Nylon vs Teflon Liner - any opinions

[uute]

I'd like to try MIGing some aluminum. It seems that nylon is replacing teflon liners. Do they work as well?

TIA
uute

Tweco gun.

[macona]

Nah, does not make any difference. Heck, many people use steel liners and they work just fine. The trick is to make sure your whip is as straight as possible, this goes for whatever liner you use. Also if you don't need as pretty of a weld try 5356. It is harder and bird nests less often. It is also anodizable where 4043 is not.

Also make sure you are using U-groove drive rolls. They make a big difference. They are available for almost all feeders including the little Lincoln and Miller migs.

[uute]

Thanks Macona

uute

[Alan Smith]

Can I just do a small hijack and ask is it absolutely necessary to use pure Argon for aluminium, could you get away with your standard MIG gas for the occasional job in aluminium???

[Jim Caudill]

No, for aluminum you must use an inert gas. Argon and Helium are 2 of the most popular. CO2 is not inert, it is an active gas and will aid in penetration when MIG welding steel. CO2 is cheaper than Argon but has other effects that make it less desireable for many applications (spatter, arc quality, etc). 75% Argon and 25% CO2 is one of the most common "MIG Gases" so, I am assuming that is what you meant when you said "MIG Gas". Being in the UK, your common MIG Gas may be something else. For aluminum, it must be inert.

[Alan Smith]

Jim, thanks for that. Sorry was being vague when I said MIG gas, yes you are right, argon CO2 mix here too.

So when you say CO2 is an active gas do you mean that it will have an oxidizing effect when used with aluminium? So we get aluminium oxide inclusions in the weld? Why should that be such a bad thing? Will this not just float up to the surface of the weld bead like slag???

[macona]

It will be a total mess. Even small leaks in the hose or valves can can cause issues. Even slightly contaminated bottle can make your life hell.

Pure argon is what you need.

[Alan Smith]

Thanks Macona