Welding Tips and Tricks

Spool gun vs push,pull
Trying to learn which system to buy and why.
Any thoughts ?

Thanks Dennis

Hi - I've used both though not much in recent years - neither will produce consistently nice looking welds from a cold start - but from the examples I've used the push / pull while considerably more expensive leaves a better job - more suited to a shop / production situation than the spool gun - the " Cobra " unit I used was likely 25 years ago & was extremely pricey - but the odd looking torch had fine trim on the wire speed on a thumb wheel & remote voltage control of the power source both of which you could change during a weld as heat in the work built up - I don't know if modern sets do this - I believe Lincoln have some synergic push pulls out now that claim to be very good. ( not seen a price though )

Spool gun.
cheap & usually connects with euro fitting ( in UK anyway ) so will fit any Mig set
easily portable & suited to on site repairs - seen them running off engine drives via remote contactor box
uses small spools so it's easy to keep variety of alloy filler wire without great cost
wastes very little wire during setup / change / wire snags
can connect via very long power leads for hard to access areas - away from ready power points

against - small spools of wire are pricey compared with full size unless you wind your own
welds while functional for repairs are rarely good looking.


Push pull
much higher initial cost & often dedicated to a specific set or at least that brand for connectivity of controls
limited length from power source / main wire feed to torch - so limited access especially on trailers etc
less suited to on site stuff - but great in workshop
generally seems to produce better welds
uses full size spools which are cheaper - but can be a pain during wire change / snag ups.

I liked push pull when I used it - but I did'nt have to pay for it - I do have an oldish spool gun & it is useful on occasion when Tig is not suitable for the job.
Hope this helps - I'm sure there are other members with more recent / extensive experience that will offer their advice.

Thank you for the info. I have to many tools in the play pen and not enough exper. I am learning. Millermatic 200 mig older one with spot pluse cont. It does have a four pin connection so I will look at the spool gun opt's.

Thanks again
Dennis

Newer spool guns come in a broad price range (from somewhat pricey to very pricey), but the high-end ones (read that as rated for continuous duty) will give good results. The remote access is the primary reason to use one in my work. With a good spool gun hooked to a miller 251, I've gotten results on SS that are comparable the regular whip on the bench.

Without on-torch adjustments, aluminum is comparable to a basic MIG unit as well, with the problems Noddybrian described... having to compromise between a cold start (preheat helps) and a hot run.

The Lincoln synergistic units are not priced for the hobbyist or part-time welder, and so far I havn't seen one I'd call portable, unless you have a big box-truck as a mobile shop. If I recall, "synergistic" machines start around $5500, and the sky's the limit.

Steve S