Aluminum spool gun experience (SM200N) with Power I-MIG 200 or other mig welders?

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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 GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply: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.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldKeep 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.