- Thread starter W.olly
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Tiggy_dorset
It looks just like a bought one!
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They are particularly useful when mig welding Aluminium (I have a spool gun myself). The shorter distance travel (ie. from the gun to job rather than machine to job) stops the soft aluminuim birds nesting at the feed rollers. There is less wastage if a birds nest does occur. Believe me, aluminuim mig welding can be a PITA without a spool gun.
I have a couple of the small reels of steel wire that im tempted to use up in the spool gun rather than from the machine, as again there will be less wastage if im changing between different reels.
I have a couple of the small reels of steel wire that im tempted to use up in the spool gun rather than from the machine, as again there will be less wastage if im changing between different reels.
Tiggy_dorset
It looks just like a bought one!
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- Weymouth, Dorset, UK
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=32416
This is a link to one of my threads when experimenting with Mig ali. It may be of some interest to you. A forum search will likely produce more information on spool guns etc.
Have fun and we all look forward to some pics
This is a link to one of my threads when experimenting with Mig ali. It may be of some interest to you. A forum search will likely produce more information on spool guns etc.
Have fun and we all look forward to some pics
W.olly
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Thanks for the link Tiggy, i see the difference aswell, i think its worth me spending the £60 or so ponhd extra and get a spool gun, i was going to get a AC welder for all, dont think its needed now.
I hope to pick the rig up next week after the bank holiday, i will get pics etc of the progress, looking forward to a decent welder.
I hope to pick the rig up next week after the bank holiday, i will get pics etc of the progress, looking forward to a decent welder.
aametalmaster
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I run steel wire in my spoolgun all the time welding on trucks and the extra long cable helps the higher welds. The only problem is i wore out a set of feed rollers with the steel. So now i have 2 sets the wore out ones for steel and new ones for alum...Bob
Tiggy_dorset
It looks just like a bought one!
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- Weymouth, Dorset, UK
Preference for Ali would be using Tig, Im sure most would agree. Unfortunately AC Tig isnt an option for a lot of people which is where Mig becomes an option to get by with. If I had the option, I would prefer the Tig route myself.
W.olly
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The new rig is a 3in1 Thermadyne 181i, but a DC, i cant afford a AC/DC, i am wacked paying for this, i dont think i will be doing much ally, but good to know i can when i need to.
Just been lookig at spool guns, i have seen them at around the £80, then £500
Which type did you use if you dont mind me asking.
Just been lookig at spool guns, i have seen them at around the £80, then £500
Which type did you use if you dont mind me asking.
Tiggy_dorset
It looks just like a bought one!
- Messages
- 1,970
- Location
- Weymouth, Dorset, UK
The new rig is a 3in1 Thermadyne 181i, but a DC, i cant afford a AC/DC, i am wacked paying for this, i dont think i will be doing much ally, but good to know i can when i need to.
Just been lookig at spool guns, i have seen them at around the £80, then £500
Which type did you use if you dont mind me asking.
Im in the same situation with only a DC Tig and I use the Mig as a get me by for Ali.
This is the torch I have:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIG-TORCH...679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c65c8b62f
Luckily for me I bought mine virtually unused from another forum member here for a cheaper price.
I had to modify it slightly, a different plug and install a socket and switch to my welder, but my machine wasnt originally designed to take the torch. It looks very plasticy on the outside, but the gubbins inside look pretty well made.
The only small issue I had was a stuttering wire feed. I realised that the spool tension was too tight restricting the feed. Realeasing it enough to run smooth meant that I couldnt close the lid. I got around this by swapping the tensioner nut from my mig welder onto the spool gun. Worked a treat as the welder nut had a shorter shoulder length. The original spool gun nut also works a treat on my mig welder
I have never used one of those £300/400 guns
so I cannot compare, but I am happy with my cheapo 