Limits Of A Spool Gun???

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I have been going back and forth trying to decide on a new TIG machine. This morning I went down to a local mom pop LWS and was really impressed. This place is close to home and has a good  supply of welding items. While was there got to talking with the owner. I am wondering if my money is better spent on a Thermal Arc 181 mig/tig stick and spool gun unit and put the difference toward a plasma machine?What are the limits of a spool gun???
Reply:Simply put, the limits are heat input and puddle control. For thicker sections (maybe 1/8" and larger) with straight welds (to easily maintain constant weld speed) this is typically not a problem, and the spoolgun shines because it is fast. For intricate work, the spoolgun will be frustrating, and not the tool for the job. JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:As mentioned, all depends on what you want to do.Aloominum- 16g is the limit with the Spoolgun and it is not a pretty process on 16g but it will work, so depends on what you are building/fabricating.The 181 doesn't have the power to be much use in anything thicker than 3/16" Aloominum with a spoolgunIf most of your projects involve Steel then the TA might be the way to go since it does offer DC Tig so thin steel work could be done with that process.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:agree,  you really want a 250 amp machine or above for a spoolgun setup .  MIG also tends to need higher duty cycle machine as you can run for long periods without stopping for any significant time for the machine to cool.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:What they said!AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:You have to move real fast with a spool gun. You also have less control of the heat. Like normal mig, you have a colder start than you do a finish. This isnt good for anything holding liquids. Like others said, only good on thicker stuff (18 g and thicker). With mig, you need to spray transfer. You would be limited with 180 amps. A TIG is on my list of next to buy (real soon). Plasma comes in really handy. I have a Hypertherm PM30. I use that thing all the time.