I'm probably going to be welding on a variety of thicknesses, but mostly thicker stuff. I'll be using it for my own personal projects for enjoyment, such as pedal cars, building a bed frame, or whatever other crazy ideas pass my mind. I prefer aluminum because as I said, while it is still comparibly strong, it is also light and while it does oxidize, I don't have to worry about rust.
You make a good point about the spool gun and such upping the cost, which is something I didn't necessarily foresee. As far as lugging the cylinder around, that doesn't concern me as much. I imagine I could weld up a MIG cart pretty quick that will bolt everything down tight.
I know TIG is the preferred for aluminum, but even with the cost of a spool gun, the MIG is almost always considerably cheaper even in 220, and I don't have to have access to a water or air cooling hookup to run a MIG. MIG is faster, and easier to work with. I'm just learning TIG in school and it's taking me quite a bit of time to learn, while I picked up arc, MIG, and even acetylene pretty fast. I wish I'd have spent more time on the acetylene, as it is very closely related to TIG.
I guess basically I'm looking for a money question here. Down the line I'd like to be able to afford a better machine, and even maybe a TIG at some point. Right now, all I have is a little 90 amp flux core welder that only runs .30 and won't even let me hookup a bottle. If I were to buy a cheap 110V true MIG, that advertises it'll run aluminum, am I wasting my money or will it get me by for a while?
Mathius
Yes, you would be wasting your money on the 110 machine. This is especially true if you'll be welding mostly on the thicker stuff. The 220 machines are not that much more expensive than the 110 but give you a much broader capability. Gaining access to a 220 circuit shouldn't be that difficult. Unless you're running completely on gas, most homes are wired for a clothes dryer, or oven which is good for running the welder. Just get yourself a good extension cord. I am really pushing the settings on my Millermatic 175 (220v) when I weld 1/8" and 3/16" aluminum, I can't see the 110v unit doing very well.
BTW, although Lincoln claims that just changing out the gun liner with a teflon one will be sufficient for welding aluminum, do yourself a favor and get the spool gun setup. Aluminum wire is far too soft to push 10 ft through the gun no matter what liner you have. The spool gun also gives you a little more reach when doing steel work too since it's 25 feet instead of just 10 like most regular MIG guns. (i.e. it's good for doing a pipe rack on the truck). Also, if aluminum is your main goal, consider stepping up to a larger machine like the Millermatic 210 or equivalent. This machine can take a spool gun directly without the need for a separate spool gun controller which would run you extra. You can also have both guns connected at the same time and just choose which one you want to use by pulling the trigger.
I hope that helps you out. I do understand the money issue, but you are asking the same questions about aluminum that I did when I bought my MIG machine. I thought that I could "get by" with my MIG set up for aluminum. Long story short, I'm now practicing my TIG with my Dynasty 200DX. Aluminum with MIG is meant to be done on thick material in production environments. If you get like me and want to do sheet aluminum fabrication, then TIG is the only good solution. It is slower and harder to learn than MIG, but the end product is usually a higher quality.
I know that I tend to recommend the higher priced solutions, but see as how you are in welding school and should have some pretty good skills in a little while I figured it would be worthwhile for you to explore more options since you'll be able to take advantage. Sometimes waiting a little while and saving a little more money for a better machine is better in the long run. Too many times, people buy the small machine cause they can afford it only to plan on "upgrading" later which usually costs more in the long run. BTW, have you asked your welding instructor his/her thoughts on this?
I have yet to ask my welding instructor his thoughts on this. We had a break because of Thanksgiving. I'm fairly certain he runs MIG aluminum at home, and uses the TIG for aluminum in class, so he may have some helpful tidbits on this.
I appreciate your help, and I'm not at all discouraged that you told me to wait and save my money. Throwing away money is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.
Thanks,
Mathius