new welder
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
220 service really does not require a neutral to operate, however a ground is needed in case of insulation failure or leakage to frame, some get around this by using double insulation methods, aka, non conductive housing. even so, double insulated tools are banned in certain industries.
since the two legs are out of phase, return currents are inter-twined.
to answer the ?, no!
the 110 is taped off the 220 connection and sent to the control board where it is converted to 12vdc to control things like relay,spool feed and gun trigger.
i would post the schematic but my junkified epson printer is clogged up again so i cannot make a post-able jpeg image from the pdf.
lincoln has great support but their lower end migs work when they work but have issues. just like hd, they engineer to operate at cheapest cost. you can rebuild the boards with higher capacity components. for what it does, should have lasted a life time, never more that a minute at a time if that as it only takes seconds to attach a bell crank to a shaft. small whip beats the huge spool gun for the miller, which i will use if i decide to make welded frames, cheaper and quicker but leaves the frame as not repairable like a fastened frame and i had one come through the shop that was used as a weapon in a bar fight, never say never, alcohol, men and women do not mix very well, i guess the guitar was better than a gun, gone the days of just duking it out!?!
since the two legs are out of phase, return currents are inter-twined.
to answer the ?, no!
the 110 is taped off the 220 connection and sent to the control board where it is converted to 12vdc to control things like relay,spool feed and gun trigger.
i would post the schematic but my junkified epson printer is clogged up again so i cannot make a post-able jpeg image from the pdf.
lincoln has great support but their lower end migs work when they work but have issues. just like hd, they engineer to operate at cheapest cost. you can rebuild the boards with higher capacity components. for what it does, should have lasted a life time, never more that a minute at a time if that as it only takes seconds to attach a bell crank to a shaft. small whip beats the huge spool gun for the miller, which i will use if i decide to make welded frames, cheaper and quicker but leaves the frame as not repairable like a fastened frame and i had one come through the shop that was used as a weapon in a bar fight, never say never, alcohol, men and women do not mix very well, i guess the guitar was better than a gun, gone the days of just duking it out!?!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 1,427
From: pensacola fl
Started as a diver and welded in the water. Obviously all stick welding, Miller and Lincoln dominated the scene.
When I moved I joined the pipe fitters local. Nukes, chip plants, coal burners, etc. 8 bank Millers dominated the scene. Nukes we usually had our own machine.
Best machine I ever used TIG welding was a Linde. It was in a fab shop at a plant.
2nd best, Hobart.
It has already been stated, buy what fits your needs and what allows you to grow. Stay away from the harbor freight junk.
When I moved I joined the pipe fitters local. Nukes, chip plants, coal burners, etc. 8 bank Millers dominated the scene. Nukes we usually had our own machine.
Best machine I ever used TIG welding was a Linde. It was in a fab shop at a plant.
2nd best, Hobart.
It has already been stated, buy what fits your needs and what allows you to grow. Stay away from the harbor freight junk.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 1,003
yep, hobart is a really good machine. my first gasoline dc machine, 225 amp and twin cyl winconsin vertical, had it for decades, it even went under water with a flood and survived with just a fresh water rinse. i sold it to my brother in law and it still works @ 50 years old. i have a ac/dc hobart cracker box that works well. i got the miller trailblazer as it will do it all. the onan is a thirsty little bugger so i converted so i can run natural gas when around. it sports a 8k generator for when lights are out but i use my generator so it is a backup.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
If you're doing stuff with an aesthetic appeal you might wanna tiptoe in TIG welding. Harbor Freight sells their new Vulcan line and make a small TIG that's 110V. That Vulcan line has been getting very good reviews as of lately. I have a Thermal Arc Dragster 85A TIG for over a decade now and it's perfect for smaller projects with no more than an 1/8" metal capacity. I've used it on thicker but just do more passes.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 38
From: Calgary Alberta
I have a Miller 250 mig in my garage. I dont have 220v in the garage but I bought 25 of heavy gage wire and run it from our attached garage and plug in into the clothes dryer plug. For me that worked perfect.
do you have a dryer plug close enough for that to be an option?
D.
do you have a dryer plug close enough for that to be an option?
D.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 1,003
you must have a heck of a dryer. most dryers are rated at 30 amps and the miller should be around 50 amps. ever trip the breaker???
that requires a size-able wire and do not forget voltage drop although 25 feet is not that long. remember, over loaded electrical wiring causes many house fires.
be careful bro, protect the crib and those in it.
that requires a size-able wire and do not forget voltage drop although 25 feet is not that long. remember, over loaded electrical wiring causes many house fires.
be careful bro, protect the crib and those in it.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 38
From: Calgary Alberta
What the welder is going to pull is relative to how high the machine is set, I use small diameter wire and have never tripped the breaker and it always short little beads. I worked for CP-Rail for 36 years as a welder and we welded big thick stuff and everything ran off off hmm I want to say 550v not sure on that part,I bought a couple of the machines when i retired 7 years ago and they have jumpers that you would connect to drop them down to
220v they work fine but they did run smoother and sounded better at a higher voltage..
D.
220v they work fine but they did run smoother and sounded better at a higher voltage..
D.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 1,003
SAFETY FIRST
doodoo happens. i hate to see anyone hurt
that is a given but every code book i know is against such.
that is the reason you are supposed to under drive the breaker by 20%. it protects the wire, NOT the attached equipment
doodoo happens. i hate to see anyone hurt
that is a given but every code book i know is against such.
that is the reason you are supposed to under drive the breaker by 20%. it protects the wire, NOT the attached equipment
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
While it's nice to have a load that is less than 80% of the breaker, the wire should be sized 20% above the breaker to prevent overheating. Depending on setting a load below 80% is not a good idea.