Need Your Thoughts On A New Welder

[jthibodeau89]

When looking at Lowes or other big box store check for precut tag ends. You can find them discounted 20-50%. I paid something like $0.65/ft for a 30' piece of 2-2-4 AL to repair a spot the excavator dug up. Needed 25', but the 30' cut piece was 45% discount.

No need for conduit indoors. I ran the 225'direct bury 2-2-2-4 cable to the barn underground in 1 1/4" pvc conduit just to be safe.

 

[Sberry]

2 alum is good for 90 panel to panel or to a recept. Good for 100 for service entrance.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I'm late to the discussion, but my Miller Multimatic 200 does really, really well on a 20A 110 up to about 5/16" material 6010 and mig. On 220 20Amp it goes to 3/8." Neat welder, portable, easy to use. I've mostly used it on 75/25 mix using the mig function, but even with all the new stuff, I'd buy my Miller Multimatic 200 again.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm late to the discussion, but my Miller Multimatic 200 does really, really well on a 20A 110 up to about 5/16" material 6010 and mig. On 220 20Amp it goes to 3/8." Neat welder, portable, easy to use. I've mostly used it on 75/25 mix using the mig function, but even with all the new stuff, I'd buy my Miller Multimatic 200 again.

They are an excellent welder for my uses, too.

 

[yomax4]

To back up a page or 2. It doesn't matter if you have a $90 POS from Ebay, a $3000 Miller XMT Or a $3000 Hypertherm. If it's an inverter and out of warranty and the main board blows, It's Junk. To say a Miller, Lincoln, Hobart or other is redeemable because they have service centers is bunk. I had a Hypertherm Powermax 45 60 days out of the 3 yr warranty and it blew up. Hypertherm said So sorry it's out of warranty and the new main board is $1365.00. Some main boards cost more than the welder cost. I see All Brands from 3.2-5 years old blown up at the service centers I visit and they all share the same issue. None are made in USA.
They ( All Brands other than OTC, Lorch and Fronius) are imported from China, Italy and Mexico. All you can do is pray that yours wasn't built on Friday. Good Luck

 

[Avenger]

Wanted to update this thread. I took the advise posted here and decided to run a 100amp sub panel into my garage, with a 60amp circuit off of that for my new welder. I did some research into how this is accomplished and soon realized that I'm in over my head. I can run the wires, but hooking things into the panels is beyond my knowledge. I called a residential electrical company to provide a quote. Two weeks later, they finally showed up. Looked at my project and said "Oh! This is really easy!" and then quoted me $4,127 for the project!
At this point, I've already priced the components I need, and the total was just over $700. I denied that quote.

Fortunately, my friend who is a retired electrician was able to help me. I purchased the components and spent the afternoon this last weekend installing the sub panel. Got the circuit ran and all is well. Last night, I finished putting together the welding cart from Everlast and put my new Everlast PowerMTS 251Si on it!

Thank you to everyone who commented and helped me figure this thing out. I cant wait to get to work and get some projects done!

 

[Sberry]

As a general note. The new panel was a great idea and great investment especially at the right cost. Does your welder come with a plug and cord? If its hard wired and comes 10 cord or better then a 60A is fine but if you use a 50A recept it should have a 50 breaker. There are some machines it really wouldnt be an issue but really a 50 outlet should have a 50 breaker due to machine design.

 

[Avenger]

Yeah, the only reason I went 60amp is because of availability. I may downgrade it when I find a 50amp, but everyone was sold out around here. I contacted Everlast, and they said a 60amp will be just fine. The welder itself has a breaker on it too. Not sure the rating, didn't look that close. I think I'll be fine. I hope I'll be fine.

 

[Sberry]

Probably is. If it has a number 12 cord sposed to be on 50. Its not that big a deal, I only mention it cause its a subject with lots of confusion and a lot of opinion that isnt very code compliant.

 

[Sberry]

I saw the chart the other day about how to calc the stuff from what is the electric service guide on these machines but was so busy I forget exactly now. I need to see if I can find it again. Might have been on Miller or Hobart. That machine has a lot of power. So many features I would be lost.