Welding Stainless Steel & Aluminum Tubing

[RidgeRunner]

Even a thief needs the right equipment and the knowledge of how to use them to be successful. IMO if the welder was free you would still require a pipe bender, drill press, and a crash course on how to use it all. I am like you. I would love to learn how to use the Tig. I have a portable Lincoln stick welder and access to a Mig and I can put two pieces of steel together but that is about as far as it goes. I have an aquaintance that built a 24' or so aluminum cat boat and did it all with a Mig. I think you need a spool gun attachment to use the mig on aluminum. The cost of the anodized aluminum is pretty steep to be making many trial pieces too. Factor in the cost of those do-overs and it gets real expensive. The advice fo fab it up and take it to a pro seems sound to me.

[nymack66]

Thanks for all the information, I will sit tight and shop around for a deal on a used arch and modify it if I have to. I have since selected the services of a professional welder who is willing and does on the site aluminum and stainless welding for 80 an hour. To me this is worth it. I will prep everything myself so the welding time is kept to minimum.
Found a use one on craigs for 450 its 84" wide needs to be cut and welded to fit the V, however I still 2 cheap :)
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/1652660871.html

[Skools Out]

if you buy go with Miller i have both the Miller and the Lincoln, the Miller is a much better built welder an if you buy the right Miller you can TIG ,MIG or Stick with it most will even run a spool gun to use aluminum, copper, or stainless in a clean weld as long as you use 100% argon. you can use reg 70/30 or 80/20 gas but your welds will just be black and will require polishing with a wire brush and steel wool. aluminum requires alot of wire speed / feed and mid temp. stainless mid speed and mid temp. copper high speed / feed and low temp. but only buy a Miller. you will thank me later.

here's one of the Millers i have but i like my 15 yr old Miller Pro 485 better

here's the newer of my millers

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...atic_350_350p/

i have the 350P series.