External MIG wire feeder on an ordinary stick MMA/TIG inverter?

[karsteb]

Hi Guys.

If you have got an ordinary MMA stick or TIG inverter, would it possible to fit an external wire feeder to it so that it becomes a MIG machine as well?

It would seem a nice value proposition to start off with an ordinary DC stick welder, and then add a separate wire feed cabinet. It seems these separate cabinets generally have higher quality feeding mechanisms than the cheap MIG welders? This would make for a very nice - and perhaps both inexpensive and lightweight stick MMA/TIG/MIG combo like the high end stuff like the Aristo series from ESAB.

I see Miller has several separate wire feed units avilable. I like looks of the s-32s series http://www.millerwelds.com/products/wire_feeders/s-32s_series/

Any experiences?

 

[shenion]

It would have to be a voltage sensing feeder; most are designed for constant voltage supplies. Works best on spray-mode transfer (>180 amp.)

Even with voltage sensing, it would not work as well as with a constant voltage power source. The best option is to get a power source that does both CV and CC modes (MIG/TIG/MMA).

Your inverter will need to have a 24V power source for the Miller feeders or you will need to also buy the power adapter transformer.