Some NOS PowerArc 160's

[mecan]

Easy to do, bought the welder then had to upgrade the electric to the house and garage. Then start thinking about a cheap plasma cutter could be enjoyable, well now need a bigger air compressor. Then it gets back to the I really need a big shop/barn/garage. Viscous cycle!

 

[newbury]

Thanks for putting that up, Joe. If I don't quit reading this thread, I'll have more money invested in accessories than I have in the welder. :laughing:

Well, to be honest with you, we all do. The welder was the cheap part of the equation.

The problem is that you've bought a GREAT welder at a CHEAP price. Look at the retail price of the unit and what other units of similar capabilities are selling for and then think that the $$ you saved can go to things you would have needed ANYWAYS.

When I bought my PA 300 for $270 (thanks to SA and Mark) I didn't mind dropping $200 on "accessories".

 

[prichard]

I'm intentionally not thinking about how much I spent on accessories. And I am certainly NOT telling SWMBO.

 

[k0ua]

New Welding cart, Extension cord, Extra 50 amp outlet outside.Tig torch and its accessories, purchase argon bottle for the TIG, 5 inch Grizzly bandsaw, new auto darkening helmet, Tig gloves, new angle grinders. Yeah I could have bought a lot of welders for what I put in to accessories after I got my welder.

 

[newbury]

Thanks for the sentiment, but he passed away last week. We're back out here again, close to Mobile, trying to help out my mother in law as long as she needs us. Lots of work to do. It's difficult with blended families. This was her second marriage but it they were married over 25 years, and he was 14 years older than she is. He has older kids from his first marriage and my wife was from her first marriage and is the only child and even was still a young teenager when they got married. I won't get into details, but it presents some real delicate challenges.

If anyone needs me and I don't answer the number below, pm one of the guys here that have reported buying one (if they don't mind being pm'd), and they likley have my cell and you can text me and I'll give you a call when I can check in or answer your text if you prefer. I just don't want to put it out in public.

I had a GREAT Uncle (he was actually a "rocket scientist" at NASA) who passed away a few weeks ago. SWMBO (an Attorney) is working to handle the probate. This is probably the sixth one she has done for close relatives. It's painful, difficult, and must be worked thru. Sometimes all the potential heirs are sharks, sometimes they all get along. I hope your situation is the latter.

 

[prichard]

Sorry to hear about your loss, Mark. I lost my dad in March, tough stuff. Then we had to put mom in a home because her dementia is so bad she needs constant supervision. Almost like losing both folks at the same time.

 

[LittleBill21]

So maybe someone can explain something to me,

this unit says to use 3/32 or 1/8 size rods, yet when looking at the amperage rating of the rods, to get up near the 160 amp you need a 5/32 rod? even their own book pretty much says this? is there something im missing?

 

[k0ua]

So maybe someone can explain something to me,

this unit says to use 3/32 or 1/8 size rods, yet when looking at the amperage rating of the rods, to get up near the 160 amp you need a 5/32 rod? even their own book pretty much says this? is there something im missing?

An 1/8 E7014 electrode according to the miller weld calculator runs from 110 to 165 amps. I find they run at about 140 amps for most of my work with them.

 

[LittleBill21]

"http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/global/Products/Consumable_StickElectrodes-MildandLowAlloySteels-Fleetweld-Fleetweld5P[plus]/c2410.pdf"
sorry url will not link right
page 36

Browse Products: ARC Welding Electrodes - Forney Industries
look at the amp ratings

maybe it depends on the rod type 60x vs 70x seems like you need a bigger rod for the 60x stuff?

 

[prichard]

I finally had time to power up and attempt to run a few beads. I have not welded it 20+ years and only ran a stick a couple times. I'll post pics at some point to let y'all have a good laugh.