Will a "180 series" MIG run dual shield properly?

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For for the really noobie question, but I'm sorta in the dark regarding dual shield. I'm wondering if the  PM180/HH187/MM180 series machines will run dual sheild properly. From what I can tell it is a spray transfer process, so that makes me think that they won't do it right, but then I know the voltage requirements for wire with flux are different to that of solid wire. Can someone enlighten me? Cheers!
Reply:all depends on wire diameter shielding gas base metal thickness. --Gol'
Reply:Sorry, I guess that is what I'm wondering, if it does work, what are the typical limitations and what would be a typical setup? The literature for all of these welders says something like "and weld up such-and-such with flux cored wire"- does that mean that they will run dual shield as well or does the process have different requirements? None of them mention dual shield specifically. I would assume that if it does work, some sort of 0.035" wire and 75/25 up 3/8" plate or so is probably appropriate- but I don't know. Basically I've seen dual shield run before and I really liked it, and I never need to weld anything thicker than 3/8", so if a 180amp machine will run dual shield the odd time I need a little extra oomph, then I'm set, but if it won't I might have to save up and get a bigger machine, not because I necessarily need the power per-se, but I would consider spending the money if it meant the difference between being able to run dual shield or not. Hopefully that makes sense.
Reply:Well flux chored is broken into 2 catagories. Self shielded and gas shielded. Dual shield runs all of the same equipment as self shielded except that its used with a shielding gas. The 180 series are a good hobbiest machine. I don't see why you couldn't run dual shield. Most of your limitation is going to come in the duty cycle with a smaller machine like that. --Gol'
Reply:Check out some links on dual shield.  I have found its best when I have long runs to do and want to "pour it on".  This is what Gol is talking about.  Duty cycle will be a problem.So to answer your question Sure it will run it, but how much and how long?  Idunno.  You need to be able to feed .045 wire and gas.  Those machines will be capable of that.I print out the specs or WPS or what ever you call it for every wire I buy.ESAB, Hobart, and Lincoln are good places to start.  Look at the voltage, wire speed and of course amps for the wire you want to use.  Compare it to what your machine of choice will do.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:If .045 Flux cored (gas shielded) is run correctly, your machine does not have the power needed (220 Amps, 26 Volts, 1/2-3/4 Electrical Stick Out (ESO) ), gives a perfect arc, penetration and pealing of the flux.  It probably will run on 180 amps at a lower voltage, but then the duty cycle comes into play???????.   Hope some of this helps,  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:This came up years ago on the Hobart board. The weld engineers at Miller said that the MM210 would barely run .035 dual shield at tap 7 and in the 50 range on WS, IIRC. I have run .045 on mine, but only vert up. It lacked the omph for anything else. I have some Select Arc .035, but haven't tried ityet. With a 180 class machine, I doubt it would run it well enough, if at all.
Reply:Great thanks guys.Yeah, I was worried about the voltage. Most of those wires want 24-27 volts and most of the 180 amp machines have a max OCV of like, 33v, so I had a feeling that it would be unlikely they could do better than 20-22 v at 180 amps. "We're gonna new a bigger boat.... er... welder"  Thanks again, saved me wasting some money for sure!