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Aluminum spool gun experience (SM200N) with Power I-MIG 200 or other mig welders?
Hey all. DIY weldor here! I'm thinking of purchasing the Everlast SM200N spool gun so I can learn to weld aluminum (e.g., up to 1/8" thick). I previously purchased a Power I-MIG 200 about 7 years ago and I love it! I've flux-core, mig, and stick welded with this affordable bad boy, up to 3/8" steel with no problems whatsover. It's got a beautiful arc, when you are mig welding! Anyway, so now I'm looking forward to learning as a newbie to use a spool gun and weld aluminum for the first time. I guess I can check Jody's generic vids on weldingtipsandtricks, but just thought I would check here too if anyone has direct experience that they can share with using the SM200N or similar spool gun, and perhaps, project photos, tips, etcetera (don't know why I spelled out etc. 
) As an aside, my first project is for a buddy who likes to tinker with bicycle accessories and has an idea for a custom dog trailer for his little benji terrier pooch. He wants a primarily dog hauling trailer that he can link to the back wheel of his mountain bike, but he does not like anything he's found. So he's thinking of designing a prototype that can hold maybe up to 40 lbs -- so this potentially could be a fun prototype project for me to build for his pooch.
Agape Guy
Everlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)
Everlast SM200N Spool Gun (aluminum mig welding)
Everlast PowerArc 200 stick
Harbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy Flux
Hypertherm Powermax 30 plasma cutter
Way too many power tools
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Re: Aluminum spool gun experience (SM200N) with Power I-MIG 200 or other mig welders?
Keep in mind that spool gun operation is designed for thicker materials, and that the range of materials that you can weld with the 200 can be limited. In fact, you would be limited to .035" wire, and probably between 1/8 and 3/16" (possibly 1/4") material for best results.
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Re: Aluminum spool gun experience (SM200N) with Power I-MIG 200 or other mig welders?
Originally Posted by
lugweld
Keep in mind that spool gun operation is designed for thicker materials, and that the range of materials that you can weld with the 200 can be limited. In fact, you would be limited to .035" wire, and probably between 1/8 and 3/16" (possibly 1/4") material for best results.
Thanks for the confirmation -- good to know that I can weld 1/8" and a little thicker. That's what I'm focusing on for the rest of this year.
Agape Guy
Everlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)
Everlast SM200N Spool Gun (aluminum mig welding)
Everlast PowerArc 200 stick
Harbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy Flux
Hypertherm Powermax 30 plasma cutter
Way too many power tools
WeldingWeb Tradesman
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