4" spool adaptor to big welder's

[Arcs&Sparks]

Universal Spool Adapter in use on S22a and Millermatic 250

[Scott V]

Here is mine using PVC. Filed most of the Nylon out of the nyloc nut to get the tension. (easier to turn/tighten) Works with Lincoln/Miller Machines just perfect. Esab multimaster and Thermal-arc feeders also .Lines up just right on the feeder.

[aametalmaster]

Thats true, when I have time I will fab some things but for the price of a hamburger and fries I purchased the adapter and started to weld when I got it back to the shop.

Thats fine too. Post some pics of your welding when you get some time...Bob

[Arcs&Sparks]

Thats true, when I have time I will fab some things but for the price of a hamburger and fries I purchased the adapter and started to weld when I got it back to the shop. If I had time I would carve my own duck calls. Maybe a guy could machine a stainless duck call?

Thats fine too. But i have 4 of them with different wires and since i have a welder and a shop to make stuff i built them. But i could have just as easy ordered four and spent 80 bucks and watched more Duck Dynasty reruns ....Bob

[Arcs&Sparks]

Here is a picture of the Universal Spool Adapter

I found this on the Atlas Welding Assec. website but they are available from some welding distributors and other websites.

Hi Guy's, I have a pile of 4" spool's of .023 for thin sheetmetal. I want to use them on my MM185 but can't because of the 5/8" spindle hole. I was going to rewind them on an empty big spool but don't have the time. So i thought of an adaptor, i don't have time to make one for a few days but i will throw out the idea. Use a piece of 2" black pipe the width of the big spool. Bring 2 arm's straight out with a 5/8" hole to hole the 4" spool, you can tighten the 5/8" nut for some tension on the little spool. Then you will need an arm downward like a kickstand to keep everything level for the wire to go into the drive. I have some 1/4" bolts with rubber feet i plan to use. Hey give it a shot. Sure beats buying a giant spool of .023 if you only need a little. Will post some pics in a few days...Bob
One other thing it would be good for those small rolls of flux core if you want to try flux core welding without buying a $50 roll.

[aametalmaster]

I found it on the Atlas Welding Accessories website. They sell direct and they supply distributors. Also found it at WeldingSupply.com for $15.55. Some distributors stock these.

Thats fine too. But i have 4 of them with different wires and since i have a welder and a shop to make stuff i built them. But i could have just as easy ordered four and spent 80 bucks and watched more Duck Dynasty reruns ....Bob

[aametalmaster]

Hey bob, what keeps the small spool from unwinding?

The spring pushing aganist it. Its between the spool and the hitch pin....Bob

[elvis]

Hey bob, what keeps the small spool from unwinding?

[aametalmaster]

Since this thread is 8 years old might as well add another pic...Bob

[Arcs&Sparks]

Found them

Hi Guy's, I have a pile of 4" spool's of .023 for thin sheetmetal. I want to use them on my MM185 but can't because of the 5/8" spindle hole. I was going to rewind them on an empty big spool but don't have the time. So i thought of an adaptor, i don't have time to make one for a few days but i will throw out the idea. Use a piece of 2" black pipe the width of the big spool. Bring 2 arm's straight out with a 5/8" hole to hole the 4" spool, you can tighten the 5/8" nut for some tension on the little spool. Then you will need an arm downward like a kickstand to keep everything level for the wire to go into the drive. I have some 1/4" bolts with rubber feet i plan to use. Hey give it a shot. Sure beats buying a giant spool of .023 if you only need a little. Will post some pics in a few days...Bob
One other thing it would be good for those small rolls of flux core if you want to try flux core welding without buying a $50 roll.

I found it on the Atlas Welding Accessories website. They sell direct and they supply distributors. Also found it at WeldingSupply.com for $15.55. Some distributors stock these. I have seen it at some distributors and it has been around since the 90s. It works well and the rubber gommets tensions the wire so it does not freewheel. You just tighten the 2" spindle tensioner so it stays in place. Saved me bunches on a spool of Stainless since I just needed a small spool to get the job done. With the price of wire it saves if you dont need a large spool. I would rather pay the $16.00 to $20.00 to have something work and not fool with a tension system. Its called the Universal Spool Adapter. It works on full size feeders and full size intergrated welders / wirefeeders. It does not fit on the small feeders designed for 10lb spools.

[Fishy Jim]

The temporary solution is to leave the double nut system alone. It works fine, but takes some adjustment when clamping the two nuts together to retain the proper drag on the roll. Once you set the tension, then you slap it on the feeder and away you go.

That wire is the only thing I run off 4" spools and I don't use it often as I tig my stainless down pipes. I'd just rather put it away in perfect function, rather than leave it knowing that the design doesn't meet my expectations.

Come to think of it, I have an old VW head out in the scrap pile. I bet a valve spring off that would do the trick.

[Danny]

For a possible temporary fix to add more tension until you can find a spring, I am wondering if a very short length of rubber hose might do the trick. Install one of your nylon washer (or metal) against the roll. Then the rubber hose. And finally the nuts.

[Fishy Jim]

I've got some nylon washers from various curbside supply fitness equipment I've snagged. I guess the issue is that right now I'm not getting enough friction instead of having too much.

In fairness to walker, my old mig had a 1/2" bolt, so I just made a little spacer bushing out of some pipe to allow use of the factory tension mechanism. I gave that to the new owner along with my extra tips and told him what it was.

The XR Control's center bolt is probably 1/2" as well, but I'm not threading, and then rethreading 24' of wire just to run a little stainless that will push up my 15' gun without issue.

The aluminum used on this was drop from an intercooler piping job. Whole thing took less time than ordering one out of a catalog. When I'm at a surplus place, I'll pick up a spring and should be good to go. It's not a pressing need.

[Danny]

Jim,

Friction reduction is the only reason I'd add the spacer. I was thinking along the lines of making a plastic washer. Nylon, Delrin, or Rulon would more than likely be good choices for material to use. Actually, even UHMW would probably work fine too.

[Fishy Jim]

That's all fine and dandy unless your feeder uses a 3/4" bolt like mine.