Some welding questions...

[ShelbyDogg]

I've been welding a long time. One thing that really matters if you use a 110 welder, is your supply outlet and extension cord. If you use any 110v,15 amp outlet, you will wonder why welding is so hard. You may not blow the breaker but you won't get any heat penetration.

 I ran a 20 amp circuit to my garage just for my welder. I only use short, heavy guage extension cords if I need to reach the far side of my garage.

Try a regular extension cord and try welding so you'll see what I mean.

[72rtchallenger]

I've been welding a long time. One thing that really matters if you use a 110 welder, is your supply outlet and extension cord. If you use any 110v,15 amp outlet, you will wonder why welding is so hard. You may not blow the breaker but you won't get any heat penetration.

 I ran a 20 amp circuit to my garage just for my welder. I only use short, heavy guage extension cords if I need to reach the far side of my garage.

Try a regular extension cord and try welding so you'll see what I mean.

you have to run it with a heavy duty drop cord and and a 20amp breaker or you wont be welding ,

[shadango]

Man, talk about a timely topic for me!   

I just got done dropping my gas tank in preparation for installing the spare tire hold-down bracket.

I have a Lincoln 175  220v welder capable of taking gas (I dont have the tank or gauge for it).

Have played around with welding heavier stuff and got some welds to work.   I also blew holes through some of the thinner stuff....like exhaust pipe.  And that was dialing the welder all the way down.

I am using the heavier wire so I guess going to the smaller .023 and the gas would help....Then again, I looked at the tack welds that the shop who replaced the floor did and apparently they had some issues....

So I am a little (a lot ) spooked....I dont want to trash a perfectly good trunk floor.

That, and my welder falls short of reaching the dang trun by about 10 feet.....I have it plugged into a 220 outlet...can I get a heavy extention or will that be trouble?  I guess I could rewire to add an outlet at the other end of the garage....but what a hassle.

I am considering just riveting the dang bracket in....LOL 

[72rtchallenger]

Man, talk about a timely topic for me!   

I just got done dropping my gas tank in preparation for installing the spare tire hold-down bracket.

I have a Lincoln 175  220v welder capable of taking gas (I dont have the tank or gauge for it).

Have played around with welding heavier stuff and got some welds to work.   I also blew holes through some of the thinner stuff....like exhaust pipe.  And that was dialing the welder all the way down.

I am using the heavier wire so I guess going to the smaller .023 and the gas would help....Then again, I looked at the tack welds that the shop who replaced the floor did and apparently they had some issues....

So I am a little (a lot ) spooked....I dont want to trash a perfectly good trunk floor.

That, and my welder falls short of reaching the dang trun by about 10 feet.....I have it plugged into a 220 outlet...can I get a heavy extention or will that be trouble?  I guess I could rewire to add an outlet at the other end of the garage....but what a hassle.

I am considering just riveting the dang bracket in....LOL 

yes a good heavy gauge drop cord can be used at least an 8 gauge wire

[brads70]

  I made one for my Tig welder, bought everything I needed at Lowe's. It was fairly cheap!