Universal Spool Gun System

Welding Supplies Direct stock a range of British made spool gun systems and push pull gun systems that are compatible with any MIG welder with a euro torch connector. Spool guns allow you to MIG weld aluminim with ease.

How do I MIG weld aluminium with a spool gun?

A spool gun allows you to load a small reel of aluminium MIG wire directly into the gun itself. Welding aluminium with the wire in the gun itself, being fed through rollers in the spool gun, eliminates the issues that are common with aluminium MIG welding as it shortens the travel distance of the soft aluminium wire, thus preventing birds nesting.

Once the spool gun is loaded with the wire and fed through the roller mechanism you can connect the universal spool gun system to the euro connection on your welding machine which allows for your shielding gas (pure argon) to pass through the torch. The wire feed speed can then be adjusted via the control box which is included with the spool gun package.

Is it possible to MIG weld aluminium without a spool gun?

In short, yes. You can use a standard MIG welding machine to weld aluminium. There are, however, some requirements. It is recommended, but not 100% necessary, that the welding machine has a smooth 4 roll wire feed unit to ensure consistent feeding of the soft aluminium wire. In addition to this you will need ensure the following:

• Use the shortest MIG torch possible. We recommend no longer than 3 metres in length.
• Use a teflon MIG torch liner; this will prevent the aluminium welding wire getting stuck in a standard steel liner.
• Use an oversize contact tip or a contact tip especially designed for aluminium welding.
• Use pure argon shielding gas - do not attempt to use argon / co2 mix shielding gas as this will not work.