Wire feed to stick?

[Repairman Jim]

Hello, can you modify a wire feed welder to a stick? I wanted to do low amp welding and I thought that might reduce the heat. My stick welder goes down to 40 amps. It still heats up a lot when using a small diameter stick.

 

[Shield Arc]

Jim on the whole you can't convert a CV, (Mig) to weld stick, (CC).
If it will help I know an old trick to lower the amps of your stick, (CC) machine.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Jim on the whole you can't convert a CV, (Mig) to weld stick, (CC).
If it will help I know an old trick to lower the amps of your stick, (CC) machine.

Don't leave us hanging!!! What's the trick?

I've had plenty of times when I wished I could get my stick welder to go lower.

 

[deereman75]

Jim on the whole you can't convert a CV, (Mig) to weld stick, (CC).
If it will help I know an old trick to lower the amps of your stick, (CC) machine.

I wouldnt mine hearing that trick! My lincoln always runs way too hot for thin stuff.

 

[Shield Arc]

:laughing:


Dropper resistor trick for CC constant current machines only!

You need to use a dropper resistor made from a piece of 3/32" or 1/8" filler rod, depending on the amount of amps you want to drop.
Attach the 1/8" filler rod to the welding bench with a vise-grip and let it hang vertical then attach the ground clamp to the other end of the filler rod.
As the arc is established the filler rod (dropper resistor) will begin to heat thus lowering out-put amps at the torch / stinger.
CAUTION as the filler rod can become cherry red depending on the amount of amps being dropped.
To adjust for the correct amount of amps required of the weldment, one could trim the filler rod to different lengths or change the diameter although I've never found this to be necessary.

 

[deereman75]

I am going to have to try that, thanks.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm now even happier that my machine has a dial instead of pre-set taps.

I also have a lil 30/70a 1/16 - 5/64 stick job that I do sheet metal work with on occasion.

soundguy

 

[deereman75]

I'm now even happier that my machine has a dial instead of pre-set taps.

I also have a lil 30/70a 1/16 - 5/64 stick job that I do sheet metal work with on occasion.

soundguy

Hey I have got a lincoln tombstone, and it almost never leaves the 75 amp tap. It has a 100% duty cycle there only, and it is perfect for my most used rod, a 3/32 6011.

 

[Shield Arc]

I am going to have to try that, thanks.

This is actually used more often when using a Tig torch on a CC machine.

 

[Soundguy]

Hey I have got a lincoln tombstone, and it almost never leaves the 75 amp tap. It has a 100% duty cycle there only, and it is perfect for my most used rod, a 3/32 6011.

I use 1/8 6011 the most, with 1/8 6013 the next.. my amps are usually 90-105 somewhere int here.

I think my machine has 100% at 100A.. so I'm also welding at the 'magic spot' as you are. works out good that way.

soundguy