Need some advice on suitcase welders/gun size

admin

I have a Lincoln Ranger 225GXT stick welder that does a great job on the thicker stuff and I would like to get a Miller 8VS or 12VS suitcase MIG wire welder to weld thinner walled materials, specifically 24gauge pipe.  Can anyone tell me what wire size and gun size would do a good job on this?  I'm assuming I would need to use a smaller wire size and gun (maybe 0.030-0.035 and a 180-200amp gun)?  Any advice would be appreciated.
Reply:I am not seeing how gun amperage size plays into the question of "I want to weld 24 ga. pipe." Wire diameter and voltage have great affect on the outcome of welding not the size of the electrode delivery device. Care to resubmit the question. On 24 ga. material I think I would be looking at GTAW or GMAW and .023 diameter wire.
Reply:As FatBastard said, .023 wire is the size you want if you're going to mig the thin wall pipe.The Bernard Q300 guns that come included with the Suitcase feeders have many liner sizes available but one of them is not .023, to my knowlege anyways.   I believe the smallest liner they make is .035, which works for .030 and .035 wire but is too large for .023 wire.  The wire will 'snake' inside the liner if the liner is too big and mess up the feeding.The Bernard gun is included with the feeder when purchased new whether you want it or not, but that doesn't mean you can't put on your own gun after you buy it.  Possible choice would be an M10 mig gun from any of the smaller Millermatics from the 135 through the 211.   The Millermatics use the same power pin connector as the Suitcase feeders and the same 4-pin control cable connector, so far as I know, so the stock M10 gun should fit right up.   The M10 is available with an .023 liner and will feed the small wire.  You can probly find a good used M10 gun for cheap if you buy from someone who has upgraded their machine to a better gun.   The M25 gun should work too, or you can buy a generic Tweco Fabricator or Tregaskiss gun at the local welding shop.  Just make sure whatever gun you choose has an .023 liner and tips available for it and the Miller connectors to fit your feeder.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I would get a small light easy to maneuver gun, not over 200 amps.  If you do crank the 225 all the way up, it will still take it.  It would be no fun welding 24 ga with a 300 amp gun.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.