Spool gun questions..

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Im in the market for a new spool gun because my 3035 isnt keeping up any more. Ive been reading and it seems like the 30a is a pretty decent gun. I mostly do 1/8th and 1/4 but every once and a while i come across some thick stuff. i will be running it off of my ranger 9 but will probably getting a trailblazer some time in the future. What setup does anyone recommend? I try and keep everything portable because most of what i do is field work. what would it take to make a pulsed spoolgun? can i run one on a xmt 350 with a optima pulser?-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:The XMT 350 / Optima / 30A combination is a great set up. Very portable, and the pulse is particularly slick with aluminum and gauge steel. Haven't tried SS yet. Don't have the gas...I love mine...JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:I run a Spoolmatic 15A (15 foot version of the 30A) spool gun with an Optima pulser on my XMT 304 CC/CV and it works very well.   You will need the WC24 controller to run a Spoolmatic from an XMT or Trailblazer.  The pulser will not connect to a Trailblazer, it only works with XMT 304/350/456, Pipe Pro 304 or Invision machines.   The XMT 350 MPa has pulse built-in, as do some Invisions.Last edited by DesertRider33; 09-30-2010 at 01:34 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:thats awesome, im liking the idea of a 350 mpa with a 30a, i was looking at them a few months ago. looks like a nice setup. hopefully the work keeps coming in and i can get one of these suckers-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:so ive been going back and forth between the lincoln magnum SG and the miller 30a. whats everyones opinions on the two? likes dislikes. I will be running it on the ranger 9 for now, so im guessing the SG with the control box would plug into the 14 pin.  with the spoolmatic, i would need the WC 115a correct? and that 14 pin would be different, wouldnt it?-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:If your Lincoln provides 24vac at the 14-pin connector, you should be able to adapt a WC24 to the Lincoln, power-wise.  As far as controlling the contacter, I don't know.   A WC115A can plug directly into the 115vac generator outlet on your Ranger, then the contacter control wires would go to the Ranger's 14-pin outlet.  Not sure if the WC115A uses a compatible voltage with the Ranger for closing the contacter or not.I would just get the Magnum spool gun and Lincoln control box to run from a Ranger.  That way you know for sure everything works together and no hassle with adapting Miller stuff to Lincoln stuff that were never intended to fit one another.Just to throw another idea out there beyond the XMT/Spoolmatic combination, Miller also makes an aluminum mig welding rig that consists of an AlumaPower 350MPa (otherwise known as an Invision, which is like an XMT, but has constant voltage mig output only) and an XR-D Control push-push pull 12" wire feeder with AlumaPro gooseneck torch (Miller's improved version of the MK Python).   That's about the cream of the crop for a portable aluminum push-pull pulsed mig rig.  Of course, it isn't multi-process, like using an XMT as the power supply.  The XR-D feeder and AlumaPro torch can be used with an XMT, if you need the stick/tig capability too.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-11-2010 at 03:58 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:in my opinion the miller gun is far superior,  i have a magnum SG setup and the miller is better in pretty much every way.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:that MPa with a push pull looks like an awesome setup, i would love to do somthing like that but $$ is tight the past few months, thats why im looking to do the spoolgun route for now. I really want a trailblazer diesel in the next few months, thats also why i was going the 30a route but who knows, maby ill get the lincoln setup for now, and get another miller setup when i get the new machine.i guess if i wanna pulse it, i could do a V350pro advanced panel, and run the magnum SP on thatso many darn options, i can never make up my mind!!!-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:in my opinion the miller gun is far superior, i have a magnum SG setup and the miller is better in pretty much every way.
