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Post by krush on Feb 27, 2018 21:53:44 GMT -5
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Post by krush on Aug 10, 2019 2:38:57 GMT -5
I got an email yesterday about a special being run on this pulsing mig welder that will do aluminum without a spoolgun. It's been on the wish list for "maybe one day, but I don't really need" type thing. I have a miller 250x that's 20 years old and weighs a ton, and I picked up a spool gun cheap years ago off craiglist. Anyway, the new 220 model came out and they offered a bunch of stuff for the price PLUS $200 store credit towards future purchase: www.usaweld.com/Pro-Pulse-200-s/775.htmI pondered for a while and say, F it, and ordered one. The 200 model was always on back order last year. Also, I have their awesome stick welder that weighs like 15 lbs and does pulse tig AND pulse stick (1-5hz on stick). Yes, pulse stick...it's really neat, especially on 6010. I got it on sale a year ago for $1200. It's a smooth unit (only 230v, though): www.usaweld.com/Pro-Pulse-200-s/775.htmThe HTP's are actually Stel welders made in Italy. They have a huge following on their Tig unit. The quality is as good as Miller but even better features and much lower price. Not chinaman junk. But to keep the chinaman happy, and to have a 120v super simple unit that I wouldn't cry if I smashed, I snagged an Esab last year Miniarc 161 LTS for $483 with $75 rebate. It will do 6010 too (most small inverters struggle with cellulose rods): store.cyberweld.com/esmi161lts05.htmlI usually stick stuff around the house because it's fast and easy, but SS is meh with stick, and AL is not really happening. I got a tig torch (valve on torch handle) to use with the stick welder (lift start, pulse). Brian, you may want to try the HTP welders....I'm sure they'd give a solid deal if you bought more than one. The have a beefy ass 3phase mig unit. PS: Anybody want to buy my miller?
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Post by banned on Aug 10, 2019 7:04:46 GMT -5
I'd be surprised if that machine will feed aluminum. The problem is that the wire is to soft to reliably push through 15' of liner to the gun I've never seen one work reliably. The spool gun or a Cobra works. Spool gun hold the wire in the gun so it only has to push through a few inches of liner. The Cobra is push pull has a second drive unit on the gun. Everything we have at work is miller. They have to be 4 roll feeders the normal 2 roll just doesn't hold up. The feeder has to be a separate unit so we can bring it closer to the work when the 15' gun lead is long enough. That's work I've had a small self contained Miller for my own use and it's been going strong for 35 years but work is complete different just high abuse. I do want to get a TIG machine for home and learn how to do it.
I've got to remove .200 from the dumb side of a pinion gear. It's a clearance issue I need a 2.5 reduction and that pinion sits to high and won't clear the differential housing. I could grind it but it would take a long time and be hard to keep it cool. I'd like to cut it in a lathe but standard carbide inserts will bounce off it. I'd like to try ceramic or diamond but can't find a simple triangular insert in anything but carbide. Then when you look to the MSC site there are so many styles and holders it's difficult to figure out what fits what. I need a 1/2" square holder in a left hand facing style that takes one of the available ceramic or diamond inserts.
Brian
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Post by krush on Aug 10, 2019 13:56:32 GMT -5
Lots of videos of it doing aluminum through a normal gun. They sell a liner/gun and special rollers for aluminum. It can operate a push-pull or spool gun too. The larger unit would be more for your operation (do you have 3 phase?). Fronius is another company that makes some nice stuff, but they aren't represented as well in the USA. The europeans are way ahead of us in technology. If it sucks, I'll send it back. But there are hundreds of these machines out there and lots of people talking about them on forums (and lots of youtube videos).
Go to 13.5 minutes to see the aluminum welding:
Repairing a trailer: go to 2.5 minutes to see welding
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Post by yachtsmanwilly on Aug 11, 2019 5:45:49 GMT -5
Take it to an EDM shop. Finish of with a .005" grind job... ws
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Post by banned on Aug 11, 2019 7:38:29 GMT -5
See how it works try it with 40/43 3/64 wire that's good general purpose alloy and the 3/64's a little heavier and feeds better. Any 2 roll machine or better yet a 4 roll machine will run aluminum but it won't do it reliably. a little time on the liner and tip or some bend while manipulating the gun and it bunches up leaving the rollers but maybe they've got it figured out. If you buy a machine for a home shop or even a job shop if it's good quality odds are pretty good it will never need to be repaired. A machine for my shop probably has more arc time in a year than your home machine will ever have and it's going to fail. If it's drive motor or switch we can fix it if it's electronic we can't. If it's miller I can put it in the truck and have a few choices for shops that repair them. If it's a less popular brand no one wants to work on it and sending it out is a real pain to the point that you'd probably choose to throw it out instead.
Trying to get any shop around here to do a one off of anything is like trying to water ski behind a row boat. All I need is the right insert and I can do it in house.
Brian
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Post by krush on Aug 11, 2019 22:25:57 GMT -5
I think it has a different liner for the Aluminum.
I've been to your place and know that you put more time on a machine in probably 3 months than most do in a lifetime. Miller works and does well for you, but maybe there is someone out there with a better machine? You seem to enjoy new technology and are willing to try a new mousetrap. Maybe you can call them up and get a test drive? I know they have a 90day 100% guarantee (send it back for any reason). I just saying maybe it's worth a shot, especially for the Aluminum Mig pulse. It can use spoolgun or push/pull too. I know the arc welder I got is super smooth compared the the lincoln transformer unit I spent 160hrs in welding class on.
The price is right, instead of worrying about repairs, have a spare machine or two, and then get them to send parts, or ship it back to them (it may be cheaper than local shop).
Call and talk to the one lady that knows all the ins and outs of the machines or request the owner. They'll answer all your questions. It's a great small company to deal with.
These welders are made by Stel. Stel is the miller of Italy and europe, it is not a home machine. They are in factories all over the world. Fronius is another top brand that is well known. I've been exposed to a lot of European tools and technology lately and I can truly say, America is losing its edge. We had brand new "Made in USA" softserve ice cream machines come aboard....BOTH were broken and never should have left the factory.
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Post by banned on Aug 12, 2019 6:14:26 GMT -5
Good logic as always I'll give them a call
Brian
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Post by yachtsmanwilly on Aug 12, 2019 8:17:40 GMT -5
Hey Brian... no news on the gear job eh??? Check in to PM.com I get the newsletter every 2-3 weeks. Im sure youll get the info you need. I restored my SouthBend lathe with help from that section. Always learn something new.... Let me know what ya think OK? ws www.practicalmachinist.com/
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Post by Avenger on Aug 12, 2019 21:04:47 GMT -5
Isn't that Milacron's forum?
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