Got a Ready Welder spool gun and some questions about it.

Jul 17, 2003 1 Replies

Hi guys, I'm hoping some of you will be able to answer my probably trivial questions. This is my first try at MIG welding or arc welding for that matter. I only have limited experience with OA. My questions are the following: I want to weld aluminum ( I have 100% Argon), and the manual suggests to have the nozzle extend 3/8" past the contact tip. The tips that came with the spool gun are Tweco 14-.035 for example. They are recessed only about 1/4" from the end of the nozzle. Do I get shorter contact tips or a longer nozzle to achieve the 3/8 suggested ? I have some Tweco 11-.035 that are considerably shorter but I am not sure if I should use them. another question is what does the voltage setting do ? If I keep the wire feed speed constant and vary the voltage, say try 18 volts and then try 24 volts what is the difference in outcome ? I want to weld a 1/16 aluminum (6061) patch onto the bottom of an aluminum crab steamer (80qt pot) that had a hole (10" diameter) burnt through the bottom of it. Thanks.



-Joe



Also how do you get the o ring under the wire feed control ? How does the dial come off ?



That is for spray process MIG.

Use the shorter ones for heavy welds on 1/4" plate or heavier. For lower amperage work use the longer ones running short circuit instead of spray.

Spray process sounds like a steady whine, rather than the bacon frying sound of short circuit welding.

For 1/16" aluminum you want more like 12 volts, and the longer tip. You can try 18 volts, but experiment on some scrap aluminum.

The knob is just pressed on. Slide a narrow blade under it and wiggle GENTLY. The knob should pop right off. Slip the o-ring around the shaft and press the knob back on. Simple.

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