New Everlast 160STH unpacked

[bikerdib]

Dang, Shield Arc, you sure made me miss hearing the old SA200 I used to weld with when I was still going to construction sites. And you have 5 of them???

 

[joshuabardwell]

I knew that being the ground to a lot of juice is not good; i.e. lightning, so my instincts were to
weld in an insulated environment. It's this clamping to a metal table and then leaning up next to the table
that has me thinking overtime as to how to situate my body in a way to position the rod at the desired angle, yet
also be comfortable in that position for some extended period of time, and not "short circuit" myself by operator error.

As long as you have all your safety gear on and your work clamp is attached to the table, you won't get shocked even if you lean up against the table. The electricity wants to flow to the work clamp, so if the work clamp is attached to the table, it will suck up all the current and you won't get shocked. Also if you are wearing your safety gear, even if the ground clamp isn't attached, there will be enough insulation around your body to prevent you from getting shocked. For example, maybe you are wearing a leather apron. Or maybe you just have on a heavy pair of denim overalls. Your boots also provide some insulation. All that said, even if you do get shocked, it's usually not too bad. The open circuit voltage on these welders is something like 60 to 80 volts. Enough that you feel it, but not usually enough to do you serious harm.

When I weld, I typically put my elbow down on the table, and lean against the table for stability.

EDIT: The technician in me won't let one of those statements stand. Technically, the work clamp will not suck up "all" of the current. Electricity takes all paths to ground, in proportion to the resistance of the path. The ground clamp is, by far, the path that the electricity wants to take, but some of the electricity will flow through you to ground if you're leaning on the table--it's just such a small amount that you don't even feel it. If you were shirtless, sweaty, leaning on the table, and standing with your bare feet in a puddle, I reckon you would probably feel a tingle even if the ground clamp was properly attached and the arc was running. But you'd feel a lot more than that under those circumstances, so don't do it!

 

[IslandTractor]

Island, a lot of the Maxstars ARE sold to serious people. Most non serious people won't shell out that much money. It's all about the portablity, and they provide enough output to do some forms of pipe work. 200 amps is generally considered about all you would need on average even on a pipeline.

I certainly agree that the Maxstars are serious machines, and at over $2000 list, they better be. However the 150 is sold as a dual voltage very portable set up you can literally throw into the back of a pickup and use for light repairs. The 200 and 300 amp Maxstars are, I think, marketed more for industrial and shop use. The 200/300 have no issues with 6010. From what I have read, the issue with the 150 and 1/8" 6010 is that you can strike the arc ok but it is hard to keep it going. I would imagine that most heavy pipe welding and bridge building is done with truck mounted generator driven welders anyways.

 

[daugen]

As long as you have all your safety gear on and your work clamp is attached to the table, you won't get shocked even if you lean up against the table. The electricity wants to flow to the work clamp, so if the work clamp is attached to the table, it will suck up all the current and you won't get shocked. Also if you are wearing your safety gear, even if the ground clamp isn't attached, there will be enough insulation around your body to prevent you from getting shocked. For example, maybe you are wearing a leather apron. Or maybe you just have on a heavy pair of denim overalls. Your boots also provide some insulation. All that said, even if you do get shocked, it's usually not too bad. The open circuit voltage on these welders is something like 60 to 80 volts. Enough that you feel it, but not usually enough to do you serious harm.

When I weld, I typically put my elbow down on the table, and lean against the table for stability.

EDIT: The technician in me won't let one of those statements stand. Technically, the work clamp will not suck up "all" of the current. Electricity takes all paths to ground, in proportion to the resistance of the path. The ground clamp is, by far, the path that the electricity wants to take, but some of the electricity will flow through you to ground if you're leaning on the table--it's just such a small amount that you don't even feel it. If you were shirtless, sweaty, leaning on the table, and standing with your bare feet in a puddle, I reckon you would probably feel a tingle even if the ground clamp was properly attached and the arc was running. But you'd feel a lot more than that under those circumstances, so don't do it!

most helpful, thank you. I guess someone welds shirtless but it sure won't be me. I even got myself a nice Miller welding shirt, which frankly looks like it will be a sweat suit, plus heavy jeans, ones I don't mind ruining, or that I have "customized" before...heavy welders gloves and a good helmet. And steel toed work shoes. Which come to think of I'd rather not burn up, does one's shoes take a beating being "under the action"?

I'm off to Home Depot to get a 50amp 220 receptacle, but in thinking that through, that means I'll never be able to use it on 110V. Should I care? Short of taking off the plug and putting another one on, which is a serious drag, any way to get multi voltage usability?

 

[Shield Arc]

Dang, Shield Arc, you sure made me miss hearing the old SA200 I used to weld with when I was still going to construction sites. And you have 5 of them???

They do have a sweet arc, don't they? I never understood why Lincoln got a way from that arc:confused3:. The SAE machines were close, but the SAMs, and Commanders are just different. I haven't had the opportunity to run any of the Classic series machines, I have read where people report they're the same as SA-200.
This one is my pride and joy, paid $200.00 for her! :dance1:

 

[k0ua]

most helpful, thank you. I guess someone welds shirtless but it sure won't be me. I even got myself a nice Miller welding shirt, which frankly looks like it will be a sweat suit, plus heavy jeans, ones I don't mind ruining, or that I have "customized" before...heavy welders gloves and a good helmet. And steel toed work shoes. Which come to think of I'd rather not burn up, does one's shoes take a beating being "under the action"?

I'm off to Home Depot to get a 50amp 220 receptacle, but in thinking that through, that means I'll never be able to use it on 110V. Should I care? Short of taking off the plug and putting another one on, which is a serious drag, any way to get multi voltage usability?

Boots? nah.. not too bad on them. The "BB's mostly bounce off, long as one does not go down into your boot.. ha ha.. You can put your 50 amp plug on now, and you can make a short adapter "pigtail" later to use it on 120volts. Male 120volt standard 20 amp plug on one end and a female 50 amp connector on the other end of the pig tail. Don't weld with anything bare for very long.. You will have a nice sunburn if you do. The Ultraviolet light from the arc will affect you just like a day at the beach. Cover up and be safe.

James K0UA

 

[daugen]

This one is my pride and joy, paid $200.00 for her! :dance1:[/QUOTE]

seriously nice machine. Onan or Kohler?

Serious audiophiles seem to like the sound of tubed amps better than electronic.
Your "oldie" may just have a different feel than an inverter welder,
and you don't need any electronic aids to prevent sticking.

Is that welder also a 15-20kw gen?

seems ShieldArc your welder might be worth a tad bit more now...this guy sure
values his highly: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/3685195252.html

 

[Shield Arc]

No they have a 4-cylinder 36-horse power Continental engine in them. They really don't have much for auxiliary power, and it is DC only, so you really have to watch what tools you plug into them!
Oh yeah they sell real high through out the Mid West. I turned down $3,700.00 for that Red Face I posted above, made the guy mad as a wet hen too!:laughing: I paid $250.00 for the one on the right.

 

[joshuabardwell]

SA, do you restore them, or did you pay $250 as is?

 

[Shield Arc]

I restore them when I'm in the mood! I got one setting in the shop now waiting for me to get motivated!I hate painting all most as much as carpentry work.