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Toyota_Jim 07-08-2002, 05:22 PM What is a spool gun used for? Why is it better? Also. How do you know when you need to replace the tips on a mig. The one I have on mine has been on there a long time. SHERPA 07-08-2002, 05:30 PM spool guns are for welding with soft-filler wires. like aluminum. you cannot "push" aluminum wire thru 10 feet of cable, but you can "push" it 5 inches out of the end of a spoolgun. same goes for other soft wires..... tip: when they start to constantly cause wire to stick to the tip, then it's time to replace it. I buy them in 20 packs, and usually run a tip for about 8-10 hours of welding time. that's while welding, not a 10 hour day. --Sherpa Toyota_Jim 07-08-2002, 05:31 PM Originally posted by SHERPA RIG spool guns are for welding with soft-filler wires. like aluminum. you cannot "push" aluminum wire thru 10 feet of cable, but you can "push" it 5 inches out of the end of a spoolgun. same goes for other soft wires..... tip: when they start to constantly cause wire to stick to the tip, then it's time to replace it. I buy them in 20 packs, and usually run a tip for about 8-10 hours of welding time. that's while welding, not a 10 hour day. --Sherpa Huh, never woulda thought of that. Sounds like a good idea not to run alu wire in the buzz box then lol Josh 89XJ 07-08-2002, 05:32 PM You use a spool gun when welding aluminum. Because the aluminum wire is soft, it has difficulty feeding through the liner of the standard MIG gun. With the spool right there in your hand, it has a very short distance and nothing to kink on and bend it out of shape. The problem with this setup is weight in your hand. After welding for a few hours your arm can get very tired from holding it up so long, and tired arms help to make crappy welds :D Look at your tip; is the hole all ovaled out and making poor contact with the wire? Replace it. Is there any welding slag stuck all over it? Replace. Have you actually welded the wire to the tip? You guessed it...replace it. If your arc is sputtering it may be due to poor contact that you can't see, so try replacing the tip. After you have been welding a while you won't go through so many. As a general rule, I go ahead and pop a new one in every time I go through a 10lb spool or two. FYRMAN 07-08-2002, 06:42 PM They also make a jelly type chit that keeps the slag from sticking to the tip. You might give that stuff a try. Personally, I haven't used the stuff since high school, and it's getting to be a pain in the ass to stop and clean out the tip when it fills with slag. Might be time to go by some myself... morpheus 07-08-2002, 08:02 PM i got a can off that nozzle gel from cyberweld a few weeks ago and a pier of mig pliers. with those two items i'm unstoppable ... that nozzle gel is amazing how the little welding splatter doesn't even stick to the nozzle or tip ... - jack | |