Convert TIG to MIG

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Not wanting a zillion welders , I want to MIG weld using my TIG welder. Miller sells a spoolgun #3035 and a box #SGA100 that will do what I want to do. Has any body done this? If you have , please tell me. My neighbor bought an ironman mig welder (250 amps for 250.00) which I would do if I could but I can't so I won't.      Thanks in advance                     Lee
Reply:Different welding machines.  TIG is a Constant Current process, like Stick welding.  MIG is a Constant Voltage process.  This is why what you want to do is not already standard.  It requires a special MULTI-PROCESS machine that does both.Plus, if you don't want a zillion welders, you're just plain weird and don't belong here...
Reply:Ya ya...i like having as many tools as possible - woof woof ! I can't wait to get my Miller 375 !! On a side note, it is possible he doesn't have much space so he's conserving space. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:More toys the better yes it can be done but with varying results
Reply:Yes, you can MIG weld with your CC TIG power supply.  Also, some multi-process (MIG, TIG, Stick) power supplies provide a choice be CV and CC MIG.True, most common MIG welding systems use a constant voltage power supply.  The wire feed for these systems is set to a constant speed which determines the welding current, and voltage is set to determine the arc length. These feeders can not be used with a constant current power source such as would be used for TIG or Stick.But, there is a somewhat less common MIG welding system that uses a constant current power supply with a "voltage sensing" wire feed.  With this setup, the wire feed speed is automatically varied according to the voltage reading, in order to maintain a consistent arc length, and current is set directly.Here is one example of a voltage sensing wire feed for use with a CC power supply.http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/M6-21.pdf
Reply:For most GMAW, especially at a hobbiest level, a CC set-up with a VS feeder is far from ideal, and a good VS feeder is more expensive than a small Millermatic.You usually see CC GMAW in very large weldments in industrial shops.I notice the above-linked unit is designed for BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, among other similar applications...
Reply:Quote:  "For most GMAW, especially at a hobbiest level, a CC set-up with a VS feeder is far from ideal, and a good VS feeder is more expensive than a small Millermatic.You usually see CC GMAW in very large weldments in industrial shops.I notice the above-linked unit is designed for BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, among other similar applications..."MACwhat you say may be true, but as you are obviously aware, CC MIG can be done and is done.  Why not share your knowledge and answer the man's question?  My interpretation of your first post was, sorry - no way, can't be done.I'm just trying to provide factual information and back it up with some further documentation.Here's another very common voltage sensing wire feeder, the LN-25 by Lincoln.  It is expensive (new) but can handle wire down to 0.023" which would be more on the auto body/hobbiest end, not the heavy construction end.http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...heet.asp?p=421I worked with high end, multiprocess power supplies, doing automated pulsed spray MIG in the auto industry for 7 years.  When I started and inherited 4 different welds and 12 welding cells, the processes they were setup CC by the previous guy, which may make sense if you think about current being the most important variable in controlling weld penetration.  However, myself and the other three welding engineers ended up changing all 30 machines in the plant to CV.  To us it was clear that the changes in arc length, that occurred due to contact tip wear or whatever, with CC, had a more detrimental effect on the weld fusion than the voltage variations of CV.So, as I think I've heard from others, the difficulty in manual welding with CC MIG may be in maintaining a constant arc length.Thought I recalled Smithboy discussing voltage sensing wire feeds and CC supply?
Reply:I guess I didn't feel a more expensive, heavy construction process feeder warranted the mention, and possibly confusing someone clearly interested in a light duty typical MIG. I had not intended to pretend it didn't exist.  I apologize.  I still maintain this OP is way ahead to get a Hobart and accept having a second machine.By the way, the shop feeder you earlier posted will also handle .023" wire.The original point is valid.  There is a reason why spoolguns are not common options on CC shop machines.  We can argue details all day long, and we'll both be right.But the OP is best served, IMO, by a recommendation to buy an all-in-one MIG, and a brief explanation why he shouldn't bother pursuing his original idea.
Reply:Thanks for your feedback and opinion Mac, you have valid points.  Many people would not be experienced to the point of figuring out if a CC MIG system would work for them, allot easier to buy the standard package that everyone knows.I just like to get all the info out that I can, cause there are some young (and few old) geniuses out there that will figure out how to repair and adapt some EB bargain to work for them, or at least learn something trying, and pass on the finding to the rest of us.If anyone out there has actually used a manual CC MIG setup with one of these voltage sensing wire feeders, what can you tell us?
