Stick Welding Performance Charts

[Beltzington]

View attachment 287786

These guidelines were taken from an old Miller SMAW training publication. Does the recommended amperage still apply to the new generation of inverter welders and is the rod chart still a reliable tool for selecting type and size? Also, is there any relationship between the diameter of the rod and the thickness of the metal being worked? TIA

 

[CNC Dan]

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These guidelines were taken from an old Miller SMAW training publication. Does the recommended amperage still apply to the new generation of inverter welders and is the rod chart still a reliable tool for selecting type and size? Also, is there any relationship between the diameter of the rod and the thickness of the metal being worked? TIA

i see that chart in many newer publications, such as the manual for my miller dynasty 200DX.

 

[Beltzington]

I guess what I really am trying to determine what can be done with an 115VAC Stick welder. Several companies sell these inverter type machines but the specifications don't seem to add up? Most require well over the standard 20-amp household circuit to weld at about 100-Amps. If you have to run a special 30-Amp 115VAC circuit why not just run a 230VAC and be done with it?

What would be considered the minimum output amperage for reliable single-pass welds on 3/8" steel and what rods are most used for general purpose welds?

 

[Shield Arc]

What would be considered the minimum output amperage for reliable single-pass welds on 3/8" steel and what rods are most used for general purpose welds?

If I had a machine that would put out 130-amps I wouldn't think twice about splicing 1-inch thick plate, with 1/8-inch 7018, with the correct bevel, and a weed burner for a little preheat.

 

[CNC Dan]

If I had a machine that would put out 130-amps I wouldn't think twice about splicing 1-inch thick plate, with 1/8-inch 7018, with the correct bevel, and a weed burner for a little preheat.

but you are lucky to get 100 amps output with a 20 amp 110/120 volt outlet.

 

[CNC Dan]

I guess what I really am trying to determine what can be done with an 115VAC Stick welder. Several companies sell these inverter type machines but the specifications don't seem to add up? Most require well over the standard 20-amp household circuit to weld at about 100-Amps. If you have to run a special 30-Amp 115VAC circuit why not just run a 230VAC and be done with it?

What would be considered the minimum output amperage for reliable single-pass welds on 3/8" steel and what rods are most used for general purpose welds?

single pass, fillit weld on .375 stock you could use 1/4" electrodes. thats going to take 200 amps to 275 amps.

but why single pass?
using 3/32" electrodes you can run 7018 at 90 amps off of a 110 volt 20 amp outlet. you will have to make several passes to weld 3/8" stock, but it can be done.

 

[Shield Arc]

Just can't get my mind around someone wanting a machine that will run on 120-volts! Might as well use a hot glue gun.:laughing:

100-amps max, pretty much limits you to 3/32-inch rod, so 1/4-inch material thickness. 3/8-inch with the correct joint prep, maybe!

 

[Beltzington]

Thanks folks - I am looking for something I can run off my 4400 watt generator and it looks like I could squeeze a 100 amps from the 230/20amp outlet without kicking the breaker. While on commercial power I could crankup the amps a little more if needed. Anyone familar with this old machine? I like its portability, simplicity, and outdoor rating.

Lincoln Electric INVERTEC V100-S & V130-S

 

[Shield Arc]

Never seen one of them, but I have it's big brother, best machine I've ever run! :cool2:

 

[joshuabardwell]

If you have to run a special 30-Amp 115VAC circuit why not just run a 230VAC and be done with it?

Because Marketing that's why. Because they can sell a machine that has "120 V" on the box and a high amperage rating, and most people won't know that they will never actually achieve that amperage rating without blowing a bunch of breakers or running a dedicated circuit. They will think, "Gosh! I can get 100+ amps on a 120 circuit with this welder! Why bother buying a 240 welder?"