Spoolgun or push pull gun?

[Scot]

I have been looking at buying a spoolgun for my Millermatic 251 to run aluminum. The catalog also lists a push pull gun, which the main advantage appears to be that you can run a big spool and the gun is smaller.



The spool size does not matter to me but I like the smaller gun concept. Any thoughts?

 

[JRD]

In our shop we weld alot of aluminum, and its mostly TIG. But on the occasion we do use a MIG gun. We bought one MIG that was a push/pull and it was terrible. We now have 3 Millers setup with a spool gun and it works much nicer. Just make sure you load the rolls correctly and they stay tight. When you keep those 2 things in check, the spool guns will beat a push/pull hands down everytime... at least in our findings.

 

[robertyoke]

does the miller 251 have the capability to run a push pull?? I have a lincoln power mig 300 with a push pull and you can tie the thing in knots and it still feeds smooth and you dont have the weight and size of a spool gun.

-robert

 

[bmoeller]

We have a spool gun. Really like it. Pretty light. The aluminum wire is pretty soft, so I don't know if I would want to try to push it through. Also wouldn't want to push aluminum wire through the same sheath. Alum needs to stay clean. Use seperate grinding wheels for steel and aluminum.

 

[robertyoke]

We have a spool gun. Really like it. Pretty light. The aluminum wire is pretty soft, so I don't know if I would want to try to push it through. Also wouldn't want to push aluminum wire through the same sheath. Alum needs to stay clean. Use seperate grinding wheels for steel and aluminum.

you do have to switch liners or guns when going from steel to alum. and wire and gas... . It is not that hard to swap liners once you pull the wire.

Had a spool gun and it felt "in the way" sometimes. It is and was cheaper than a real push pull setup altho.

-robert

 

[bmoeller]

Answers that.

 

[DJW]

Years ago I ran a pull push, it needed a compressor, all equipment was very expensive, even without expert advice welds were great, however a lot of trouble with wire feed. Have used the spool style, absolutly zero troubles, although bulky compared to the air powered. Tried to keep the line as straight as possible with the push pull, but if you have ever worked on an aluminum deck etc, you will soon find that aluminum duplicates a magnet with holding power, inability to slide metal tools etc on surface, those conditions duplicated in sheath, lubricants were also tried but unless serious attention i. e. strictly aluminum operater operated, casual user probably will have problems. Any weldor picking up a spool gun for the first time can just go to work, just make sure enough inert gas coverage. In a showroom saw that high priced Dodge sporty car, sporting black dust on welds on exterior not enough gas coverage. (Pride in Workmanship?) How I used to test my welds for the first time, stainless, aluminum etc. get a bucket of COLD CLEAN water, weld about one inch on the type and condition of material you will be welding on, immediately plunge into water, swirl untill hand cold and place in heavy vise and attempt to break it. In other words give it a disruction test, keep the sample, (you may need it)