Looking for a new welder

[pgk]

Most Mig transformer power supplies are constant voltage, stick or tig transformer power supplies are constant current, I would would pick up a mig welder much more useful in most cases. If you really feel that you need a stick welder for occasional use, look for a used one there's a lot of them out there.

Pete

 

[Sodo]

120v at the end of a hundred foot extension cord. 1/8" 7018 upside down no problem.

That's good to know. What size was the 100' cord?
120v @ 20Amps thru 12ga cord at 100 ft is 6% voltage drop

I'd like to see pics of that weld.

 

[Lnk]

That's good to know. What size was the 100' cord?
120v @ 20Amps thru 12ga cord at 100 ft is 6% voltage drop

I'd like to see pics of that weld.

The cord was #12 copper. A quality cord. I don't have any pictures of the weld, sorry. I am envious of those that seem to have pictures of everything they do, I just never seem to have a camera on me. The wife and I share a cell phone, I never carry it. Come to think of it, she doesn't either very often. Only when we go out together somewhere.

Not sure that the welder was drawing 20 amps though. Was achieving full penetration on the 3/16 steel at 70 amp setting dcen.

 

[Ritothebull]

The cord was #12 copper. A quality cord. I don't have any pictures of the weld, sorry. I am envious of those that seem to have pictures of everything they do, I just never seem to have a camera on me. The wife and I share a cell phone, I never carry it. Come to think of it, she doesn't either very often. Only when we go out together somewhere.

Not sure that the welder was drawing 20 amps though. Was achieving full penetration on the 3/16 steel at 70 amp setting dcen.

!/8'' 7018 at 70 amps?:scratchchin:

 

[Sodo]

Yeah I'm just guessing on the 20Amps cuz some fellas say they've popped 15A breakers running a 120v welder. So lets say it was 16Amps that's 5% voltage drop at the end of 100 ft of 12ga.

This forum has a huge 'history' of 120v welders NOT working,,, that has become become FACT, to the point that even members (who could not POSSIBLY know) will argue the point and even get MAD. All based on zero EVIDENCE, just speculation. They seem to WANT it to be true (for some reason).

So LNK,,,, (who does not appear to have been born yesterday, or even 2 weeks ago) posting that it can be done, with the further detriment of ~5% voltage drop, is a curiosity. :thumbsup: That's why I'd like to see the weld pic. But anyway I understand you didn't take a pic cuz you had a task to do, not necessarily entertain people on the internet. But there ARE some here who want to learn.

 

[sd455dan]

!/8'' 7018 at 70 amps?:scratchchin:

That does Seem low for 7018...

The extension cord of 100 feet being used and welding with 1/8 7018 got me wondering...if my Lotos plasma/tig/stick would be able to stick weld the same as posted.

So I tried it with my 14 gauge? 100 foot extension cord on 120 VAC using 1/8 7018 and it did weld but the arc seemed to drop out a couple times on the short weld. Also had to turn up the amps to full power to.

Camera needs charged and haven't found the charger yet will post a pic if I find it.

Got a pic,
and cord


can see where I had to restart the arc (middle left) and then where it dropped out the second time on right and that's where I left it.

With a better 100 foot cord, think it would definitely hold the arc better. no problem when welding at 240v

 

[Sodo]

14ga at 100 ft, if 16Amps, is a 10% voltage drop at the welder end.
12ga has 33% more current carrying capacity than 14ga.

Note that running 240v (2-phase) thru (the 3 wires of) the 14ga cord you HAVE..... will fully DOUBLE the amount of power that can go thru that SAME 14ga cord. So if the job at the end of the 100ft cord is "important", like not just a fencepost,,,, and you have 240v; and a 100ft cord, and a dual-voltage welder; this is something you CAN do......with sensibilities, full understanding, and precautions etc.

Anyway, Thanks SD for going top the effort to help TBN members and posting a photo, and thanks LNK for bringing this all up!

 

[Lnk]

Yeah I'm just guessing on the 20Amps cuz some fellas say they've popped 15A breakers running a 120v welder. So lets say it was 16Amps that's 5% voltage drop at the end of 100 ft of 12ga.

This forum has a huge 'history' of 120v welders NOT working,,, that has become become FACT, to the point that even members (who could not POSSIBLY know) will argue the point and even get MAD. All based on zero EVIDENCE, just speculation. They seem to WANT it to be true (for some reason).

So LNK,,,, (who does not appear to have been born yesterday, or even 2 weeks ago) posting that it can be done, with the further detriment of ~5% voltage drop, is a curiosity. :thumbsup: That's why I'd like to see the weld pic. But anyway I understand you didn't take a pic cuz you had a task to do, not necessarily entertain people on the internet. But there ARE some here who want to learn.

I am not one to embellish. When I have time, i will duplicate the conditions and perform a weld to take pictures of. I understand that also my welder displayed 70 amps, I never tested the current with my clamp on amp meter. I will do that also, so others may learn. You are right, that we must all provide as accurate data as possible. I will do so and post the results. Would a couple beads on some 1/4" flat stock be sufficient? It's what I have laying around.

Oh, Sodo, you are welcome.

 

[Ritothebull]

If that machine can burn a 1/8'' rod on 120v and on a 100' cord I'm getting one. I had a couple of Miller Maxstars back when they first came out and they would constantly trip breakers just about everywhere I tried to used them on 120v circuits, and that was with 3/32'' rod.
I'm really hoping that the technology has improved that much because it would make my life a whole lot easier at some of the locations I have to deal with.

 

[Lnk]

If that machine can burn a 1/8'' rod on 120v and on a 100' cord I'm getting one. I had a couple of Miller Maxstars back when they first came out and they would constantly trip breakers just about everywhere I tried to used them on 120v circuits, and that was with 3/32'' rod.
I'm really hoping that the technology has improved that much because it would make my life a whole lot easier at some of the locations I have to deal with.

Just in from welding. I could not weld and read clamp on amp meter. So will have to do without that bit. Used a phone to take the pictures. then had to resize. Hope they came out all right.
Welder setting DCEN

Extension cord with 120Vdongle

Weld 1/8" Hobart 7018. No rod oven, stored inside the house, ac running

Back side of 1/4" plates.

This was done on a 20amp dedicated circuit outside my shed.

Hope this is enough info. Please excuse my welding skills. I did not clean or prep the plates.

LNK