Miller Spool Gun 100?

[2CRUZ]

Hey Fellas
I have a Millermatic 211 and I would like to try my hand at welding alumunem.
I have thought about buying a Miller Spool Gun 100. I am a hobbie welder I do some small welding projects for the neighbors for free to help them out. Does any one use one of these and what are the pros and cons would you recomend this spool gun accsesory?
Thanks Guys
Mike

 

[toolman1967]

I have that setup and have to admit that the spoolgun is harder than it looks. I watched all the videos and bought quality components but still melted tips very fast. After a lot of practice, I am getting better with the spoolgun but have to admit that I normally just get out my TIG welder and use that. For the thicker metal the spoolgun works OK but the TIG ALWAYS works better.

For the record, I have the Miller 211 with the 100 amp spoolgun and a Miller Syncrowave 200 TIG welder.

Tim the Toolman

 

[atari]

I have a 211 and the spool gun. It's really the only way to mig aluminum. I have not used the spool gun as of yet, I have only bad the machine for a month or so. You should check out weldingweb!

 

[Jack Olsen]

MIG's utility with aluminum is limited. It's not good for thinner (less than 14 ga) stock, and how thick you can go will be limited by the power of your machine.

 

[zkling]

What do you want to do with it? Be specific on material thickness and application please.

Keep in mind that you will also need a bottle of straight Argon.

 

[2CRUZ]

I was wanting to do a little project with some 1 in. alumenim tubing. What do you think?

 

[zkling]

What's the wall thickness on the aluminum tubing?

 

[2CRUZ]

I don't know. I haven't bought it yet. I guess what ever the heviest gage standard thickness is.

 

[kellymc]

I have the spool gun as well on my autoset 180. Like the other poster, I too had difficulty with the wire welding to the tip of the gun. I then converted the spool gun to utilize standard mig tips and that really eliminated the problem. I think the "special" tips for the spool gun are do not have enough metal on them and they quickly heat up causing the wire to melt before it leaves the tip of the spool gun.

 

[bd8134]

I have a spool gun on a 211. It certainly is more difficult to weld aluminum than steel. I did get some reasonable welds but I think I need to practice more.

 

[2CRUZ]

Would you guys recomend buying one?

 

[holdover]

I would save for a TIG welder, then you can do it a lot better, over a wide range. I personally would not buy the spool gun. I have access to one but the TIG does a much better job

 

[zkling]

I would save for a TIG welder, then you can do it a lot better, over a wide range. I personally would not buy the spool gun. I have access to one but the TIG does a much better job

Spool guns shine in moderately thick, long straight runs of aluminum. Or where aluminum needs to be built up quickly. I would much rather have a small (~175amp) ac/dc tig machine than a spool gun. I have toyed with the idea of getting a spool gun for my mig, but never could justify the cost. I then lucked into my Syncrowave 250 for less than what a spool gun costs.

I have ran a spool gun quite a bit though. Again, it is a pretty specific tool, not really well suited to welding small square tubing for fab like you are talking. Could you? Probably with lots of practice, it is a very high travel rate process.

If you have ever wanted a tig, now is the time. Usually you can get setup with an older (heavy and high amps input) unit for <$800-1000. Less if you are lucky. That would be the best way to go IMHO.

 

[bd8134]

Maybe it depends on how much welding you will be doing in aluminum. The spool gun does a reasonable job, it might not be as pretty as with a TIG but maybe that is ok. Buying a TIG would be an expensive route, maybe a local welder to do those jobs would work.
Maybe you could call a few shops and see if you can try one out yourself.
Not sure where you are but you are welcome to try mine.
Interesting about the wire melting on the tip, I increased wire speed and bumped up the gas pressure to try and get round the issue. Not sure if that was correct approach. I will have to read the book more before I try again.
Good luck.

 

[2CRUZ]

Thanks Guys for taking the time to answer my questions.. I think I'll do a little more research into the spool gun before I buy one..

Thanks again
Mike

 

[kellymc]

Where are you located? I'm in Northern Ca and would be willing to let you try my spool gun to see if it will work for you.

Kelly