Aluminum welding rod

DRussell · Jun 25, 2019

I bought a Century five star AC DC welder with a high frequency arc stabilizer off of Craigslist a few years ago. It came with this package of aluminum welding rod. Someone wrote AC Aluminum on the package. I can weld better with it on DCEP than on AC. Does anyone know what kind of rod this is? I included a picture of a weld I did with it. Don't judge too harshly. The slot for the tailgate chain on my bed was broken at the bottom and the back and I welded it back in place using this rod.

DRussell · Jun 25, 2019

guido · Jun 25, 2019

Hello drussell,

You did good! Aluminum stick rods are a joke. They usually are AC rods though. You can laugh at my weld. 3/32 6013, welded with a Montgomery Ward buzz box, about an hour ago, I changed the heat on the long run. Boy do I need to practice!

Guido.

hiredman56 · Jun 25, 2019

I used some similar rod to do repairs to aluminum casting. It was the filler rod for a tig. Every trip to the plate is not a home run? I did no better.

DRussell · Jun 25, 2019

The high frequency stabilizer makes a world of difference. Much easier to get the arc going with it.

T.R.K. · Jun 25, 2019

The real test of a weld is not whether it is 'pretty' but whether or not it breaks again.

Jon Erickson · Jun 25, 2019

trk, You said it perfectly!!!

SVcummins · Jun 26, 2019

I bought some aluminum rod once never could get it to strike or do anything it would Spark a little bit but that was it maybe I was trying run the wrong polarity ? Didn?t matter all I had was an ac welder anyway so I ended up taking the part to town and getting it welded right

unc · Jun 26, 2019

You done good. That is a very difficult electrode to use. A couple of tiny suggestions- warm up the rods before use to drive off any moisture, and preheat the material to be welded if you can. Good job. unc

M-MAN · Jun 26, 2019

I ended up with a glob when I tried it. Had a hard time just moving the rod down fast enough much less moving it sideways to lay a bead.

DRussell · Jun 26, 2019

If it breaks again I know the guy who welded it this time. I'm pretty sure he'll weld it again.

DRussell · Jun 26, 2019

I believe aluminum rod is recommended to run on AC because you get the cleaning action on AC current. I couldn't get a stable arc on AC, but could go right along on DC. DC gives you a stable current and you get the cleaning action with the electrode on positive.

dr sportster · Jun 26, 2019

For how bad that rod usually works you did a good repair.

DRussell · Jun 26, 2019

Thanks. I started out about 110 amps on DCEP, but that was burning away too much base material. Dropped down to about 80 amps to finish.

SVcummins · Jun 26, 2019

drussell I?ll have to buy some more and see if I can make it run

Stephen Newell · Jun 26, 2019

I've often wondered how it would work to feed it with argon from a wire feed welder while using the stick rod. I've got a little wire feed welder which doesn't produce enough amps to weld anything thicker than 1/16" but I do have a larger stick welder that would.

teddy52food · Jun 27, 2019

They work good puddling with the acetylene torch.

Brad Buchanan · Jul 10, 2019

Tried them a few times over the years and have come to the conclusion
that their best use is to bend the ends and use them for hanging things
while spray painting.

I get along pretty nice welding al with dc mig.

Brad

Aluminum welding rod

DRussell

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DRussell

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guido

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hiredman56

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DRussell

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T.R.K.

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Jon Erickson

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SVcummins

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unc

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