ARC welder Info Required

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Griffdowg

Griffdowg

New Member
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7,194
Location
Somewhere in Bristol
Went to buy an Arc Welder this morning only to be told their 150a unit would not run off a mains plug :( only their 100a and 110a ones. these seem too small to me, or am i wrong?

So, whats the max I can run off a plug? 130a? I only ask because our house is rented and I dont want to be fettling with the electrics. or is there a way around it. I dont understand household electrics :eek:

Also, whats the max thickness these can weld. for example I would have thought a 150a unit would weld 4-5mm using 3.25 electrodes. or am i wrong? Need to modify my swing away so need something to do the thicker stuff also.

cheers.

G
 
I gots a cheapy from Aldi, 160amp (if I remember right) and it runs fine welds upto about 1/4" (made fence post brackets) steel no problem and hasn't caused any issues with me electrics either.
 
I've got a 200amp stick welder, it should have a 16amp plug but the 13amp is okay unless you wind it up past 150.

When I need more amps I run a heavy extension lead from the back of the cooker :D

To weld 4mm plate you can use 2.5 rods , just build it up with a few runs.
 
I did look at the 190, but think the 160 will do my needs.

so it looks like I will be back down tomorrow. the chap said "if they run off main plug they usually come with one attached". and the 160 didnt have one. think I will buy and fit one tomorrow then.

anyone offer advice on electrodes?

G
 
Griffdowg said:
I did look at the 190, but think the 160 will do my needs.

so it looks like I will be back down tomorrow. the chap said "if they run off main plug they usually come with one attached". and the 160 didnt have one. think I will buy and fit one tomorrow then.

anyone offer advice on electrodes?

G
Click to expand...
Yup thin uns fer motas
 
Make sure youget somegood electrodes. As I got some from screwfix the cheapies to pratice with and they are ****. So got some lincoln weld ones.
 
my arc welder was one of the cheapo red ones out of argos bout 15 years ago its max amps is 130 and it welds heavy section gurders no probs with 3mm rods but cuts out when it gets hot at full belt usualy bout 4 rods worth of welding then a 20 min wait for it to cool down and come back on again but does the job a treat
regards john
 
cheers lads :D you have all settled my mind. going back tomorrow for the 150a unit, fitting a plug and it should sort my needs... All i need to do now is practise :)

thanks.

G
 
Got mine from a local tool supplier, reduced due to being old stock in damaged boxes, same brand as they sell in halfords at £6 for 10 rods, But got 5KG's for £14 instead of £25 didn't have any trouble at all with them but had them in the oven for an hour or so before using them.
 
I keep the rods behind wood burner to dry.Best quality rods only.Od cheap 150A welder runs fine on normal mains.15 yrs ago Imade aframe for abale spike and it has carried 1000s of tons.this from about1/4in plte.Years ago we used to weld brackets to I section roof girders no probs.A MIG is often best for small steel tho.
 
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