Tom-Guy

If there's a good bit of mass to the aluminum bit, it isn't so twitchy. Sheet would be a PITA, mentioning tinmantech probably gave you the wrong idea :P, but thicker stuff will pool and flow.

MIG's it? You have a spool gun, or did you just keep the line nice + straight?

bumblezc

I was trying to do about 1/8" PLate on Intercooler end tanks. The problem was the difference of material I think. The Intercooler was cast, the rest was plate. The cast melted funny and at a slight lower temp.

I did it at my old work on a Push/Pull. I basically built trailers there.
At my current work we have about 10-15 Push/Pull guns. Here I design High-end All-Aluminum Horse Trailers.

For those who don't know Push/Pull uses a regualar Wire Feeder, but the gun has a small motor drive to pull the wire at a slightly faster rate the the feeder that is "Pushing" it to keep it tight.

Tom-Guy

I'm being given a light duty MIG welder - what's the approx cost of one of those push/pull guns? Sounds like it's right up my alley.

bumblezc

About 2x the cost of a spool!!!! If not more. It's just not cost effective for our shop to run Spool Guns seeing as they are laying beeds all day long and welding complete 34 foot trailers. Having to change 2lb spools all the time would not work. This way we can run 20-40lb spools.

bumblezc

Okay I lied!! It's More
http://store.cyberweld.com/milxraedgun.html
Could buy a TIG for that!!!

Tom-Guy

yeah, I got on egay last night and looked around. There aren't a lot of links, and prices are all over the place. With a careful hand, I'm wondering if a feed motor off of a cheap/broken MIG couldn't be fitted into a handle/housing. It would be kinda-sorta bulky, and worthless for tight areas, but functional.

hotrex

welding is expensive. any way u slice it.

why not just make one of those 130a alternator tigs out of a compressor.

Tom-Guy

I love you, hotrex.

You remind me of myself when I was your age, only fatter and stupider.

bumblezc

Trust me. Thats a VERY Compact one!! Normally the gun is about 2" wide and about 12" long. They are very bulky and heavy.

hcivic

you don't need a spool gun it can be done with conditioner pads that lubricate the wire, so there is not sticking to the liner.