small arc welder recommendation

[California]

I haven't been happy with 120v welding, but perhaps there are times when it is good. Frankly, most of my welding is less than 100 Amps.

I ignored flux core wire for quite some time, but tried it a bit, and really isn't that bad, and you don't have to drag a bottle around.

This hitch ball mount was welded on with flux core and a Century 130, a quality 120v welder marketed to auto body shops. I think projects like this are the limit for 120 volts.

The Century manual says for '130' it needs a 30 amp breaker, so actual output in typical use is likely in the 90~100A range.

 

[chim]

I've had an Everlast 200STi for a couple years and really like it. It's an inverter 120/240V DC stick machine that is smooth and lightweight. It can do lighter stuff at 120V, and it's happy running off of the 120/240v generator (repurposed light tower). If you do run an inverter welder on a generator, verify the THD is less than 5%. It gets used more frequently than the Millermatic 175 I've had for many years.

 

[Jrasband]

I've had an Everlast 200STi for a couple years and really like it. It's an inverter 120/240V DC stick machine that is smooth and lightweight. It can do lighter stuff at 120V, and it's happy running off of the 120/240v generator (repurposed light tower). If you do run an inverter welder on a generator, verify the THD is less than 5%. It gets used more frequently than the Millermatic 175 I've had for many years.

Yeah I live off solar and so my first stick welder I got ran great off my powerhorse generator for the first 5 hours or so, than it never seemed to do it anymore without lots of splatter and I couldnt mantain a arc. So I started looking for a new generator with low THC. Then I got turned to welder generators and never looked back. I bought a Ruffian ES 150G EDW

 

[MillWeld]

I looked at the Titanium Stick 225 from Harbor Freight and saw that the plug won't fit. Here's my 220 outlet. I forgot to post it earlier. Does this limit me to a wimpy welder?

 

[Racenut]

I looked at the Titanium Stick 225 from Harbor Freight and saw that the plug won't fit. Here's my 220 outlet. I forgot to post it earlier. Does this limit me to a wimpy welder?

That's not a 220V outlet, that's a 120V 20A outlet. Similar to a 120v 15A but the one prong turned sideways.

Corrected... I should pay closer attention before trying to be smart on the internet

 

[RandyT]

That's not a 220V outlet, that's a 120V 20A outlet. Similar to a 120v 15A but the one prong turned sideways.

Actually that is a 220 v 20 amp single outlet

Legrand® Pass & Seymour Ivory 20-Amp Side Wire Single Outlet

These sturdy receptacles offer excellent value. They deliver rugged, lasting construction that hold up in a high-use commercial environment. This outlet is ideal for use where a second outlet would not be needed, such as behind an appliance like a refrigerator.

www.menards.com

 

[RandyT]

I looked at the Titanium Stick 225 from Harbor Freight and saw that the plug won't fit. Here's my 220 outlet. I forgot to post it earlier. Does this limit me to a wimpy welder?

I suspect the welder has the 50 amp welder outlet on the cord.

Legrand® Pass & Seymour® 30/50-Amp NEMA 6-30P NEMA 6-50P Angle Straight Blade Plug

Power devices are used in industrial, institutional, commercial, and certain residential applications to provide higher amperage power to equipment such as air conditioners, copiers, small welders, ranges, and dryers. Legrand power plugs are made of quality, time tested materials, so you can be...

www.menards.com

 

[Jrasband]

You can get or make a adapter to go from one plug to another, go to Home depot and ask someone in electrical to help you.

 

[California]

You can get or make a adapter to go from one plug to another, go to Home depot and ask someone in electrical to help you.

Here's something similar, to give you an idea. Adapt this idea as needed.

I had an old-style 3 blade 'clothes dryer' outlet. So I made an adapter using an old dryer cord, going to a 'welder' (6-50R) outlet.

 

[MillWeld]

I looked at an enlarged picture of the plug on the Titanium 225 and the prongs ARE parallel. When I was at HR I didn't look closely enough at the plug; I just saw a big black one that looked like a 50 amp one. So, I think I am back in the running.