Reply:I've never used a Magnum SG, but I do like my Spoolmatic 15A, which is the same thing as a 30A, except with a 15' cable instead of 30'.  Another good spool gun is the MK Prince XL.  If I was buying a new gun, I would be looking at both the Spoolmatic 30A and the Prince XL.  I believe Lincoln has used Prince guns with their machines in the past.  They sell some of MK's other products, re-badged with the Lincoln name on them, the Cobramatic feeders and Python and Cobra push-pull guns especially.www.mkproducts.comMM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I do like the prince gun much more than the python style guns on a push pull feeder.   The most comfortable and easy to use of the spool guns to me anyways will be the older spoolmatics.    they just seem to fit my hands better.    if i was going to go out and spend money i don't have on a brand new spool gun it would most definitely be on a 30AVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:ok, so i made up my mind on the 30A. its def what i want. now instead of starting a new thread i guess ill keep this one going cuz its sorta the same kinda question.I need a new engine drive, and i have made up my mind that im gonna go to the blue side...its gonna be a trailblazer 302. but the question is gas or diesel.i really want a diesel because of the life span, fuel efficiency, maintenance is easy(not that a gas isnt).the new gas EFI blazers for 3 k less will last a long time, claim to run all day on a tank of gas, start no problem in cold weather..sooooo the deciding factor for me is NOISEEE!!!!  anyone have a youtube vid of thier 302D running? and a 302G? i wanna hear the difference but i dont know anyone around with a diesel. I want the quietest thing i can get, because my ranger 9 makes me wanna pull my hair out. and if they are both equally loud, then i really dont know what to do hahahaany input????-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:My friend has a Trailblazer 302 gas.  It's noticeably quieter than my Bobcat 250NT.  It's no where near as quiet as  Pro 300, which I think is the quietest welding machine ever made.  Those things like silent.  Well, on a job site with plenty of other noise, they're relatively 'silent'.  I have no idea how loud a Trailblazer 302 Diesel is.  It is a high rpm diesel, so I wouldn't expect it to be much, if any, quieter than the 302 gas.  The Pro 300 is a low rpm diesel, so it's not surprising that it's quieter than the high rpm Bobcat/Trailblazer/Ranger machines.For as much extra money as they want for the 302 Diesel, I would rather get the 302 gas EFI or 302 LP.   You can just about buy a Trailblazer 302 gas AND a Bobcat 250 gas for what they want for a 302 Diesel.  That's a huge jump in price for a machine that doesn't have ANY addtional capability than the gas model, just runs on a different fuel.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-18-2010 at 11:09 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:For as much extra money as they want for the 302 Diesel, I would rather get the 302 gas EFI or 302 LP. You can just about buy a Trailblazer 302 gas AND a Bobcat 250 gas for what they want for a 302 Diesel. That's a huge jump in price for a machine that doesn't have ANY addtional capability than the gas model, just runs on a different fuel.
Reply:To say that the ALUMA PRO is "improved version of the MK Python" is incorrect. The aluma prois a cheap knock off of the PYTHON and will not hold up under tough dudy 3 shifts a day) and maintainance is a nightmare.  Originally Posted by DesertRider33If your Lincoln provides 24vac at the 14-pin connector, you should be able to adapt a WC24 to the Lincoln, power-wise.  As far as controlling the contacter, I don't know.   A WC115A can plug directly into the 115vac generator outlet on your Ranger, then the contacter control wires would go to the Ranger's 14-pin outlet.  Not sure if the WC115A uses a compatible voltage with the Ranger for closing the contacter or not.I would just get the Magnum spool gun and Lincoln control box to run from a Ranger.  That way you know for sure everything works together and no hassle with adapting Miller stuff to Lincoln stuff that were never intended to fit one another.Just to throw another idea out there beyond the XMT/Spoolmatic combination, Miller also makes an aluminum mig welding rig that consists of an AlumaPower 350MPa (otherwise known as an Invision, which is like an XMT, but has constant voltage mig output only) and an XR-D Control push-push pull 12" wire feeder with AlumaPro gooseneck torch (Miller's improved version of the MK Python).   That's about the cream of the crop for a portable aluminum push-pull pulsed mig rig.  Of course, it isn't multi-process, like using an XMT as the power supply.  The XR-D feeder and AlumaPro torch can be used with an XMT, if you need the stick/tig capability too.