Tacking AL with HH175

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Hi everyoneI have an HH175.  I know this machine does not have the guts to actually make a structural weld on AL, but what are your thoughts on using it to tack a project.  The reason I ask is because I have a friend who has a tig that I can use to weld it, but he lives about an hour away, so I would like to tack it all together at my place, and then only have to make one trip.  Before I go get an argon tank, and the wire and liner and stuff, I was hoping for your input.  Thanks. Chris
Reply:You can probably get a decent weld up to 1/8"-3/16" thickness but you will find that it is a real PITA to use the new liner, etc. in your MIG setup. The setup has to be as straight as possible or it will birdcage at the rollers. 5356 is "stiffer" than 4043 filler wire and will work better but requires more heat and creates more spatter.Maybe it is time to upgrade? If you do, buy something that you can directly plug in a spoolgun without having to buy an expensive adapter, etc. A spoolgun is really the only (economical) way to go when MIG welding Alum.Good Luck!MM252 w/30AMM140 w/o AS w/SM100 w/CO2TA ArcMaster 185 TIG/StickTA 85 TIG/Stick LunchboxHobart (Miller) AirForce 625Hobart AirForce 250ciVictor O/A (bored)Lincoln Patriot AutoShade (freebie)45ACP for those stubborn jobs...