Voltage sense feeder? And SCORE!

[dstig1]

I managed to find a great deal at an auction and picked up this Miller XMT304 CC/CV and S32P suitcase feeder for dirt cheap. Now I will sell my previous Thermal Arc welder with this upgrade.

I even got the cart, which is pretty basic design but VERY beefy. The shelves are 1/8" or 3/16" plate (hard to tell for sure). Almost killed me getting it out of the truck...

But here is my question. This is the wire feeder:

The wire feeder is a Voltage Sensing type. I get generally how that works (attach extra clamp to work and it picks up the contact from there). My question is what is the purpose or advantage of the Voltage Sensing style? Does it work better in certain applications? And which ones? I don't really need the portability of the suitcase welder, but since that is what it came with, so I'm going with it.

Oh - yes - it welds fine. There's a couple flux core beads in the middle right there. I was flying blind on settings at the moment, but I got it close enough to prove it works well. And a 3/32" 6013 above it to prove the stick function works well too. 0.045" Flux core was in the machine and I have no gas so I just used that as is to test. Spatters a lot. Was just going to prove it works, not pretty (yet).

 

[yomax4]

Works ok for what you have. The design was for running it on an Engine Drive Welder or other CC machine. Does just fine on some CV units too. You could sell it and use the cash for a regular CV feeder perhaps 4 wheel drive if you want to upgrade.

 

[Shield Arc]

Last time I use a S-32P was in the mid 1980's. Back then Miller was playing catch up with Lincoln. Lincoln came out with the LN-25 so Miller wanted into that market, so they came out with the S-32P, and the S-32S. I owned a S-32S for several years. The S-32S was Miller's answer to Lincoln's LN-7, 8, and 9. These voltage sensing machine do not require a remote cable from the power source to the feeder, just a welding lead. If you talk to most shop type weldors, they'll tell you these type feeders are junk with Mig. I don't believe it! I run my LN-25 on my CV only power source, for Mig, and on my CC / CV power source for Mig. Now you'll need CV for Mig! But I have read you can get by with CC power source for Mig with 1/16-inch wire. I've never done that, just read about it. I was talking to the outside salesman at my local welding supply about my LN-25, he was telling me several of the local shipyards run LN-25s for Mig.

I was at an auction a few months ago after an XMT-350 with a 22A feeder. I got to talking to the shop owner about his XMT-350 that was on the auction block. I asked him if he had any problems with it, said it was flawless for the 5-years he owned it. He also said he had a bad run of luck with the 304s. $1,000.00 boards were always going out in them.

Heres a picture of my S-32S and the Trailblazer I had.

 

[dstig1]

This feeder has a switch so you can run it in CC or CV mode. The XMT304 has a setting for running a VS wire feeder, so I used that, which is a CV mode. We used the XMTs heavily in class - they had over a dozen of them there. Never heard of any problems, but I'm sure it happens. The 350 should be a pretty similar design/platform in any case.

So other than the ability to run off a CC source, is there any advantage to this system?

Thanks for the info.

 

[deereman75]

It is industrial, ment to be used all day, every day, 100% duty cycle for the feeder, high amperage capacity. Why can I never find deals like this....

 

[dstig1]

Well yes it is an industrial wire feeder, but that is true of all the separate feeders. The gun is a bit abused so I am looking into what I can do to improve that, but it is not horrible (still works). I would prefer a regular benchtop feeder like a 22A but if it works, it work, I guess. I'm not yet sure, but I think these are more expensive than the benchtop style so I might be able to get a good price for this one and then swap as yomax noted.

 

[farm4life]

Nice Setup, how much did you pay for it if you don't mind my asking?

John

 

[dstig1]

It came in well less than buying a Miller 212 MIG welder alone, and I get the ability to do stick and Lift Arc TIG with it. DC only.

 

[Shield Arc]

Just yesterday I seen an ad in the local Craig's list for a Miller XMT 304 welder with spoolmatic 30a gun / XR wire feeder for $4,500.00. Ad doesn't say how old the machine is, but looks to be in excellent shape.


Do you plan on running any Mig with this setup, or just stick to flux core-SS?

 

[deereman75]

wow very nice deal, is this welder is both CC and CV. Also, do you have a tig rig for it?

 

[dstig1]

I know I got a good deal, but that sounds like a bad deal, unless it is new. Is that the push/pull gun? They are pretty pricey, but still...

I'm going to setup up for MIG and stick primarily at the moment. The flux core that it in there isn't something I was really looking for. I'm actually working out a trade with another guy on the wire feeder now. He wants a suitcase VS feeder and I would prefer a benchtop feeder, so we're setting up a deal to swap with some additional stuff from him to make up the difference in cost. Once I get that settled, I will get gun consumables and a cylinder of C25 to set up for MIG

Deereman - These are CC & CV power supplies.

 

[Shield Arc]

The spoolmatic 30a is a 1-pound spool gun.

What type of a stand alone wire feed are you thinking about going with?
The 22A seems to be popular. I've never used one.
Miller - Wire Feeders - Spoolmatic 30A


Miller - Wire Feeders - 22A & 24A

 

[dstig1]

Yep, 22A. I used that briefly in the class I took, and we have one at work in our test lab. It is exactly what I need. I was going to buy one used and hook it up to my TA multi-process welder until this deal came along. Very common feeder.

I think the XR series are Push-pull guns for high production Alum MIG work. I am at least a little familiar with the 30A spool gun, but can't figure out why they would have a spool gun on a push-pull feeder??? The push-pull guns allow you to feed alum wire from a large roll back at the feeder without it bunching up in the gun tube, as there is a drive roll set in the gun (the pull), in addition to the main drive back at the reel (the push). Less stopping for spool changes and more maneuverable than a spool gun, as I understand it. Never used one...

Miller - Wire Feeders - XR A (Air-Cooled) Gun

 

[Shield Arc]

Yup, I'm kind of old school, I have a Cobramatic.

 

[dstig1]

Well of course you do! Doesn't everyone? I wasn't explaining it for you, as I figured you knew all that, but for the others reading that wouldn't know what a push-pull gun was. If the posting you saw was for a P-P, then that would explain some of the high asking price.

 

[deereman75]

The list price for the miller 30a spool gun is about $1200, so that might explain some of the price.

 

[Shield Arc]

The xra must be a push pull system. Here's the pictures from the ad.

 

[Shield Arc]

The list price for the miller 30a spool gun is about $1200, so that might explain some of the price.

Miller's site just gives suggested manufacturer's retail price, it's not hard to beat that price.

Miller Spoolmatic 30A Spoolgun 130831

 

[deereman75]

Miller's site just gives suggested manufacturer's retail price, it's not hard to beat that price.

Miller Spoolmatic 30A Spoolgun 130831

Ya I know, but that is still quite an expensive spool gun.

 

[Shield Arc]

I think I'd rather have this setup. I have the Invertec V350-Pro, but it's the construction model, so no remote. Then again what little aluminum Mig I do the Cobramatic works just fine, and I paid $300.00 for it.

Lincoln Invertec V350-PRO Factory Model
K487-25 Magnum? SG Spool Gun, Air-Cooled, 25 ft.
https://weldingsupply.securesites.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?PNUM::1:UNDEF:X:K493-10