Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: AmicoPower Spool Gun, SPG15250, 250 Amp, 15 Feet
- Best Budget: PreAsion Aluminum Spool Gun Welding Torch Fit MillerMatic 210 Spoolmate 3035
- Editor's Choice: Magnum® PRO 100SG Spool Gun - 4 Pin
- SCORE9.4
- BrandHobart
- Prime
- SCORE9.0
- BrandLincoln Electric
- Prime
- SCORE8.0
- BrandSmart Weld
- Prime
Last update on 2023-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Do I need a spool gun for aluminum?
No, you do not need a spool gun to weld aluminum.
Instead, it's all about the right tool for the job.
If you're looking for a ten-foot MIG gun that can take a twelve-foot MIG gun and run them through it, then call it a day, then that's not what you're looking for. If you want to get into the business of welding aluminum with Teflon and running water through it, then go ahead and call yourself an expert in this field.
What is the thinnest aluminum that can be welded with a spool gun?
The thinnest aluminum that can be welded with a spool gun is . 023-inch-diameter aluminum. The maximum diameter of the welded part is 1/16-inch.
The following table shows the minimum and maximum diameters of aluminum wire that can be welded with a spool gun.
Is MIG or TIG better for welding aluminum?
No, MIG or TIG are not better for welding aluminum. The difference is in the speed and intensity of the welding. MIG and TIG are both fast, high-intensity methods of welding that produce high-quality welds.
TIG is a more intense method of welding, producing stronger welds at higher temperatures. It is also more difficult to maintain a high level of detail with TIG work because it requires more time to heat up and produce better results.
How thick of aluminum can you weld with a spool gun?
You can weld aluminum with a spool gun using a minimum of 14 gauge of material.
A thinnest material that you can weld with a spool gun is 0.020 inch (5mm) thick. If you want to weld 0.035 inch (8mm) thick, you need to use a thickness of 1/8 inch (0.25 mm).
If you want to weld 0.045 inch (9 mm) thick, you need to use a thickness of 1/16 inch (0.5 mm). If you want to weld 0.055 inch (10 mm) thick, you need to use a thickness of 1/32 inches (.7 mm). If you want to build an aluminum tube from these pieces, it will be thicker than the tube itself!