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Wed Jul 07, 2004 5:49 pm

Does anyone use a spool gun? I use a MK Products "Prince XL". I use the Panasonic mig/plasma cutter unit/power source. I chose these when I was trying to hit the most target with my money. Has anyone got any feedback on their personal favorite welding toys???? I just like to stay abreast of the latest and greatest, is why I ask? Richard

Thu Jul 08, 2004 1:42 am

I picked up a used Smiths Jewelers Torch a while back. Its real special purpose but I can do some neat things. I did fix a piece of my own jewelry with it and I was able to patch an aluminum core radiator - you know, the ones that are little more than thick aluminum foil. That saved me a couple of hundred verses replacing the sucker. :D

Sat Jul 10, 2004 1:24 am

isnt a spool gun used mainly for industrial welding, your not going to get that sucker in a tight space. :cry:

Sat Jul 10, 2004 7:53 pm

You're right They are a little big and not the ideal tool for say, under the dash of a Bug. I don't care for a spool gun because of the weight but since the feeder is in your hand, you can be a long way from the power source. With a conventional MIG, you're pretty limited in how far you can push the wire. I'm glad my little flux core Lincoln is portable and will run on a good extension cord. I have to keep it right next to me.

Mon Jul 12, 2004 11:29 am

True about the size and weight problem in some applications. I like the portablility of the spool gun and 50' hose for working around my shop. I weld aluminum quite often in my metal sculpture business. For aluminum, its either tig or spool gun. I prefer the speed of the mig over the beauty of the tig. Not to say that the tig is inferior. It better quality, but very slow. I just made a huge (7' x 12") aluminum gate for someone. could have never done that in the time that I had allowed with a tig machine. MK Products make a mini-spool gun that is smaller than the typical. Jeez, I sound like a MK commercial. I am impressed with their quality, though.

Don't weld anything nakked! Don't weld aluminum in a short sleeved shirt. .....I am recovering from some serious 2nd degree UV burns that happened while wearing short sleeves for an hour or so while working/welding the gate. Ouch. 3/8" aluminum requires lots of juice to melt and reflects the light right back at you.

Mon Jul 12, 2004 12:25 pm

Have you tried the pulse units on the Esab multimasters? Pulse unit with a spool gun lays down some really nice welds on aluminum.

Ryan

Mon Jul 12, 2004 9:09 pm

nthang, one more good hint. Don't weld with the top buttons of your shirt or jacket unbuttoned. My old boss was doing a personal job one hot Saturday and his chest and neck still looked like a lobster on Monday.

Where too bright is a problem, I tape a dark cotton towel to the top of my hood and flip it down my back to help block the reflected light. Its real tough to be welding outside and have it brighter inside your hood then at the weld.