4" spool adaptor to big welder's

[Fishy Jim]

I was going to get a nyloc nut, but they only had them up to 1/2" at the hardware store I frequent. Other than reducing friction on the back of the spool and preserving the surface finish of the aluminum bar (which I don't care about), what's the reason for the spacer?

There's always been some kind of friction pad material on my mig feeders. What do they use for those? I suppose I could see if they have any at the service shop too.

[walker]

Since you drug up this ancient thread... I don't know what the big deal is with the 4" spool adapter. I took the spool adapter off of my MM185 and put the 4" spool right on the shaft ( I may have put a plastic washer on first), then I put a small spring I had lying around and another washer, then the flat sided washer and nut from the original spool adapter. It took me 5 minutes to rig it up and I just let the spring sit in the bottom of the cabinet when not in use. It ran just fine with .023 wire in steel and stainless.

[Fishy Jim]

That's all fine and dandy unless your feeder uses a 3/4" bolt like mine.

[Danny]

Jim,

Friction reduction is the only reason I'd add the spacer. I was thinking along the lines of making a plastic washer. Nylon, Delrin, or Rulon would more than likely be good choices for material to use. Actually, even UHMW would probably work fine too.

[Fishy Jim]

I've got some nylon washers from various curbside supply fitness equipment I've snagged. I guess the issue is that right now I'm not getting enough friction instead of having too much.

In fairness to walker, my old mig had a 1/2" bolt, so I just made a little spacer bushing out of some pipe to allow use of the factory tension mechanism. I gave that to the new owner along with my extra tips and told him what it was.

The XR Control's center bolt is probably 1/2" as well, but I'm not threading, and then rethreading 24' of wire just to run a little stainless that will push up my 15' gun without issue.

The aluminum used on this was drop from an intercooler piping job. Whole thing took less time than ordering one out of a catalog. When I'm at a surplus place, I'll pick up a spring and should be good to go. It's not a pressing need.

[Danny]

For a possible temporary fix to add more tension until you can find a spring, I am wondering if a very short length of rubber hose might do the trick. Install one of your nylon washer (or metal) against the roll. Then the rubber hose. And finally the nuts.

[Fishy Jim]

The temporary solution is to leave the double nut system alone. It works fine, but takes some adjustment when clamping the two nuts together to retain the proper drag on the roll. Once you set the tension, then you slap it on the feeder and away you go.

That wire is the only thing I run off 4" spools and I don't use it often as I tig my stainless down pipes. I'd just rather put it away in perfect function, rather than leave it knowing that the design doesn't meet my expectations.

Come to think of it, I have an old VW head out in the scrap pile. I bet a valve spring off that would do the trick.

[Arcs&Sparks]

Hi Guy's, I have a pile of 4" spool's of .023 for thin sheetmetal. I want to use them on my MM185 but can't because of the 5/8" spindle hole. I was going to rewind them on an empty big spool but don't have the time. So i thought of an adaptor, i don't have time to make one for a few days but i will throw out the idea. Use a piece of 2" black pipe the width of the big spool. Bring 2 arm's straight out with a 5/8" hole to hole the 4" spool, you can tighten the 5/8" nut for some tension on the little spool. Then you will need an arm downward like a kickstand to keep everything level for the wire to go into the drive. I have some 1/4" bolts with rubber feet i plan to use. Hey give it a shot. Sure beats buying a giant spool of .023 if you only need a little. Will post some pics in a few days...Bob
One other thing it would be good for those small rolls of flux core if you want to try flux core welding without buying a $50 roll.

I found it on the Atlas Welding Accessories website. They sell direct and they supply distributors. Also found it at WeldingSupply.com for $15.55. Some distributors stock these. I have seen it at some distributors and it has been around since the 90s. It works well and the rubber gommets tensions the wire so it does not freewheel. You just tighten the 2" spindle tensioner so it stays in place. Saved me bunches on a spool of Stainless since I just needed a small spool to get the job done. With the price of wire it saves if you dont need a large spool. I would rather pay the $16.00 to $20.00 to have something work and not fool with a tension system. Its called the Universal Spool Adapter. It works on full size feeders and full size intergrated welders / wirefeeders. It does not fit on the small feeders designed for 10lb spools.

[aametalmaster]

Since this thread is 8 years old might as well add another pic...Bob

[elvis]

Hey bob, what keeps the small spool from unwinding?