Arc Welder

[mazzo]

Hi

In the past I've used an arc welder but mostly a MIG.

I've just bought myself an arc welder today with a top current of 130A from Screwfix. (Wolf 130A arc welder)

Now I've got it home it says on it that the max current for the supply is 27A !!! There isn't a 3 pin plug either - just the wires with the earth having a ring connector on the end.

Has anyone got a similar welder and do they use it from a normal 13A socket and possibly 13A extension lead? It is single phase but I can't remember in the past ever having to have "super" power supplies or extension leads.

I'm going to use 2.5mm rods on a current less than the max.

Any advice about the safety / stability of using something like this on normal mains would be helpful.

Thanks

[lambaj]

I've used a 130amp MIG for moons now, always on a 13A supply with no issues what so ever.
Have had trouble maintaining a good Hi power weld down a 200m extension lead, but I guess thats kinda obvious.
What a lot of people do not realise is that a 13A outlet can and will provide considerably more, and the 13A fuse will sit there and deliver it for a lot longer than you might expect. The fuse is really there to protect against short circuits, not short duration overcurrents.
Additionally, assuming you are powering the welder off a ring main rather than a spur, then the ring will provide 32 amps continuous power around the ring, so the trip will not go unless somebody switches on a kettle and a hair drier at the same time your welding. I arranged my garage to have its own independant 32A ring main separate from the main house ring mains. I can weld and even if the 3hp compressor kicks in, it still keeps the power going.

Basically as long as your house/garage is wired with the correct size of supply cables and your plugs are in good order and well wired, then you should have no problems running a 130A arc on a 13A outlet. Also 2.5mm rods will not want 130A....... meltdown!

If you do ahve agro, re-post and I will try to offer some advise on improving the situation.

Cheers
Tony (HA21)

[mazzo]

Thanks Tony.

I was surprised at it not having a normal domestic 3 pin plug on it, but I think I will check with Screwfix in the morning before I stick a plug on it and invalidate the returns policy.

Looked at others (Draper 130A) and they all have normal plugs - can't think why the Wolf one doesn't.

Thanks again.

Maz

[lambaj]

Hi again

Just out of interest, its no longer legal to sell a piece of domestic equipment without a fitted plug - something to do with stopping non-competent people blowing them selves up and burning the house down!

Screwfix may claim that its industrial equipment, or that it should be hard wired , but thats very odd indeed.

Have you got the model number - you have my interest !

Tony

[lambaj]

Just had a look at the screwfix site and downloaded the instructions....

Personally I'd stick a 13A plug on it and leave it at that. As a matter of good practice, as this is a high current device, spend a couple of £ on a good quality plug like the ones manufactured by MK electrical rather than a cheap and nasty 30p jobbie. Else you might find the plug getting very warm.....

Make sure you strip the wires carefully and don't accidently cut half of the conducting wires, do a neat job and make sure the terminals are properly tightened. Should then give you no problems.
Oh, obviously fit a 13A fuse!

Legal disclaimer etc blah blah blah.....

Cheers

Tony

[banjodave]

i bought a clarke mig from machine mart that came with no plug also - very annoying as shops were shut and it put me a day behind on the job -i too thought it wasnt allowed but assumed it was industrial so they could save them self the 10p or whatever it costs them for a plu....

[mazzo]

Thanks for the replies. I am in two minds.

Perhaps I should take it back and go for a MIG. It is ages since I used an Arc and if I recall, it was a right pain to weld thin metal. I know it used to irritate me when my MIG wire went through the metalwork, let alone the arc cutting it's way through.

Both of you have MIGs, so perhaps I should stick to that instead.

Does /has anyone used arc for floor panel type welds with any degree of success?

[lisbon_road]

MIG much better for the sort of metal used in cars. Some welders are very good but I would not personally try to weld car sheet with an arc welder. Agree that it should have a plug fitted legally, odd that. Jon

[Sid]

As long as you keep it below about 110Amps and declamp the rod quickly if it
sticks to the workpiece then it will be OK on the 13A fuse.
My 140Amp SIP arc welder blows fuses if I turn it up to max, but is fine as
long as I keep it off the top quarter of the range. It's rare you need to go
that high anyway.

Sid

----- Original Message -----
From: "mazzo" <viva@mazmail.freeuk.com>
To: <bodywork@vauxhallviva.com>
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 8:32 PM
Subject: Arc Welder


>
> Hi
>
> In the past I've used an arc welder but mostly a MIG.
>
> I've just bought myself an arc welder today with a top current of 130A
from Screwfix.
>
> Now I've got it home it says on it that the max current for the supply is
27A !!!
>
> Has anyone got a similar welder and do they use it from a normal 13A
socket and possibly 13A extension lead? It is single phase but I can't
remember in the past ever having to have "super" power supplies or extension
leads.
>
> I'm going to use 2.5mm rods on a current less than the max.
>
> Any advice about the safety / stability of using something like this on
normal mains would be helpful.
>
> Thanks
> --
> 1978 Red 4 door Viva E from new
> 1971 Green 2 door Scabby wreck
> _________________________________________________________
> This email was sent from the vauxhall viva owners club forum
> Visit us at www.vauxhallviva.com
>



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