Welding aluminum with Lincoln 100SG spool gun?

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I have been eyeing the Lincoln power mig 140c and thinking about getting the Magnum 100SG spool gun so that I could weld up aluminum dog boxes and sell them to hunters every now and again. I would just get a TIG machine but I have no experience with TIG at this point in time. I think it would be nice to have a MIG welder that I can run on any 20amp outlet in my house and still have the ability to weld on aluminum using the spool gun accessory. Has anyone used this thing? I trust the Lincoln brand but it would be nice to hear from someone that has used it firsthand and knows it's strengths and weaknesses?
Reply:I have one.  Used it on 180cc and a 216.  Works well.  I use it on 11g to 1/4". A couple of weeks ago I welded some <16 g ally on a dog trailer skin repair.  It welded well on where broke/braked sections came together but flat flat butt joints were troublesome with burn through.  I ended tig welding the repair rather than fine tune to see if the butt we'll could happen. Only issue I had initially, several years ago was a loose lug in the machine.  It caused arcing inside the machine and erratic feed at the spool gun, burnback and ruind tips.  So, make sure everything is tight.  The spool gun usage is straight forward if your machine has the capacity.
Reply:I saw that same issue recently with a Lincoln MIG at a shop I was working at. I probably should have asked this in the initial post but how cumbersome was that spool gun? Was the motion more or less the same as a regular MIG gun? I really need to get a crash course in TIG at some point.
Reply:If all set up well, then moving, control and manipulation becomes easy. Have had mine for 10 yrs .  have run about 6 rolls of 4043 through it.  No gun issues. After arc issue was taken care of tip consumption went way down.
Reply:Great, thank you for telling me what I needed to hear. I plan on getting the MIG machine anyhow so I may as well get the spool gun and see what I can do with it. Thanks again.
Reply:You will be limited to less than 1/8" aluminum with a 110 welder I would think. Takes a lot more power to weld aluminum than steel.  I've never tried it with a 110 welder, but I don't think they have enough juice to do it.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:You are going to need a dedicated 30amp circuit to run the 140 and Aluminum as it will take all the juice it has.If you really want to make a go at AL dog boxes you should really move up to a 240v machine.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Gah! That is not good news. I really wanted the 110v. I didn't realize that welding on the aluminum would push the machine that far. Thanks for letting me know, better to find out now.
Reply:Who's kidding who?   Don't do it.  As a former owner of the 140c, I can tell you that for aluminum, you will only want to commit suicide, punch your wife, or kick your dog in frustration.    Okay, that was cruel of me.   You actually won't want to kick your dog.  You will need a 240v mig welder at minimum if you plan on building things like you mentioned.  Save up a few bucks and get a descent 240v machine.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Yes I trust the advice I get here especially when it comes to equipment and what works/doesn't. I'm not happy to get such news because I have to spend more but that's the way it goes I guess.
Reply:Kevin,at least this is one of those times where spending the money does make sense and you do get a lot more machine for not that much more money The 140c is $755.00 that is a lot of money for a 120v machine.The 180C is only $878.00$123.00 difference BUT the 180c is so much more capable.You can save mo' money iffin' you go with a Hobart 190. Northern Tool has the HH190 WITH spool gun $849.99Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:This what I did with the Lincoln Magnum 100 SG powered by a Lincoln 180 Power Mig (has tap settings). I went straight for the max setting.
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsThis what I did with the Lincoln Magnum 100 SG powered by a Lincoln 180 Power Mig (has tap settings). I went straight for the max setting.
Reply:I'm usually a Lincoln guy but I'll look into the reviews on that Hobart with the spool gun. Thanks.
Reply:Thanks Broc, that looks like the spool gun will work well for what I want to do.
Reply:I temporally retired my 180c for a used hobart 210 with spool gun.  Ended up selling the 210 after a few months and going back with the 180c.  I never thought I had a preference, but I really prefer the lincoln arc more than the amps for what I do. I initially got it for the extra amps and it is definatey more forceful than the 180.  I ended up fufilling my actual needs with a lincoln  216 for higher duty cycle at low end amps.Good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1I believe yours- tapped machine- is the PRO Mig.