Need Feeder vs. Spool Gun input.

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Hey everyone looking for some input. I want to pick up some type of a feeder for my TB302. I'm really leaning towards a spool gun setup unless someone can convince me that a 12vs will run aluminum wire without being a huge pain in the ***. With that said do any of you run the setup by HTP? Only reason why I ask is according to the specs looks like it has a little more power. Or maybe I'm wrong maybe the miller setup is the same "I really don't know". Any other suggestion are welcome I just want a decent setup for aluminum for repairing dump bed, semi trailers, whatever. Thanks for your time.-Keaton
Reply:Most people on the board are not fans of the htp because of ergonomics and build quality.  However they seem on paper to be a good option.  I'm curious to see what your responses are because I would like to pick one up too.Farmer2
Reply:That's it on paper they look okay. I don't mind spending the money for good products just trying to also look at best bang. Honestly I wish there would a high response saying a suitcase would feed aluminum wire well. I just don't see how it would be any different than trying to run it out of my 252. I'm sure I'll get some people saying it can be done but the headache of trying to keep the lead almost strait so the wire doesn't jam isn't my idea of a good time.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Yeah, the HTP gun is junk IMHO.It's basically a CK Systamatics gun with their name on it.Ck makes some great products. The spoolgun they sell isn't one of them. It's poorly engineered & feels cheap in your hands. I've had a few of them come thru the shop over the years. Lincoln, Snap-On & HTP ave all put their names on them. The drive cover is a pain to take off to access the roller wheels. It's just not a real user friendly deign.I would go with a good used 30A & WC 24 control. Plug & play with your machine & will run any kind of wire you want to put in it.IMHO of course
Reply:7A749 please excuse my ignorance but I have never used or seen a wc24 controller. Do you control voltage and wire speed from it or is speed adjustment on the gun?
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Hope the pix I posted will help you out man.I've had some ppl say the HTP guns are great, but I can't see it. Not after three of them I've personally held & used.The 30A will perform & you won't be disappointed with it. A good one will be between $400-$600 bux on average. The control, generally $100-$150 on average. A WC115 will work too, but the WC24 is cheaper & again, plug & play with your trailblazer.Thanks for the kind words man. Best of luck with it
Reply:I guess the only other question I have is with the wc24 setup is the wire always hot or does it allow you to have it so the trigger makes it hot since the TB has that option?
Reply:Another good option would be a XR feeder with a XR30A gun. You would hook directly to the 14 pin connecter, hook up the positive lead and a gas hose. This would allow you to run 12 inch spools of wire 12-14 pound I believe .Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749That indeed is & you can pick them up cheap sometimes tooI have a cabinet I got in a trade awhile back. Made the gun into a spool gun.My advice is to shop around. Never know what you'll run across.
Reply:@ 7A749 - there's something not quite right with your gun & "24".  Gun'a have to send 'em to me for some rework and T&E.  Ha! Bro, those items look sweet!"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I wish I still had it. I sold it awhile back to help finance the dynasty. I have another one but its in pieces. Ill prolly wait for my guy to come across one at the LWS & buy it new. He gets deals once in awhile.