welding aluminum with spoolmate / miller setup

[Tapage]

That new Lincoln is gaining a lot of popularity , Miller also has a multi-process unit for aroun $1600 new ...
Sarge

This one from lincoln seems to be much more portable and way less $$$$ Jody ( who it's completely red, therefore not impartial ) seems to love it ..

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I'm a blue guy.. but this one seems to beat for a long run the 211 I have..

POWER MIG® 210 MP Multi-Process Welder - K3963-1

That new Lincoln is gaining a lot of popularity , Miller also has a multi-process unit for aroun $1600 new ...
Sarge

I have yet to find a consumer or pro-sumer multi-process unit (MIG/TIG/Stick) that offers AC TIG capability. Pretty much all of them are DC TIG only. You CAN weld aluminum with DC Tig, but it requires pure helium, reverse polarity, and more capabilities than I currently possess.

I think you need to get into the industrial power sources so that you can get that, but the power source is typically $5000+ then you have to add the wirefeeder and MIG gun (for MIG), TIG torch, HF/LiftArc start (for TIG) capabilities separately.

 

[Weber Sarge]

The other option is to go backwards , run an old transformer ac/dc blue or red and run either scratch-start or a spool gun . Still not cheap , and those older heavy duty ac/dc welders are becoming hard to get someone to let go of , some sell for nearly new prices .
Inverters will continue to come down as tech gains are made , just steer well clear of unknown brands .
Sarge