Cheap spool gun. Any good?

[Exuptoy]

As I have the portamig, would this Aluminium spool gun be anygood for ali welding?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIG-TORCH...920?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257ceb85b0

Anyone tried similar?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Tbh Lyn, I think the lack of user reviews would probably put me off.
It seems ridiculously cheap and I wonder if there's a good reason why?
Saying that, it's only the price of a night out and if it's rubbish you could float it back in the bay of E, there'll always be someone who'll buy it.

 

[mike 109444]

Does the portamig have the extra socket for it?
Note it's spec says 12v again what does the portamig feed it's feed motor? 24v maybe?
Have looked at thoes guns myself and thought they dont look much different than some of the very expensive ones.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I have the same one, I bought off a member from here. I have used it a few times on ali and steel (gasless wire). If I remember right, I had to make a small modification. I couldnt close the cover without tightening the spool nut to a limit where it was overtight and made the feed pulsate. I swapped with a nut from my mig welder which gave me more adjustment movement. Now it runs smoothly, I am quite pleased with it now. A good tool to have in your arsenal.

Maybe mine was just a glitch, others might be fine.

Compared to most guns being in the region of £250+, I would say its well worth the money.

Oh yes....I did have to wire in a new socket and switch to my welder for the feed motor connection.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Have looked at thoes guns myself and thought they dont look much different than some of the very expensive ones.

I agree, some of the expensive guns look just as cheap and plasticy as the gun in question.

 

[mike 109444]

Can we look forward to a review then Exuptoy

 

[zardoz]

Does the portamig have the extra socket for it?
Note it's spec says 12v again what does the portamig feed it's feed motor? 24v maybe?
Have looked at thoes guns myself and thought they dont look much different than some of the very expensive ones.

No the Portamig 185 that i have has no extra socket. That one will not fit. I enquired about it myself a while back. I was reliably informed that for small jobs I'd be better with using my MIG torch and:

1) 1.0mm wire (is stiffer, so less chance of wire feed issues; use 5356 grade, again, stiffer

2) Aluminium feed roller (U shaped slot if you can get it)

3) slightly oversize tips.(1.1 or 1.2mm )

4) Teflon torch liner.

Steve from Weldequip can advise you and supply what you need.

here is the tutorial page

 

[gordon stephenson]

Those spool guns have been listed for quite a while,Definitely very cheap if they are any good,Am I correct in thinking that switching to spool gun on the welder just transfers the feed motor voltage to the spool gun and the speed control is still adjusted on the welder panel? I see they are based in Blackburn, I might just call in to have a look at them in a couple of weeks when I'm there to look after my daughters farm while she is on her hols.

 

[Exuptoy]

Cheers for the info guys.

Mike, not sure as I couldn't bring myself to scar my dearly beloved Portamigs deep luscious paint......ahem not sure what just came over me.

 

[zardoz]

Cheers for the info guys.

Mike, not sure as I couldn't bring myself to scar my dearly beloved Portamigs deep luscious paint......ahem not sure what just came over me.

Thats the conclusion I came to as well

I suppose we had better get saving for one of those all singing all dancing AC/DC TIGS eh?

 

[Exuptoy]

Thats the conclusion I came to as well

I suppose we had better get saving for one of those all singing all dancing AC/DC TIGS eh?

Don't..... I'm, running out of space now! Although since starting rebuilding the VW T2 my tool collection has grown considerable.

Portamig, Plasma cutter, new makita grinder, bosch 110 volt die grinder (evil bit of kit), clamps, clicos, intergrips, and the list continues.

 

[mike 109444]

Don't..... I'm, running out of space now! Although since starting rebuilding the VW T2 my tool collection has grown considerable.

Portamig, Plasma cutter, new makita grinder, bosch 110 volt die grinder (evil bit of kit), clamps, clicos, intergrips, and the list continues.

Run it via a dimmer switch (there was a post on here somewhere someone had madup a little unit) Variable power!

 

[zardoz]

Run it via a dimmer switch (there was a post on here somewhere someone had madup a little unit) Variable power!

What are die grinders actually for anyway ? I have to admit i dont actually know All i know is that air run ones need a lot of LPM throughput.

and whats this dimmer unit idea? Sounds interesting if nothing else.

 

[Exuptoy]

What are die grinders actually for anyway ? I have to admit i dont actually know All i know is that air run ones need a lot of LPM throughput.

and whats this dimmer unit idea? Sounds interesting if nothing else.

It's that monster on the lower left of this pic. Combined with a carbide cutter it's real nasty and rips metal down.

The GGS-27L has a no load speed or 27,000 rpm!!! The GGS-7 is variable 3k-7k rpm.

http://www.toolstop.co.uk/bosch-ggs27l-die-grinder-110v-p4249

 

[mike 109444]

Make sure the dimmer is rated high enough for the power tool being supplied

 

[Exuptoy]

It's 600watts Mike.

 

[mike 109444]

Something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plastic-W...al_Electrical_Fittings_MJ&hash=item4a95cf55e8
Bit pricey though.

 

[Exuptoy]

Nice idea Mike. Cheers.

I'm sure I could remove the switch from the face plate and incorporate a tough case to extend it's life a little.

 

[mike 109444]

I use a 240v router but power it from a 110v transformer (yellow box type) using a patch lead I made up. Drops the speed and power to a safer/quieter level. Able then to use the 6mm shank flap wheels which are usually so poorly made that they don't run very true. If you got yourself a second 110v transformer (assume you have one!) then you could do same for the price of a 110 plug + 1foot cable + 240v socket. link togeather to get 55v to you die grinder.

 

[mike 109444]

Bit like this