Question for Mig welding experts

[Lhorn]

Just bought a Nice Miller 220 welder. Can this thing weld aluminum without a spool gun? Can I weld stainless with the Ar/co2 gas I have? I've seen a lot of cheaper welders advertise that they can weld aluminum, so I kinda thought it would be no problem for this one.
Anything else I have to do (different gas, etc) differently to weld aluminum or stainless (diamond plate etc).

 

[buickpower]

It may be able to weld aluminum, it's just that the spool is nice because the aluminum wire is rather weak and can "bird's nest" inside of the feed line since it has to be pushed a long way inside and often not in a very straight line.

 

[QuickWrench]

What buickpower said is right on...

Be SURE to follow Miller's recommendations on spooled wire for aluminum. Believe me, it sucks HARD when you're attempting to bead a production piece, and the wire snags the inside of the feed line.

...not that I've had that happen, or anything...

I'm not sure if you'd be able to use a CO2 mix for SS. It would depend on the alloy, thickness, desired penetration, etc. Check with Miller, they'll help you out. MIG'ing SS is enough of a b!tch as-is...

g'luck

 

[Lhorn]

Thanks for the replies. I may get some aluminum and give it a try. Luckily I don't have very high expectations.