please recomend welder

[David Eugene]

What model of welder would be best for the following task?
I have to make a filet weld at the bottom corner of an aluminum channel that is 6" deep (.063 thick) and 2-3" wide. (.125 thick) With the spool gun I have now my only option is to have excesive wire sticking out and the sheilding gas is ineffective. Please advise.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

DAVID EUGENE........WELL GENERALLY SPEAKING IF YOU CAN'T REACH IN WITH A SPOOL GUN THAT LEAVES TIG, A LITTLE MORE LABOR INTENSIVE BUT GIVE IT A SHOT AND SEE HOW IT WORKS IN AC..........IF YOUR REALLY GOOD AND HAVE ACCESS TO A STICK WELDER GET SOME SMALL RODS AND TRY STICK WELDING AT A LOW AMPERAGE..............SO NOW WE HAVE COVERED MIG, TIG, AND STICK..........................HARD TO RECOMMEND A MACHINE JUST YET IS THIS THE ONLY THING YOU EVER WELD OR WILL OTHER PROJECTS COME INTO PLAY........................?.....ROCK
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[Roger]

Don't have enough details to really answer but that never stopped me.
Could make a plastic glove box sort of tent you tape to channel with only your gun sticking through the plastic. Then you wouldn't need nozzle. First suck gas out of tent then fill with shielding gas. Tent would need a vent valve.

How about clear plastic sheet with rubber grommet that you stick your spool gun's tube through then leave nozzle off. Have light spring on spool
gun tube so plastic sheet is pushed against aluminum channel. Would need flaps hanging down to seal channel made of rubber leather or something. Maybe bronze wool to reduce turbulence of gas exiting your enclosure ends.
Might work.

I have heard of having to TIG weld in tighter channels almost blind it's so tight. They do make pencil TIG torches.

Put part in argon chamber and let robot weld it. $$ $$

[Hobart Expert Dave]

It sounds to me like the only reason your spool gun is not effective is because the gun body will not fit into this space. With 2-3'' area the nozzel should fit. So if this is the case then have you tried just the regular gun torch and see if it might do the trick for this job. sometimes the standard gun is smaller and for a pinch on small jobs it will work for you.
Thanks
Dave Evans

[Roger]

Might be able to cut away side of nozzle so you can get into corner with spool gun. Can't cut too much or contact tip will arc to work. They make nozzles with 45 degree side clearance cuts for some mig guns. Maybe switch from straight nozzle to tapered nozzle.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

DAVID EUGENE......SOME SPOOL GUN MANUFACTURERES MAKE AN EXTENSION FOR THE BARREL LENGTHS......SAY 2 TO 3 INCH'S LONGER........WHAT BRAND OF GUN DO YOU HAVE.......IS THAT A VIABLE OPTION....................ROCK
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[David Eugene]

sscott

SSCOTT It is a millermatic 185 with a spoolmate 185 gun.

Thanks