Reply:I used the cv/cc hobart hefty with a dialarc 250 cc.  It generally works fine for the stuff I do in cc, but there are some tradeoffs.  I have a cv/cc power souce also (powcon 300sm) because I found a good one cheap, otherwise I'd still be using the hefty with my dialarc.  CC is a bit more sensitive in the settings, but once you get both the amps and wire speed dialed in, it runs fine.  My feeder cost a little more than $400 shipped.  It was well used but with a bunch of life left in it.  It came pre-distressed, you might say...(like the jeans)...it had the gauges, pre- and post-flow, a nice 400 amp tregaskiss gun and came in a stylish black color, suitable for any formal cocktail party.  I have put maybe a hundred or so pounds of wire through it so far and have no substantial complaints.  I have welded stuff as thin as a lawn mower deck up to about 5/16th without any problems in CC (with .035-.045 wire).  New, a vs feeder isn't cheap, but you can pick one up fairly cheap, if you watch ebay and stay patient.  I have three now...the hobart hefty, a hobart port-a-wire and a miller 12vs.  The port-a-wire I got for less that $200 shipped to my door.  I keep that one at my dad's place and use it with an oooold dialarc (CC).  It never welds anything under 1/8th, so I can't say anything about it's capabilities on thin stuff, I just haven't done it, but I suspect it would do as well as the hefty.  The only thing about that machine was that there was no contactor, but it has a gas valve.  The 12vs is new and I got it for a steal from a company that bought a bunch, had them modified to work with Zena alternator welders and then went out of business before they used the first one.  I just un-modified it...so, that purchase would be hard to duplicate...I was lucky on that one.  I had planned to use the hefty for steel and give aluminum a try on the 12vs.  I found a short (5' to 6') automatic aluminum mig gun that I was going to convert back to a manual gun, but I have been too busy to finish that lately.  I have tried it out on the dialarc, the powcon 300ss, and 300sm just to make sure it was fully functional, but I haven't put much more time on it than that yet.So, to make a long story longer, VS feeders work fine with CC welders for lots of stuff, but if you need more fine control over the arc, CV is preferred. My experience is that there is some difference, but for most run-of-the-mill stuff, you quickly adjust to any differences.  The main thing is probably that you don't have any control over the inductance in CC.  That will affect how you weld and in what positions, but I just haven't run into that problem yet.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:He who dies with the most tools wins
Reply:just add a MM210 to your toys and start playing again, not much more than a controler and spoolgun and you will get much beter results. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Thank You All for the welder info. Some people said those who die with the most toys wins. If they had half of what I have that would be amazing. I've decided to buy a new 180 amp MIG machine with free shiping and no sales tax for about 650 dollars. Trying to MIG weld with a TIG machine won't cut it. You know CC versus CV.   Before my time in WW2 females who are now grandmothers could oxy-acet weld two aluminum beer cans together. Sorry but I can't weld that good.   I have MIG welded engine bases together that were 3/4 inch thick. One time there was a small hole in my sleeve that burned the crap out of my arm.    So again THANKS                                     LeeLast edited by leeschaumberg; 10-27-2006 at 10:50 AM.
Reply:i think you made a great decition, it will realy simplify things in the long run. i have a small MIG,TIG ,O/A setup, and plasma units each is seperate and will some day have its own cart so i can just wheel in the one i need. each has its own uses and wile some may overlap one another its nice to have a choice as well as a backup option should one break or be out of gas at the time of need.congrats on the new toy, and welcome to a great board. lots of helpfull people her some a lil more grumpy than others but good info just the same.may i ask witch welder you went with?? summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:If that's the size you want, wait and make sure you see the BRAND NEW offerings from both Lincoln (180C) and Hobart (HH187).  These things are by far the best 180A machines on the market right now and at the same price.
Reply:good point make shore you are getting the new ones as the dealer will likely have to reduce the $$ on the old stock to unload it now the new ones are out, so get a better $$ if its the old one or make shore its the new version you are getting summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.