Hi PJS,
Greatly appreciate your input. One more question. The Lincoln 175 plus has an aluminum kit for about $60, while the MM175 does not have it. Instead, the MM176 has a spoolgun for about $500 plus the control for another $200. I believe the spoolgun 3035 is much better, but I don't want to spend that extra money unless I have to. DOES THE MILLERMATIC 175 HAS A SIMILAR ALUMINUM KIT TO THAT OF THE LINCOLN FOR ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF $?
THANKS AGAIN.
What kind of gauge metal you welding? I would look into HTP welders. The web site is www.usaweld.com The price ranges you say on here are the same and they give you all the support you need. They will help you anyway they can over the phone they are excellent.
On aluminum you'll be very limited to thickness, can it be done yes but not very well. Basically the kit is a teflon or nylon liner for the torch.
Before you spend the money for a mm175 a controller and a spoolmate 3035, save a bit more cash and buy the mm210 with the spoolmate kit price should be around $1800 and I own this exact machine and it will do a superb job on 1/4" and can even do a bit thicker with practice. Plus the mm210 will have a duty cycle of 60% vs the 20% of the mm175.
Good luck,