Duncanstives
10-17-2007, 02:00 PM
I know there are a ton of other topics so hopefully no one will kill me for making another but I have a couple of questions which are not answered elsewhere:
1. My shop is in a barn with no electricity available. I have got a crappy 2.5kw generator but it is only 120. Is it in you guys opinion possible to MIG weld a tube frame buggy with a 120 welder? This also leads me to my next question:
2. Anyone know how much current these things pull FROM THE WALL? I have seen references to 300 amps or 90 amps or whatever but I am unsure of the voltage that the welding occures at. I know a 240 welder certainly is not drawing 300 amps at 240 from the outlet (do they even MAKE breakers for residential use that big?!... LOL). Watts law tells me my generator can supply like 20 amps (2.5kw @ 120v continious=20 amps... 3.5kw peak). This SHOULD be ok cause a typical 120 outlet is rates at 15A so I would assume welders are designed not to draw more than that?
3. A final question on an unrelated note: My co-workers tell me it will be possible to teach myself to mig weld with a couple of pointers from them and a few scrap pieces of metal (obviously my skill level will improve with expirience like anything else) but right now I pretty much know nothing so... Aside from the welder itself I know I need a mask and thats pretty much it... Can someone give me a rundown of everything I will need so I can get it all next time I go on a shopping spree? Suggestions of exact models for would be REALLY appeciated if only so I can look them up and check them out for myself and kind of compare.
THANKS!
1. My shop is in a barn with no electricity available. I have got a crappy 2.5kw generator but it is only 120. Is it in you guys opinion possible to MIG weld a tube frame buggy with a 120 welder? This also leads me to my next question:
2. Anyone know how much current these things pull FROM THE WALL? I have seen references to 300 amps or 90 amps or whatever but I am unsure of the voltage that the welding occures at. I know a 240 welder certainly is not drawing 300 amps at 240 from the outlet (do they even MAKE breakers for residential use that big?!... LOL). Watts law tells me my generator can supply like 20 amps (2.5kw @ 120v continious=20 amps... 3.5kw peak). This SHOULD be ok cause a typical 120 outlet is rates at 15A so I would assume welders are designed not to draw more than that?
3. A final question on an unrelated note: My co-workers tell me it will be possible to teach myself to mig weld with a couple of pointers from them and a few scrap pieces of metal (obviously my skill level will improve with expirience like anything else) but right now I pretty much know nothing so... Aside from the welder itself I know I need a mask and thats pretty much it... Can someone give me a rundown of everything I will need so I can get it all next time I go on a shopping spree? Suggestions of exact models for would be REALLY appeciated if only so I can look them up and check them out for myself and kind of compare.
THANKS!