welding carts

[jjeff]

I'm looking on local FB page for used cords.

If you have the time might as well check CL, abondoned boats in boat yards, abondoned mobile homes, rvs, finding and asking the owners of course I always see half collapsed, derelict campers and mobile homes around my neck of the woods. Make sure your up to date on vaccinations and tetanus lol. I have a 30' cord from a mobile home hanging in my shop ready to be repurposed Good luck.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I found a 50' 50A generator lead on Amazon for stupid cheap (was like 50% off for some reason) then put ends on it... The RV idea isn't bad, they're 30A usually which is likely enough.

 

[jjeff]

One thing is do if you buy wire that's going to dragged around a lot is I'd make sure it's pure copper stranded not aluminum copper clad. It's quite a bit more expensive but withstands constant bending/ coiling etc much better.

 

[jjeff]

I found a 50' 50A generator lead on Amazon for stupid cheap (was like 50% off for some reason) then put ends on it... The RV idea isn't bad, they're 30A usually which is likely enough.

Aren't most 30 amp RV chords 120 and 50 amp 220?

 

[dstig1]

Aren't most 30 amp RV chords 120 and 50 amp 220?

Most common wire/cable is rated to 600V typically, so it really doesn't matter what it was originally intended for if you are going to put the appropriately sized new ends on the cord. Of course these should be sized to match the current capacity of the wire, too, but there are some exceptions possible. One needs to be careful with those exceptions to make sure the cord does not get misused, however, and become a fire hazard so it is best to stick to the correct plugs for the wire gage...

 

[dstig1]

I figure I might as well show my cart. The cart came with the welder at auction (the XMT304) but I added the drawers and cable holders and redid the tank rack to hold three 120cf tanks. Making the drawers was a challenge and I am rather shocked they came out pretty good.

Before photos:

And after:

I never did paint it, beyond the black paint it had originally.

 

[ArlyA]

Most common wire/cable is rated to 600V typically, so it really doesn't matter what it was originally intended for if you are going to put the appropriately sized new ends on the cord. Of course these should be sized to match the current capacity of the wire, too, but there are some exceptions possible. One needs to be careful with those exceptions to make sure the cord does not get misused, however, and become a fire hazard so it is best to stick to the correct plugs for the wire gage...

My electrical buddy said I could go with 10 or 8 gauge wire. I'm favoring 8 and I've got no resposnces from my FB ad so far. My boss said he might have some at work.

 

[BukitCase]

Your bud's right on the money - I had a chunk of #8/4 SOOW cord so I made my extension from that - it's 85 feet long and I put 2 6-50 outlets on the end (lets me keep both the MM252 (draws 48 amps at full 250 amp output) and the plasma connected at the same time. The plaz at idle draws almost nothing, so isn't even noticeable.

Even at 85 feet, the #8 wire drops less than 2% voltage under full load. Basically it's like I'm plugged straight into the wall. I couldn't be happier, I don't even have to think about the cord.

On both ends I left the white wire (the 4th one) long but tucked out of the way, so if I ever want to change the male connector to a 4 wire (so I can have 120/240 available) it's no big deal - at that size, it's the WIRE that'll hurt your wallet more than the connectors... Steve

 

[WinterDeere]

Most common wire/cable is rated to 600V typically, so it really doesn't matter what it was originally intended for if you are going to put the appropriately sized new ends on the cord.

Not to pick nits, your conclusion is correct either way, but I see at least as much 300V cordage in daily life as 600V cordage. Either way, both are fine for residential 220V. The 600V stuff is nicer for shop applications, where mechanical damage is more likely the cause of failure than anything else, as it has a heavier jacket and insulation.

 

[ArlyA]

Not got a single reponce from the FB add "power cord wanted" as of yet... Oh well.