spool gun for alum

admin

has anyone ever used a spool gun for alum? i have a lincoln 255c that i'm thinking about getting one for. this won't be used every day. kinda hard to weld alum with a tig outside. i have tried preheating but the problem is the thin wall tubing gets to hot before the rest of it gets warm. just looking for some input to help move the job along. putting a grain door in the back of a trailer. big chunk of alum to keep warm.
Reply:I have used a spoolgun, they do a good job once you figure them out. Without pulse, the welds don't win beauty contests, but they hold; they are functional welds. Your machine will do spray transfer. That may come out looking much better than my aluminum mig work; different machine altogether.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Aluminum GMAW will spray in the 180A machines as well.  The PM255C will have no problem welding aluminum down to 14-ga. with a spoolgun.  Still needs more practice than steel though.  I have one for occassional aluminum welding from my HH210.
Reply:I have a couple of Miller spool guns.  One is a Spoolmatic 2, the other Spoolmatic 3.  The contactor is a WC3.  I have the 2  hooked to my Lincoln TM300/300 in the shop.  I used to do portable Arc/Mig/Tig and had this equipment on my rig.  Retired from portable welding, Now only do in shop stuff for a few select customers (folks that won't let me retire )I do a lot of aluminum welding repairs with my spool gun.  Aluminum truck and trailer bodies, etc.  I bought the 50' extension cables/hoses for the outfit, so I now have 85' of cables to get up in the back of alum dump trailers for repair welding.Be advised, wind WILL blow away your shielding gas and Argon is expensive.  You'll want to use 100% argon with MIG Aluminum welding.Once you become proficient with your spool gun, you'll love it.  Good Luck.
Reply:You will have the same problems that you are having with the tig. If your gas is blowing away, it still will with the spoolgun, If you are having a hard time welding thin stock to thick stock you still will with the spoolgun.Welding thin to thick is a matter of technique and practice. and you need to block the wind.I have the mm 30a and it is great. Just dont think it will solve those problems.BTS Welding
Reply:yeah i put a tarp around the back end but the wind was still  finding a way in through the tires.  looked at taking the tail gate off and sticking it inside my shop. trailer has been rolled over onto it's side. looked at the hinges and both were against the outside edges. hard enough that one side was peeling back the alum.  so that was a no go on that idea. owner said no hurry just haft to wait until a still and calm day.
Reply:Originally Posted by patrickphas anyone ever used a spool gun for alum? i have a lincoln 255c that i'm thinking about getting one for. this won't be used every day. kinda hard to weld alum with a tig outside. i have tried preheating but the problem is the thin wall tubing gets to hot before the rest of it gets warm. just looking for some input to help move the job along. putting a grain door in the back of a trailer. big chunk of alum to keep warm.
Reply:When welding thick to thin (regardless of the base material), concentrate the arc on the heavier section and allow it to "flow" to the thinner material.  Over time you'll get the hang of it.BTW, here is a picture of the last Portable Rig welding I did prior to semi-retirement (sold my rig).  I MIG welded the aluminum tubing together that supports the sign and airplanes at the newest area at Hershey Park.  Used my Spoolmatic 2 for the job. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldorWhen welding thick to thin (regardless of the base material), concentrate the arc on the heavier section and allow it to "flow" to the thinner material.  Over time you'll get the hang of it.BTW, here is a picture of the last Portable Rig welding I did prior to semi-retirement (sold my rig).  I MIG welded the aluminum tubing together that supports the sign and airplanes at the newest area at Hershey Park.  Used my Spoolmatic 2 for the job.
Reply:i've been getting a lot of alum work lately and was looking into getting a spool gun. just wanted some input on the pros and cons.  looking for a faster way to get the job done.  thanks for the info guys.