Using A MIG Welder To Weld Aluminium

Whilst not an overly popular method when it comes to welding aluminium, the metal inert gas (MIG) welder, also known as a gas metal arc welder (GMAW) is still a useful skill to learn. But how does this process work?

The MIG welder generates the heat that it needs to weld metal together through an electric arc. This arc is created between the wire being fed through the welder and the aluminium metal itself. An inert gas is used to create shield (or a protective atmosphere) around the arc, preventing the metal from turning an ugly brown colour. When it comes to welding aluminium, argon is the most recommended gas to use, however, a mix of argon and helium may also work.

Before you begin MIG welding your aluminium project, the most important thing to ensure is that you have properly cleaned the metal. When it comes into contact with oxygen, the top layer of aluminium will oxidize and you will need to remove this to prevent the metal from cracking. The best way to clean aluminium is to run a stainless steel brush over the surface.

Aluminium has a low melting point and high heat conductivity, which leads to difficulties when it comes to welding. There is a fine line between having no penetration, meaning that the metal will not join, and blowing holes in the surface of your aluminium. It will take some practice to get the balance just right, so never start on your project straight away.

Welding aluminium using a MIG welder can be much harder (and less neat) then using a TIG welder, so it is always a good idea to take a class or to practice on some scrap aluminium first.

Where To Find Scrap In Australia?

If you are looking for scrap in Australia to sell on to dealers for a little bit of extra cash or to use in your own little projects and tinkerings, you may be wondering where you can find sufficient supplies of scrap metal. Really, it is all around us if you look hard enough, but these are the most common (and easiest) places to find it:

Garages and Sheds

Take a quick look through your garage and shed, and even ask your friends and family if you can have a look through theirs. This is where people generally dump their broken or unneeded appliances and equipment. Here, you are likely to find many tools and appliances that contain useful scrap metal.

Machine Businesses

When metal is machined for use in various applications, there is actually quite a bit left over that is unable to be used. The bigger companies and businesses will sell their scrap in Australia onto dealers, but many of the smaller ones will simply throw it out (they haven’t got the time or the resources to recycle or sell it on). Why not ask the owners of nearby machining businesses what they do with their scrap metal – you may be able to scavenge some.

Rubbish Dumps

Quite often, scrap in Australia ends up in the local rubbish dump. It never hurts to go to your local dump and have a look around for any scrap that is just lying around – the workers may give it to you or sell it for a small fee (depending on their scrap metal policy). Scoping out car junkyards for useful scrap in Australia is also a great idea, although this will cost you a little more.

Finding scrap in Australia is really not the difficult, especially if you know where to look. Next time you want to sell some scrap for extra cash or you want to recycle it into something else yourself, check the above places for metal first.

Which Scrap Metals Are Worth The Most?

When it comes to scrap metal, a lot of people don’t realize how much it is worth so cannot be bothered selling it on to a scrap dealer. Whilst a single can or piece of tubing is not worth very much, it is important to remember that scrap dealers pay based on weight – not the amount of metal you are bringing in.

Copper

That reddish metal that you commonly see around the house is generally worth more than any other type of scrap, depending on its quality. You can find it in household tubing, such as plumbing and wiring.

Brass

This yellow metal is generally the next highest paying scrap that you can collect. It is found in plumbing fittings, sink drains and fixtures and even doorknobs.

Aluminium

This scrap metal looks very similar to magnesium, but it can be easy to tell the difference – simply take a flame to the metal’s surface; if it ignites, it’s magnesium. Aluminium is also worth more per kilogram than magnesium.

Stainless Steel

This scrap metal is reasonably heavy, meaning you have to collect less in order to raise a profit. It is, however, the third least profitable metal to sell. You can find it in car trim, hubcaps and beer kegs.

Lead

This scrap metal is also fairly heavy, allowing you to sell less items to make some money off it. Even so, it is the second least profitable of all scrap when it comes to selling to a dealer. It is common in piping and fishing sinkers.

Iron

To find out whether your scrap metal is iron, place a magnet on it; if it sticks, you have yourself some iron. Whilst it is very heavy, it is also the least profitable metal and is commonly found in cars and pipes.