Spoolgun opinions?

[PAToyota]

I can plug a spoolgun into my MM250X, but the cost of one is about $750 to $850 new. Depending on what you are working on, the things look sort of bulky and clumsy. Eventually I want to get a TIG. Should I just keep saving money on the TIG or would the spoolgun be worthwhile until I can get to that point?

I'm curious to know how much people have used spoolguns. Is it mainly something for the occasional aluminum welding or is it a decent piece of equipment?

[Toyota_Jim]

Save for the tig.

[cebby]

Save for the tig.

Ditto.

I have a Miller Syncrowave 180 and a Millermatic 210 with the spoolgun. The spoolgun works OK, but can't yield decent looking welds like a TIG can. You have to haul ass with the spoolgun (with alum) Short welds look like crap.

[bk005]

Ditto.

I have a Miller Syncrowave 180 and a Millermatic 210 with the spoolgun. The spoolgun works OK, but can't yield decent looking welds like a TIG can. You have to haul ass with the spoolgun (with alum) Short welds look like crap.


I am looking at building some aluminium towers for my boat, and have been looking for a good ac machine, and have been told hte square wave techology is great on aluminium. Im going to go check out the 180 this week.

[PAToyota]

Thanks for the replies. That was pretty much what I was thinking. Of course, if a spoolgun comes along cheap, I just might have to give it a try. But I'll save the $$$ for TIG.