welder amps?

[Rhett]

Do pretty much all welders require 220 volt outlets?

I'm not talking some huge industrial welder but something a person might have in their shop, etc.

 

[Blee1099]

Do pretty much all welders require 220 volt outlets?

I'm not talking some huge industrial welder but something a person might have in their shop, etc.

Some run on 110/120.. Like the Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 100HD..

 

[Maniak]

Our miller 135 is a 110V wirefeed welder.

~Mark

 

[IZwack]

Yeah if you're going to just do body work (as this thread is under "Body Work & Detailing"), then a 110 v is perfect. I advise you go with a MIG and not a flux core because a flux core will burn through easier (runs hotter due to polarity -- electrode negative).

 

[Rhett]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Makes me feel better that I don't *need* 220 in my garage. My friend's welder requires 220! But I'm thinking about getting a welder of my own

I will probably get a MIG welder. I just need to find a good one, I know nothing about them...yet.

 

[merc187]

It would be nice to have a welder than ran on even 220. Mine runs off 3 phase 230/480 and now I have no where to use it.

 

[IZwack]

It would be nice to have a welder than ran on even 220. Mine runs off 3 phase 230/480 and now I have no where to use it.

x2 -- a flux-core 110v is a very versatile and probably perfect unit for the home garage because its lightweight and the lack of a gas bottle means you can carry and squeeze it into pretty much anywhere you want as long as you've got a good 110v extension cord.

 

[Rhett]

Yeah if you're going to just do body work (as this thread is under "Body Work & Detailing"), then a 110 v is perfect. I advise you go with a MIG and not a flux core because a flux core will burn through easier (runs hotter due to polarity -- electrode negative).

..

x2 -- a flux-core 110v is a very versatile and probably perfect unit for the home garage because its lightweight and the lack of a gas bottle means you can carry and squeeze it into pretty much anywhere you want as long as you've got a good 110v extension cord.

Earlier you recommended not to get flux-core ??

I was thinking of MIG...since I understand it leaves a cleaner weld and also is ideal for thin body panels, etc. Isn't this correct thinking?

 

[IZwack]

Earlier you recommended not to get flux-core ??

I was thinking of MIG...since I understand it leaves a cleaner weld and also is ideal for thin body panels, etc. Isn't this correct thinking?

Yes go with a MIG -- but for most off-roaders with a small budget who doesnt really deal with much body panels, a flux-core machine is the number 1 choice.

But in your case, a MIG is the only way to go -- it is very satisfying to be able to hold a bead on sheet metal accompanied by that distinct eggs-frying sound , instead of burning through with a flux-core setup.