spool guns

[rusty69bus]

i take it that basically all a spool gun is, is a wire fire connected to a trigger mechanisuim.
having just pulled apart a monomig 101(perfectly working) this looks like something that could be made fairly easily.
euro fitting would be a good idea just for gas and power connections,then pull apart torch and lead,insert geared wire feed and add a reel holder, then using sticky backed plastic and tape connect back together.

 

[bc30se]

by the way, can I use a spool gun on a regular welder with an euro slot?

 

[zardoz]

This pic is a spool gun often used for alluminium wire. Equipment for handling softer Ally wire, must be adapted to handle the softer aluminum wire and machine settings that normally work fine for steel may not work. Also aluminum wire can be damaged by equipment set-up for steel wire

 

[runnach]

This pic is a spool gun often used for alluminium wire. Equipment for handling softer Ally wire, must be adapted to handle the softer aluminum wire and machine settings that normally work fine for steel may not work. Also aluminum wire can be damaged by equipment set-up for steel wire

Looks similar if not the same one I have, and yes, with a euro socket to boot. Although the are the biz, they can still be problematic till you get used to them, suss out their idiosyncrasies! I do like the fact you have wire feed control at your fingertips, very handy as the wire gets less on the spool, spool gets lighter, and of course wire speed increases, easy to adjust stubbing while in the process of laying down a run of weld.

 

[aametalmaster]

very handy as the wire gets less on the spool, spool gets lighter, and of course wire speed increases,

Wow finally someone that thinks like me . I said the exact thing a few years back on another forum and people thought i was an idiot for thinking that the wire speed increased as the spool was running down. Thanks...Bob

 

[runnach]

Wow finally someone that thinks like me . I said the exact thing a few years back on another forum and people thought i was an idiot for thinking that the wire speed increased as the spool was running down. Thanks...Bob

There are many clever people from all walks of life using/contributing to numerous forums, strange how some people just don't get the obvious! Welding is not just about watching weld pool, one also has to anticipate while laying down a bead, certainly with al/al using either spool & gun, or normal large reel, same applies as wire gets less on spool, one has to anticipate reducing wire feed, with s&g, it is easy, as you have the wire control at your finger tips.

Actually same applies across the spool material range, just not as obvious as al/al.

I'm curious Bob, is it a good thing to be thinking like you

Cheers............

 

[shenion]

Sounds like a cheap spool gun

Should feed the same regardless of spool diameter. Then again I have seen some poor designs that set the motor current instead of controlling the motor RPM with proper feedback.

 

[gavuk]

I'm curious ,having never used a spool gun ,is it heavy and cumbersome ?or is it well balanced?...how is wire controlled at gun ,rotary or trigger?......many thanks

 

[runnach]

Sounds like a cheap spool gun

Should feed the same regardless of spool diameter. Then again I have seen some poor designs that set the motor current instead of controlling the motor RPM with proper feedback.

I have used at least 3 makes of s/g over the years, all industry standard, one specific type was all singing and dancing. Specifically purchased to do internal work on Trident nuke subs. All do/did the same as spool weight gets less, my own thoughts are, finding the fine line of having close to perfect tension on feeder, I reckon one tends to edge on the + side. Could be one reason for this phenomena?

Cheers.............

 

[runnach]

I'm curious ,having never used a spool gun ,is it heavy and cumbersome ?or is it well balanced?...how is wire controlled at gun ,rotary or trigger?......many thanks

Hi Gav, obviously heavier than a norm mig gun, but manageable. Cumbersome: this depends on the task in hand. If doing internal stuff, of course there are access limitations. All in all though, less hassle if bird nesting occurs, also very handy for large area work, for example: homer for a farmer (price doubled at hearing poor farmer) he wanted his coo transporter floor relined with new 3mm al/al checker plate, now this was a max length coo t/porter. Single phase cebora mig inside the trailer, I only had to move the machine once, having a 5mtr whip made the job a dawdle!!

Wire speed is controlled at gun, rotary control, one I have at the moment is # 1>10

 

[aametalmaster]

I have 2 spool guns and have used at least 3 other brands in my 30 years of doing alum and with mine i notice the spool getting faster as the wire runs out. Prob why i noticed on mine is that its open and i can see it and all the others have been closed with a cover. I did some tests and it really runs faster when half full or half empty as the joke goes. And thinking like me isn't bad i guess Some spool guns feel better in my hand and i can tell when i have a 2# spool of steel wire loaded vrs a 1# spool of alum and some guns are more cumbersome but it also depends on the position and the size of the job for the heavier guns. Mine if fairly light but it does all the jobs i can give it...Bob

 

[gavuk]

(price doubled at hearing poor farmer)

probably a few poor ones about now,after bse,free-range chicken campaign.milk quota's and cheap imports.still yet to meet one ......many thanks for reply runnach .only welded stainless and steel never alluminium ,might set up a mig give it a go ,as i couldn't justify spending the extra for an ac/dc tig,i went for dc only ,no regrets as yet but you never know

 

[Wozzaaah]

Gav, next time you're over here I'll set my Butters up with my ali kit and you can have a play, either that or you could borrow my wire and teflon liner and get yourself a disposable argon just to try it out.

 

[gavuk]

Thanks wozz,,i'm halfway there ,got disposable and full size argon even bought alloy wire in a moment of madness,never had alloy sheet to try it on ,was hoping to scrounge out of my m8's scrappy but forgot because of the cylinders we were collecting ,........might scrounge some of your offcuts though ,not sure if sealey 130 is man enough but has got plastic liner,would that be too sticky?...

 

[Wozzaaah]

Doh, of course you've got argon , should have remembered that seeing as I picked it up for you .
(Old age doesn't come alone mate )

Worth a try with the sealey, if it is a bit sticky devizes steel sell teflon liners, that's where I got mine from .

 

[gavuk]

ha ha ,they are all on holiday this week (devizes)give me a shout when zander can get to yours ,,i'll bring the folder ,check out your steel bender meet zander .mini eyeball if you and zander up for it ?

 

[runnach]

still yet to meet one ......many thanks for reply runnach .only welded stainless and steel never alluminium ,might set up a mig give it a go ,as i couldn't justify spending the extra for an ac/dc tig,i went for dc only ,no regrets as yet but you never know

I had no qualms when I went to his front door to price the job, one big long wheel base landi, Subaru and, the missus 4x4 beamer (X5) for the schools run!! He was gutted, I slept well but, he did get a excellent job done!

Definitely have a go at the al/al, it is not a mysterious material to weld, just requires practise and patience.

Cheers.........