Quote Originally Posted by Rambozo View Post
It depends on the thickness of the wire and the particular machine. A spool gun is typically a more trouble free MIG solution. There are also push-pull systems where in addition to the push drive rollers in the unit, there are pull drive rollers in the gun. The big problem is that aluminum wire is soft, so it can bind up easier, and the drive rollers can't grip it as well as steel.

For SMAW you can use E4043 electrodes, but be prepared for a little sticker shock. Standard E7018 rods are around $2.90 a pound while E4043 from the same source is $33.24 a pound.

WOW! The reason I was asking about the aluminum weld is that I am an amateur radio operator, (HAM), and I like making antennas which, of course, are made from aluminum tubing and square aluminum booms. I can buy a 7 foot x 2 inch square aluminum boom for that price so what makes these rods so expensive?