Source for 8/3 extention cord wire

Haywire · Nov 28, 2011

I want to make an extension cord for my welder but haven't been able to source the 8/3 wire anywhere. The ready made cords you buy have the standard welding plugs on them and I'm set up for NEMA 10-50 plugs. I just need the wire.

Any suggestions? The Lowes big wire rack didn't have any and the electrical supply houses around here don't handle anything like that bigger than 10ga.

thanks,
Ian

magicheater · Nov 28, 2011

find a local electrical contractor supplier. 8-3 portable cable is not common, how much do you need?

Haywire · Nov 28, 2011

Not a whole lot, maybe 15 feet. I may end up having to convert to the standard welding plug and just buy a pre-made 25 footer.

Ian

magicheater · Nov 28, 2011

contact a local electrician and pick his brain, maybe he has a piece left over from a job.

rasimmo · Nov 28, 2011

You should be able to find it at an electrical supply store like posted above. What I think you are looking for is called S-O cord(at least in my neck of the woods it is). Round, flexable, rubber coated, just like a regular extension cord, just bigger

eastexan · Nov 28, 2011

Ian, I bet you would do fine with a 10/3 extension cord for your welder.

I had been using a 60' 12/3wg extension cord for several small projects with my Miller Thunderbolt before I found out it wasn't a 10/3 cord. It had been left behind by a contractor several years before.

Bottom line was that it worked fine and never got hot, even being 12ga.
I took my time cleaning the slag between passes and sticking closely to the cycle time and that probably helped the cord from getting too warm.

I wouldn't think there would be a problem at all with using a 15' 10/3 extension cord. I imagine that your machine has only a 12ga cord on it already.

I'm not saying for you to do it, but I'm just relating my experience.

ol'oilburner · Nov 28, 2011

They are not cheap, but you might want to look at a 50amp marine or RV extension cord.

JoeL4330 · Nov 28, 2011

why not buy a welding extension cord and make a pigtail ...(or change out the plug and/or receptacle...but the pigtail(s) would give you max versatility) ...25ft 8/3 cordsets start around $55

I've made such pigtails to get around the (stupid) Miller MVP problem

Travelover · Nov 28, 2011

Maybe not totally kosher, but I found lots of new 6 gauge THHN wire at my local metal scrap yard. It seems the electricians sell the ends off big rolls. I found pieces 25 feet or so. I cut three lengths, taped them together well and put plugs on the ends.