I need a welder....

[3RRL]

That's pretty good advice highbeam, since I'll be welding from the generator this weekend. (The toothbar we are both commenting about in another thread)
I Have never done that before and I was wondering exactly the same thing. Thanks everyone for the information and confidence. I have a Generac 5500-8500surge, so it should be fine from what you've said.

 

[AL_Josh]

OK, I can get the Lincoln Electric Welder from Lowe's for $215.00 because they will meet and beat Home Depots price of $239.00.

What kind of adapter will I need to get and wire up to the generator? I have freinds I can ask how to but I do not know which plugs I need.

I am waiting on some other stuff before I purchase it. I am just trying to gather all the info.

Thanks again!

 

[zuiko]

It will have the big 50amp 3 pin plug... don't remember the name off hand but it looks like a normal polarized plug only a lot bigger.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Al, I think MMM was referring to "Out of Position" welds when he used the term "OP". Overhead passes might also be correct, but I think you probably get the basic idea from his post. If you're working on something large that you can't really move around the way you want so that all the welds will be "in position" (like butt-welding two pieces of steel that are lying flat on your welding table), some of the welds will be vertical or overhead (Out of Position), which requires a bit of extra technique and practice to perform as well as "in position" welds. For vertical welds, I usually go from the top down with MIG, and with overheads it doesn't really matter which way you go, just wear your welding hat. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Highbeam]

Cool, good price. You need to figure out which female plug your generator has and then which male plug your welder has. The wire between the two plugs needs to be capable of handling the amps of the generator. You will find the wire labeled as flexible extension cord. It only needs three conductors since that is all your welder needs but it will be confusing because your generator plug actually has 4 prongs. Get one of those electrical friends to make the adapter pigtail since you need to know which of the four wires to leave out.

I'll repost in a few with my adapter photos.

 

[Highbeam]

Here's the welder and cord.

 

[Highbeam]

This is 1/2 plate sorta buttwelded to 3/16 channel. Anyway, the AC225 can lay a bead.

 

[sodamo]

I have new found respect for this thread today. I hooked my Lincoln AC225 (HD $240) to my Generac 7550EXL (13500 surge watts). I made an adapter cable using the receptable called out in the Lincoln manual and the plug identified in the Generac manual and 20 ft of 10/4 cable. I live off grid, so this is my only option. I suspect if I hadn't tripped the generator circuit breaker 1000 times, my project may have taken half as long /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Actually, this was my first time ever using a stick, and if memory serves, my last welding experience was oxy/acet torch about 50 years ago when I was in 4th grade.
Can't say my welding is even close to your quality, but I think it improved over course of the day.
Tomorrow I will post pics of the completed project (paint is drying) probably Here

David

 

[Highbeam]

Even my ugliest welds have held far beyond expectation. The weld pictured was a single pass. Bigger metal, more heat, well ground, new rod, and indoor welding make that tombstone shine. My ugliest welds were done in the wind, on thin metal, with wet rod, through paint. Looks like birdpoo but holds.

I am curious why you kept popping the circuit breaker? That generator sounds a good bit more peppy than mine and I have yet to pop the breaker welding unless I also run the set of 110 flood lights.

 

[AL_Josh]

Well, I was looking on the Lincoln Electric web site and found they have a AC225C which has a Rated CC AC Output of 170/25/20%.

What would be the diference in the regular AC225 Rated at 225/25/20%?

Would it be as capable?

It is more compact.
AC225C
Thanks again.