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My first time on the forum  here , i have a lincoln power mig 200, new machine , id like to get it set up for aluminum , can anyone offer me some advice and help setting it up  for welding aluminum, its either getting this set up or buying a grizzly pulse tig , im welding 1/4 inch aluminum plate.   thanks , Russ.
Reply:welcome..i dont think its got enough amps for 1/4" aluminum..
Reply:You would need to buy the spool gun that fits your machine.  I think Lincoln calls it the Magnum something.   The gun probly costs in the $500-800 range, I'd guess.   You'll also need some 3/64" 4043 wire on the 4" spools, a bottle of 100% argon gas, an argon regulator/flowmeter and gas hose.You don't need pulse to tig weld aluminum, but you do want AC output with high frequency, contactor and remote capability with a gas valve and foot pedal.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Is anyone familiar with grizzly pulse tig ? i can get one for 600.00 also can i use a 225 amp lincoln buzz box for welding aluminum? im sure the lincoln powere mig 200 has enough amps to weld 1/4 in ch aluminum.I dont know about paying that much for a spool gun seems kind pricy to me
Reply:Any way you look at it, welding aluminum is NOT CHEAP.  You gotta pay to play...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:All the alum stick rods I've seen are DC only, so if it's an AC buzz box you are out of luck. Also don't expect pretty beads with alum stick. It will hold metal together, but won't be anywhere near the look of mig or tig.As far as 1/4 alum tig, you will want an AC tig machine that will go to 250 amps. My Syncro 200 really doesn't have the balls to run 1/4" despite what Miller says. That extra 50 amps makes a big difference. Also you will want a water cooled torch. Even at 3/16" I can't do very much with an air cooled torch before it's to hot to hold. All of this will up the price..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:im wondering if u could put a cobra push pull gun on that might be a little cheaper than the spool gun. might check and see. not sure." All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." Edgar Allan Poe
Reply:Push-pull guns retail for about double what spool guns typically retail for.   Used prices vary, but usually follow a percentage of retail.  Don't expect to find a used late model push-pull gun in good working condition for $500 like you see with spool guns.   Also, not all push-pull guns work with all push-pull capable feeders.  Some have a gas valve in the gun (older Cobra Gold and Cobra Gooseneck guns), some require it in the feeder (Python).  Better do your homework to see what push pull gun can connect to your machine and if it needs a control box to run it.  I know very little about Lincoln machines that way.  Miller only makes 3 migs that are push-pull direct-connect without a control box that I know of (MM252, 350, 350P) and only one feeder that is push-pull capable (the XR series).MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:thanks alot   you guys , i think ill just get a decent tig machine and be done with it.   Russ