[Farmwelding]

My school has a Millermatic 211, the model before the current 211, and my teacher has assigned me to set up a spoolmatic 100. I set it up with .030" wire and it feeds well until I actually start welding. When I pull the trigger and start the arc the wire just almost stops and is similar to a very slow pulse mig, except with little arcing. I have the ground properly done and argon gas, but it doesn't want to lay out a bead. Any help would be appreciated. Also, is there a certain angle or method to a spoolgun?

[thatoneguy]

What gas are you using? Voltage and wire speed? Thickness of material? Position?

[soutthpaw]

Start with your wire speed maxed out, This stops you melting into the tip. Then adjust your wire speed so the aluminum is not stubbing into the joint. Hold about 5/8 inch standoff. Aluminum used a bigger standoff than steel. Wire should vaporize before it hits the puddle, but you want to be able to see the solid wire for at least a 1/4 inch from the tip while welding.

Sent from mobile. Not responsible for Typos

[Farmwelding]

Straight Argon and whatever settings were on the panel for 1/8" aluminum.

[thatoneguy]

Straight Argon and whatever settings were on the panel for 1/8" aluminum.

I would say what southpaw said... Max out the wire speed and dial it back from there.

[Backsheddave]

If the above advise doesn't work, check the gun tip size. if you are using .030 wire you want to use a .035 tip because as the aluminium wire heats up, it expands in size. This could then slow your wire feed speed.