1/4" aluminum and the LS-160P

[mobilechernobyl]

Can the LS-160P handle welding 3/16" walled aluminum tube in a fillet weld position?
What about 1/4" aluminum for 6" of cumulative T, Butt, and Corner welds at a time, and would it be able to weld about 6" of material in this fashion without stopping for cooling in the 6" period. I will most likely not be welding thicker than 1/4" either, but is the machine comfortable doing up to this thickness?

I just don't want to overwork an underpowered machine if I don't have to, but being that it will never be used for thicker material than 1/4" aluminum, and 3/16" steel (at the extreme ends of thickeness) I would like to be able to save money knowing that the LS-160P can handle everything I will be welding.

I will typically be using it on 1/16"- 1/8" steel, and 1/8"- 3/16" aluminum to give a general idea of the machine capabilities i will need. I've used 200Amp Miller and Lincoln models in the past, and have never needed the full 200Amps for aluminum, and nowhere close to it for steel. If the LS-160P can handle what I will be welding (and not exceed it's duty cycle) I would rather buy it than the LS-200P and save the money towards other metal working supplys.

Also with the LS-160P is the 60% duty cycle true or have people found it to be more/less?

Thanks, look to be ordering a machine in the next upcoming week or so

[mobilechernobyl]

Answered my own quesions haha.

Nice weld setup calculator for anyone that hasn't seen it yet.

http://www.millerwelds.com/education/ca ... ulator.php

I will still probably get the 160P based on the calculators output, and the fact that now that I think of it, I will never be doing 1/4" aluminum with this machine haha.

Can't wait to fire 'er up.

[junes]

nope you wont be doing any 1/4. 1/8 is about the max and that about it. YOu would be lucky to get a puddle even with pre heat at only 160 amps on 1/4 sorry bout the bad news.

[jbman45]

You sort of did answer your own question by checking the calculators. 1/4 inch aluminum takes a lot of heat. I use a ls200P and have never had it go into over heat or over current and shut down. 1/4 steel of course is no problem; but 1/4 aluminum I have welded and it does take all the machine has, full power; but never shuts down. so ifyou think you will be doing any thicker metals you really should have a 200amp machine; probably don't need the 250 but anything less than 200 you won't be happy with.

[junes]

There is really no way you can adequately weld 1/4" aluminum with 200 amps and no pre heat. Even then you are going to need a lot of bevel for proper fusion into the base metal.