> I was looking for a 115 volt welder with Aluminum welding capability,
> one that I could move around for odd jobs. Ive never used a wire
> welder and I think Ill have to fly Jim Aos down to teach me how. My
> 220 volt stick welder that is at least 40 years old isnt portable. It
> is so non-portable that the wheels have rotted off of it.
John, It has been my experience that the 240 volt will produce a more
controlled arc, than the 115. Also the best way to wire weld aluminum is
with a spool gun setup. It pushes the flexible aluminum it a straight line
for about a foot. The other type is trying to push much farther and usually
in curves that cause for increased resistance. I have had success with
aluminum stick electrodes, and gas welding with either the flux inside the
rod, (like solder) or added in the form of powder.
Jim, after getting my Italian 115V MIG ripped off and replacing it with a
240V unit(also Italian, but for $179 I could *not* pass it up), I agree
whole-heartedly. I'm a much better welder with it, with no extra
practice(which means none). Hofs got himself an almost-rare-enough steak at
Tulare courtesy of the new machine and a bunch of squirt-gun welds. BTW,
MIG welding outside in the rain was entertaining :) I have also become a
fan of flux core wire for outside in the wind with this unit, after having
a fairly miserable experience with it on the 115V.