Eastwood MIG 180 Assembly And Operating Instructions Manual page 20

THREADING WELDING WIRE THROUGH THE SPOOL GUN (FIG 19).
• Push the Release Button to unlatch the Transparent Spool Gun Side Cover and remove it.
• Remove the Threaded Knob that retains the Wire Spool.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Thumbscrew has left-hand threads.
• Place the Wire Spool on Spindle with the wire feeing from the top and in a Counter-Clockwise direction.
• Slip on Conical Tension Spring with the large, open end toward Wire Spool.
• Replace the Threaded Knob (left-hand threads).
• Loosen the Wire Tensioning Threaded Knob until minimal Spool rotation resistance is felt.
• Cut-off and bent wire, leaving a 4" straight section.
• Feed the wire by hand from the Spool into the Wire Inlet Guide, through the Drive Roller grooves and into the Wire Inlet Tube.
• Tighten the Wire Tensioner Threaded Knob slightly until it applies light-drag pressure onto the welding wire.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If this is too tight it will deform the wire and cause feeding issues, if it is too loose the drive roller will slip on the wire.
• Remove the Nozzle and Contact Tip.
• Replace and latch the Transparent Spool Gun Side Cover.
• Plug in Welder to power source and turn on the Welder.
• Trigger the Spool Gun until the wire feeds out of the end of the Gun and adjust the Wire Tensioner Threaded Knob so that the wire does not slip.
• Replace the Contact Tip and Nozzle.
• Feed wire through the gun and cut the wire exposing a ~3/4" length beyond the contact tip.
SPOOL GUN WELDING OPERATION
• Plug in the Welder and move the Power Switch at the Upper Rear Panel to the "ON" position.
• Set the MIG Gun/Spool Gun Selector located on the Front Panel by pressing the
• Connect the ground clamp to the work pieces that are to be welded. Make sure the ground clamp contacts are placed on a clean piece of metal free of
paint, grease, oils, corrosion etc. It is recommended to place the ground clamp as close to the weld area as possible. Aluminum has a layer of oxide on the
surface that should be removed prior to welding.
• Open the valve on the Argon shielding gas bottle and adjust the flow rate if necessary.
• Depress the Spool Gun trigger for a few seconds pointing the welding gun away from your body and then let go of the trigger and cut the wire back to
~3/4" stick-out length.
• Using the Welding Face Shield or welding helmet, gloves, and long sleeve shirt and pants, put the end of the wire sticking out of the Spool Gun into the
joint to be welded.
• Position the Spool Gun so that it is perpendicular to the base metal with 10-15° angle in the direction of push travel.
• Depress the trigger to start the wire feed which starts the arc.
NOTE: When welding aluminum with a Spool Gun it is recommended to use a push technique. Using a drag technique will result in poor, dirty welds.
• When welding aluminum a spray arc transfer is preferred rather than short arc transfer that can be more commonly used on steels. This method involves
using a longer wire stick out (~3/4"). When the Welder settings and technique have been dialed in the spray arc transfer should create a hissing sound and
little or no spatter. Once positioned the trigger can be pulled and the weld started.
• Release the trigger on the Spool Gun to stop the weld.
• After welding is completed, close the valve completely on the Shielding Gas Bottle, turn Power Switch to the "OFF" position and unplug Welder.
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Button to select to the Spool Gun Mode (FIG 17).
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