Spoolgun or Tig machine

[scote]

Hello, I have learned quite a bit just from reading all the posts and answers but am wondering if I should add a spool gun to a Millermatic 210 or just save the money towards compact tig machine such as the Dynasty 200 DX? This would be primarily for welding aluminum diamomd plate and some aluminum tubing. Thanks in advance for the answers.

[HAWK]

scote,

It sounds like the spoolgun will meet your needs at about 1/3 the cost of a D200DX setup with all the accessories. TIG is slow and makes a beautiful, structurally sound weld. I prefer TIG, but do a lot of both. Application is the key.

[scote]

Thanks Hawk for your resoponse. Does the spoolgun mig method offer a suitable strong weld on aluminum?

[ASKANDY]

Done right the spoolgun does a fine job. It takes a little learning as does anything. Remember to always use a PUSH angle on the gun when doing aluminum.

Good luck.

A-

[HAWK]

As Andy stated: Yes the spoolgun does a fine job. I must say the XR edge push/pull is a fine feed system for aluminum. I know that does not fit your machine, but wanted to give it a thumbs up anyway.

Don't go too shallow on the spool gun angle. Try somewhere around 70 degrees from the horizontal and push the gun forward. Pulling will only make things hard and messy.

[Blondie_486]

scote,

When I was in High School many years ago we did a bunch of aluminum work mostly switchgear cabinets and supporting structural members. We used MIG to weld all of our aluminum and had great success with it. Like Hawk and Andy both said it's all in the technique, get a bunch of scrap material and as always practice, practice, practice then go on to your work. I realize I'm not telling you anything new but wanted to reinforce Hawk and Andy's posts that the spool gun is most definitely a valid method of aluminum welding at a fraction of the cost and much faster than TIG welding. I can MIG weld aluminum quite well and can TIG weld on most materials but am still perfecting my technique on TIG welding aluminum. In my opinion MIG is the easier of the two methods of aluminum welding to learn but both are very valid methods.
I hope this helps with your decision.

Blondie_486

[scote]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for your input this truly helps alot. I am new to forums like this and can't believe all the information that you all are willing to share. So thanks again.

[Paul Seaman]

scote: I have the setup you are describing exactly. I had never welded Al before, I welded 2 pieces of 1/4 diamond plate modified my technique a little the built a bumper for my truck 18" tall 12" deep and 6' wide not perfectly but transition on longer welds is not my best. Go for it you may want the tig later but do the spoolgun you wont be disapointed, I would bet on it. Still takes practice, practice, practice. weld well

[ralenr]

Yes your 210 can do aluminum with a spoolgun and yes you would have to spend at least three times as much for a 200DX.

However, there are other considerations that you may want to consider. With the Dynasty available you would have considerably more flexibility in choosing a process for each job at hand MIG, TIG Pulsed TIG and SMAW.

Your range of control of your aluminum welding processes would be expanded. Doing thinwall aluminum tubing might be problematic with the 210 but with the 200DX you should have excellent results. In addition to the variety of MIG transfer processes (short circuit, globular and spray) you would add TIG and SMAW for steel. Lastly, with the Dynasty you would have the ability to weld things like titanium, magnesium and several others.

All in all if you can justify the expenditure having both would greatly expand your selection of tools to bring to a job and open oportunities that you might not otherwise have.

Allen

[HAWK]

ralenr,

You said it all and to the point. Andy could have done no better.

Good Job!!!

[Paul Seaman]

Look at the dollars and cents and what you want to do with it. The spoolmate will run $600- $700. The Dynasty will cost $2800 plus options you choose. Buy the appropriate for what you want to do, we all have an opinion but you have the final say buy what you need or want.