Please help the confused. Hobart Handler / Spool Gun...

admin

I need to do a small amount of aluminum welding soon.  I have a brand new Hobart 140 that I have only used for FLUX CORE welding only because I had a lot of it left from a old Lincoln weld pack.  Anyways.  I want to hook up a spool gun to my machine.  Im told its pretty easy with an adapter kit.  My question is can I use the Miller Spoolmate ((http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/M1-45.pdf)) because it's much cheaper or do I have to used the Hobart ((http://store.cyberweld.com/ho30spgun...e=pricegrabber)).Could someone make it very simple for me and just tell me exactly what I need to order to get the machine set up?Thanks....And I am sorry if this has been beaten to death on here.  I have spent about two hours trying to figure out what I can use.
Reply:That machine is very low powered to run alum. Maxed out you might get 16 ga alum. You will max out a 180 amp 220v mig on 1/8" alum.The spoolgun is a decent sized investment that may not do what you want. You might think about posting what you need to do before you drop the cash on something that won't do what you need it to do. You might also add your location to your User CP at the top left so we know where you are located. You might find someone here who could help you out with your project..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the reply and I am sorry for putting this in two categories.  I have a friend that wants me to fab a aluminum box for a food truck he is creating.  I told him I did not have the equipment to do this.  He asked what I needed and I told him a spool gun.  That it was too expensive for me to buy.  He said he would throw the gun in along with payment if I would make the box for  him.  What would be your advice.  I'm thinking he is willing to spend $500 for the equipment.  Thanks....VinceBrunswick Ohio
Reply:Without knowing what thickness material your hopeing to weld, the question is tough to answer. The 140 isn't going to really workout for this job. If you haven't worked with aluminum I would caution against the first time being a paying job. If your not looking to do any aluminum over 3/16 you can buy a Hobart Handler 190 with spool gun for under $900.00. Wouldn't plan on working it for 8 hrs a day every day but not a bad hobby machine.
Reply:I love my Hobart but the spool gun is just too expensive, I went the cheaper route and bought the longevity 140 mig and spool gun for less than the spool gun itself for the Hobart.If you are going to spend that much, why not spend a few bucks more and get a budget AC/DC tig and tig the aluminum?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI love my Hobart but the spool gun is just too expensive, I went the cheaper route and bought the longevity 140 mig and spool gun for less than the spool gun itself for the Hobart.If you are going to spend that much, why not spend a few bucks more and get a budget AC/DC tig and tig the aluminum?
Reply:Alum spoolgun welding with a 115volt mig is VERY difficult.Good luck on that.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by vbbrcisI need to do a small amount of aluminum welding soon.  I have a brand new Hobart 140 that I have only used for FLUX CORE welding only because I had a lot of it left from a old Lincoln weld pack.  Anyways.  I want to hook up a spool gun to my machine.  Im told its pretty easy with an adapter kit.  My question is can I use the Miller Spoolmate ((http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/M1-45.pdf)) because it's much cheaper or do I have to used the Hobart ((http://store.cyberweld.com/ho30spgun...e=pricegrabber)).
Reply:can we merge both his threads into one?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderBillCyberweld Price: $461.50 .. I've never bought anything from Cyberweld, and after seeing that price, I don't think I'll ever buy from them!Here's a Spool-Gun at Tractor Supply for $229.99 + Tax & + Shipping.Tractor Supply Spool-Gun 100Here's a better price at Amazon for $209.00 + Tax and FREE Shipping!Amazon Spool-Gun 100I just bought a new Hobart 190 with the Spool-Gun at Amazon for $681.94 out the door ''after my discount''!I haven't used the Spool-Gun because I don't have my gas cylinders yet... I'm planning on buying new tanks next weekend!Good-luck on whatever you do!
Reply:Originally Posted by Gamblecan we merge both his threads into one?
Reply:Originally Posted by vbbrcisI need to do a small amount of aluminum welding soon.  I have a brand new Hobart 140 that I have only used for FLUX CORE welding only because I had a lot of it left from a old Lincoln weld pack.  Anyways.  I want to hook up a spool gun to my machine.  Im told its pretty easy with an adapter kit.  My question is can I use the Miller Spoolmate ((http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/M1-45.pdf)) because it's much cheaper or do I have to used the Hobart ((http://store.cyberweld.com/ho30spgun...e=pricegrabber)).Could someone make it very simple for me and just tell me exactly what I need to order to get the machine set up?Thanks....And I am sorry if this has been beaten to death on here.  I have spent about two hours trying to figure out what I can use.
Reply:FWIW,as a newbie, I understood any good aluminum welding is done in spray transfer. That being said, the 140 won't cut it...Regardless, as a newbie, I can lay down a very beautiful short circuit weld, but absolutely suck at aluminum even after burning up half a bottle of argon.Pete
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Two different Spoolguns, that's why they have different pricesCyberweld is a good store$208.00 for the same Spoolgunhttp://store.cyberweld.com/hosp100spgun.html
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderBillMy bad!Wouldn't the one in the link that you posted be better for the OP since he has the Hobart 140 ?