Shortening a Tweco MIG gun?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:35:40 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Shortening a Tweco MIG gun?

I want to shorten one of my spare Tweco MIG guns from a 15' to a 6'. (I'll be push-feeding 1/16' 5356.)Any tips would be welcome.
Reply:Not happening.Can't see how a 6' whip would be very useful, but if you must go that route, contact Tweco or Bernard and have them build you one.You'd be much better served just buying a spool gun.EDIT:  Didn't catch the 1/16" 5356 wire.  With this wire, you should be able to push it thru a 10' whip, which should be readily available.  To burn 1/16" 5356 you've got to have a "pretty serious" power supply.  Are you using a 4 roller feeder?  If so, how you set up your drive roll pressure can be a big factor.Last edited by SundownIII; 08-01-2010 at 02:27 PM.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallI want to shorten one of my spare Tweco MIG guns from a 15' to a 6'. (I'll be push-feeding 1/16' 5356.)Any tips would be welcome.
Reply:cut off 9 feet
Reply:farmall,I think you got some really bad advice.Can't see how a 6' whip would be at all useful.Still say a spoolgun would have been a better option.  I use a Miller 30A w/.045 wire to weld 1/4-1/2' aluminum plate all the time.1/16" wire is pretty big for 1/4" material.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:The 6' will reach fine in this particular situation. I've other guns for normal work with steel. (Auctions are great for that. I'll keep an eye out for more original Twecos now I know I can amputate a kinked section. If it isn't stupidly cheap I pass. )Already had the welders, the gun was nearly free, and (later on) the same setup will be put to use on thicker plate. Good to know a spoolgun will do 1/2" though, as I've an ST-23 too, though it only fits my Migmaster 250 at the moment. Seems like the advice was bad (guess most people who tried push feeding screwed it up) but I do need to get a push setup running for some thicker (1 to 2") plate to come, and don't mind sacrificing a cable while sorting that out. Easy enough to use the parts elsewhere if needed.Thanks again for the info.
Reply:It will be a fussy job but doable.  Convert to a plastic liner.  I worked on a shipyard project where they used Esab welders and two roll feeders with 8 foot leads.  The wire was .045 aluminum.  On such heavy plate you likely will need helium or at least a helium mix.  Keep the gun lead straight or with only a slight curve and you should be golden.
Reply:It can be shortened.  I do all the time on Tweco mig guns we repair.  As long as it has the brass block and two set screw you should not have any problems.  If you are going to push alumium wire, here are couple of tips to make it work better.1-Use a teflon liner2-Use a contact tip that is one size bigger than the wire3-tighten the drive rolls on the wire feeder so that if you stop the wire with your fingers the drive rolls slip.  4-Keep the gun as straight as possible.Of course a spoll gun is always the better option.Hope this helps.JimOAdoctorwww.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:I didn't know anyone sent out MIG guns for repair, but I'll remember you repair them if I meet anyone who needs the service. What OTHER welding equipment do you fix?My gun is back together except that my Oetiker ring clip was a bit too thick to fit. I'll scare up a thinner one this weekend. Plastic liner on order.
Reply:The clamps cost a dollar via my local Airgas. Airgas print catalog page 61, Cable Clamp 2060-2690.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallI didn't know anyone sent out MIG guns for repair, but I'll remember you repair them if I meet anyone who needs the service. What OTHER welding equipment do you fix?