New to welding

[Big Barn]

Welder is scheduled to arrive next Thursday

Thursday! How will you be able to sleep?

 

[BMan2005]

Trying to decide to buy a drop cord or run a line to run 220v. We bought some more land and plan to move and build on it in the next 2 yrs and I hate the idea of running the underground line and spending that money. Even though the convenience would be nice. Probably just run a drop cord to my small shelter and make a small work area there. Going to the shop where I keep all my tools just bothers me thinking about it though. Lol

 

[BMan2005]

Thursday! How will you be able to sleep?

I know. Make it even worse I'll be out of town the following two weekends in a row. We compete in Field Trials with our bird dogs and this is our busy part of the season traveling & competing. So it'll sit on my shelf for a few weeks before I really get to spend some time with it.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Trying to decide to buy a drop cord or run a line to run 220v. We bought some more land and plan to move and build on it in the next 2 yrs and I hate the idea of running the underground line and spending that money. Even though the convenience would be nice. Probably just run a drop cord to my small shelter and make a small work area there. Going to the shop where I keep all my tools just bothers me thinking about it though. Lol

Your decision will come down to distance. How far from your 220 to where you want to weld? I am a big drop cord fan, and someone told me that RV Extension cords are quite affordable and can handle the amperage.

 

[BMan2005]

Your decision will come down to distance. How far from your 220 to where you want to weld? I am a big drop cord fan, and someone told me that RV Extension cords are quite affordable and can handle the amperage.

110' from my meter pole to the shop, 50' to the small shed. Spending all the money to bury a cord and run power bothers me because I'll be leaving it behind, I can carry the drop cord with us when we move. Starting to lean that direction and just deal with the little inconvenience for the time until we get moved.

 

[Furu]

Another option to evaluate is to get welding cable extensions. These can go with you when you move and are nice to have so you can work outside your shop area no matter what, if can't get the item into the shop due to size or weight.
I got mine years ago from a company called Cable Yard and got RADAFLEX® 1/0 AWG Black Welding Cable.

It has to be gauged sized for length and amps but it is another option to consider. Maybe a combination of options to use.

As long as it is sized properly there are no disadvantages (other than weight and I guess cost) to having stinger and ground lead extensions only advantages. (IMO)

Gauge sizing it is very important however.

 

[BMan2005]

Furu, I really like that idea but our yard is fenced in & the meter pole is inside the yard. So I would have to walk around and into the gate to adjust settings, and being new I'll probably be adjusting alot to find the right amps. Haha

 

[BMan2005]

Called a buddy up that owns a junk yard and told him I needed some decent scrap steel to practice welding. He loaded me up with about 200lbs of scrap steel. Best part I told him I needed a welding table and he just got some industrial stacking shelves from a warehouse. He's going to cut the legs off next week for me to the height I need and I'm just giving him scrap steel price for it. I think it was 4x8' and stout . That was a good visit.

 

[Shield Arc]

BMan2005 here are the settings I use with my PowerArc 200ST. Now remember everyone welds a little differently, but these settings should get you close.

1/8-inch 6010
Flat, 70-AMPS
Vertical up hill, 65-AMPS

5/32-inch 6010
Flat, 100-AMPS
Vertical up hill, 90-AMPS.

3/32-inch 7018
Flat, 50 to 60-AMPS
Vertical up hill, 50 to 55-AMPS

1/8-inch 7018
Flat, 105-AMPS
Vertical up hill, 80-AMPS

5/32-inch 7018
Flat, 125-AMPS
Vertical up hill, 120-AMPS

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh, I forgot to mention. My 7018 comes right out of the rod oven, so the settings for 7018 maybe a little cold for you!