CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Welding ?

chiefheaphy

1/2 ton status
Joined
Mar 13, 2007
Posts
632
Reaction score
0
Location
East MASS
Can I hook up Lincoln ARC welder to my dryer outlet or do I need to have an electrician set me up somethin?
 
Well, we presume the welder is set for 220 and isn't a 110 model =))

As long as the plug fits, sure.

-- A
 
It will work as long as the welder does not pull more amps than the circut can handle. Most drier outlets are 30 amp. If your welder pulls more amps than that, dont do it.
Check the circut breaker or fuse for the drier and see what amperage it is rated for. Dont go over that rating.
 
It will work as long as the welder does not pull more amps than the circut can handle. Most drier outlets are 30 amp. If your welder pulls more amps than that, dont do it.
Check the circut breaker or fuse for the drier and see what amperage it is rated for. Dont go over that rating.

What he said.

Why? are you planning on doing some welding inside the house!!??:haha:
 
Yeah, its the lincoln "buzzbox" 220 50AMP. I want to run a 25' cord from where the dryer outlet is to the garage. The dryer outlet is not used and has two 30 AMP breakers. Can I replace the 30 AMP breakers with 50 AMP ones and change the 4 prong dryer plug to a 3 prong parallel?
 
Yeah, its the lincoln "buzzbox" 220 50AMP. I want to run a 25' cord from where the dryer outlet is to the garage. The dryer outlet is not used and has two 30 AMP breakers. Can I replace the 30 AMP breakers with 50 AMP ones and change the 4 prong dryer plug to a 3 prong parallel?


Just do it and let us know what happens.:eek1: Just kidding. Please be careful.:D
 
I'll tell you how it actually is. If you weld with the current turned way down around 60 to 80 amps for a 3/32" 7018 rod, you'll be fine. But, It's the wattage that matters, the dryer outlet is 30 amp x 220volt = 6,600 watts max. Your welder converts it to about 25 volt x 80 amps = 2000 watts. But, it is so damn risky that you'll overheat the plug and burn down your house late at night hours after the welding has stopped, get an electrician to run you a 100 amp sub panel to the garage off your existing circuit box and then a 50 amp outlet off that.
Also note, a stray spark from welding can smolder for hours in the corner of your garage and then catch on fire later.
 
Yeah, its the lincoln "buzzbox" 220 50AMP. I want to run a 25' cord from where the dryer outlet is to the garage. The dryer outlet is not used and has two 30 AMP breakers. Can I replace the 30 AMP breakers with 50 AMP ones and change the 4 prong dryer plug to a 3 prong parallel?

Never replace a breaker with a larger size breaker or fuse without increasing the wire size on that circut.. The breaker is rated for the wire size. #10 wire will only carry 30 amps safely without overheating the wire and possibly causing a fire behind the wall or other place in the circut.
For a 50 amp welder you should have 50 amp breaker and #8 wire to be safe
and comply with the national electric code.
 
Last edited:
I am going to use a NEMA type 6-50 recepatacle wired to a 50 amp double pole breaker at the existing main breaker. Should I use #8 or #6 wire. The length will be about 30 feet.
 
It never hurts to run bigger wire. The wire will be able to handle a bigger load without over heating in the event a breaker doesn't trip. It can also hold a large draw for longer.

Example, I have two extension cords. One is small, but runs 100' (no 50', but I was pissed at it), the other is very large, running 100'. The smaller one is easier to handle, so I hooked it up to my table saw. The blade would barely turn. I thought something was wrong with my saw until I felt the cable. It was warm. Changed to the bigger cable and all was right with the world.
 
I am going to use a NEMA type 6-50 recepatacle wired to a 50 amp double pole breaker at the existing main breaker. Should I use #8 or #6 wire. The length will be about 30 feet.
It depends on what kind of wire you run. If you use #8 THHN which is run in EMT conduit it will be fine.
If you use NM or UF wire, Romax ect... The 3 or 4 wires bundled in the white, black or yellow plastic coating that you usually see in houses you should use #6
 
I have both a Millermatic 210 and EconoTig in my shop. I end up running a #4 wire 100 amp sub to the shop. I had the power company come check my wires and ground.

I would suggest either 6 or 4 wire and run it to a sub panel. If you goggle sub panels you should find all kinds of stuff on it. You can go to home depot and get the correct plug for you welder.

It's one of those things that you should do correctly and not short cut, it might cost you your house and everything you care about.
 
Is a suppanel necesary even if I have plenty of space in the main breaker?
I understand the danger involved in wiring and will have someone check it before I use it.
 
Somewhere on your welder or in the manual it will tell you what size breaker to use. For instance i have a millermatic 200 which says to use a 35 amp breaker.
 

Latest Posts

Top Bottom