thanks rob, i removed the bonding tab when i set the panel up to feed from a gennie [ground fault breaker on gennie ]. my plan is to put a 100 amp breaker in the house panel and feed to a 100 amp breaker in the sub panel to power circuits in the shop. i have a run of about 60 ft to go through the basement to the shop, all indoors. the aluminum is much cheaper than the copper. plan b would be to use awg 6 to a 60 amp breaker in the sub to power everything except the buzz box and use a 40 amp breaker in the main panel for the welder. i'll have to see what is more economical.