welder question

[reggiejr]

Hi all,
Ive been looking at welders for a while now for general fab work and other various repairs on my implements ect.
From the reading I've done on here the 120v migs seem to be pretty limited to light work and they are pretty pricey too.
The power arc 200 caught my eye and seems to be more of what i was looking for as far as versatility and the price and no gas to worry about either.
Classic wiring problem though I've got only 120v available in my garage.
If a had the money i would run a bigger under ground line to my garage but its a pretty good distance from the house and it would probably cost big money.
I do have a 6200 running watt 9500 starting watt generator with a 240v 30amp outlet could this power a welder like this if so could it damage my generator?
Im still trying to figure my options thanks for any advise.

 

[deereman75]

If you can swing the extra, I would get the stickweld 250 from longevity insted of the power arc. The adjustable hot start and arc force are really nice. I know they can be ran on a genset, I run mine on a 30 amp breaker, and it has no trouble running the biggest rods I use. (7018 1/8)

 

[Groo]

Another vote for just run the generator.

Can you get your implements and other projects into the garage? If so, stick with MIG. There are several machines that can be run on 120 or 240 volt. that would make it so you only have to fire up the genny for the big stuff, and not for tacking and thin walled repairs.
here is one; Welders Direct: Millermatic 211 w/FREE Stuff
I'm guessing you will be happier with a machine like that than a stick welder as someone with no or little experience.
You can also use self shielding wire for outdoors, but I didn't care for it when I tried it. Maybe that was just because I was using it with a crappy welder.

If most of your work will be outdoors, then go stick. If you think you may be working with Aluminum in the future, I'd go TIG.

 

[mrmikey]

If you do decide to go with a generator to run your welder be aware that a lot of generators do not produce a true sine wave which is bad for an invertor type welder.
If you can swing it, I'd get rid of the generator and get a welder/generator combo. Just my opinion....Mike

 

[Redneck in training]

I don't have personal experience but I thought that inverters care less what the shape of the AC is. Transformers do care not necessarily about the perfect sine wave but wave symmetry. Asymmetrical wave contains DC component that might burn the transformer.

My thinking is that inverters rectify the AC and then chop it (switch it on/off) to produce required voltage and current.

 

[Ken45101]

Repairs on your implements? I assume that means fairly heavy stuff, well beyond what a 120v unit can do and maybe more than your generator can handle? I haven't tried running mine on the generator yet.

I too wanted to work on tractor and skid steer attachments. I went with the Miller 211 and I'm quite happy with it but fortunately my shop has 220 50 amp service in it.

Be aware that flux core wire costs 3-4x what solid wire costs. OTOH, you can buy a lot of wire for the cost of a 25/75 bottle.

Ken

 

[cowski]

i would recommend you get a ac/dc thunderbolt and run a wire to your shop.but for using what you have ,i have a 140 everlast that i use and like.it would work for you too.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a Miller 200A acdc 220v stick welder that sometimes I use on fencing so I power it with a gas powered generator when out of the shop. I had a 5500w unit and even using 3/32 sticks it just didn't have adequate power. I have a 6500w unit now and it works ok.

So, if you plan on using a gas power unit to run your welder, you will need about 10kw to do an adequate job with larger sticks that are more suited to large welding jobs, otherwise you will get hoarse uttering expletives while trying to do what you need done.

HTH,
Mark

 

[HCJtractor]

I have your same issue and have some of the units others recommend. I have a Powerarc 200 and it works great. I have not run it off a generator but believe it would do fine. I also have a Miller 211 (110/220V) and it also is great. I would say it is easier to make pretty welds than the Powerarc, but of course I use shielding gas indoors. I often run it off a generator w/o any problems. I power it with a Miller Bobcat welder/generator. As you can see, I have lots of options. The Powerarc is really smooth and for what it costs, it seems it would be worth a try as a great starter unit. Running power to your building may be cheaper than you think, especially if you do most of the labor yourself and just have an electrician design it and maybe do the part that requires skill. Plugging in to an outlet certainly is more convenient than having to crank up a generator. If you do get power, the 211 is hard to beat, but it is way more expensive and demands a generator bigger than yours. You could get a Powerarc and run power for the cost of a 211. I also agree an alternative is a welder/generator, but unless you go used, expect to pay $1500 minimum. My advice is work on a proper power source first, and then the welder options are unlimited.

 

[Texasmark]

I have power to my building. What I said was that when I needed to do some fence work, and since I have abandoned wood and gone exclusively with steel posts, and also when I am doing shelters for equipment, welding steel purlins to other support structure and all, I use the portable power and the same stick welder that I use in the building, off my 220V AC service, for heavy work, using my MIG's for light stuff.

Mark