John in Ca.

[tech511]

Hello stumbled across this site. It's a great site, as I said stumbled aross it as I was looking for info about running 30 amp circuit to the garage for my welder. This is one of those good, bad things, great to see and read about the different garages and and see them. The wife is going to have a fit when the changes from the ideals I'm getting. Worked in the automotive industry 26 years turning wrenches. Last 12 yrs at dodge, jeep, chrysler dealership, now working for hospital maintance, air handlers, pumps etc. alot easier on an old mans bones. Tinkering in the garage working on what I want, currently taking a shot at welding, looking into welding course at the local cc. Will get some pics on site in a bit. Nothing special just my slice of the world I rule over. The rest is hers.

 

[customh]

Welcome, enjoy as you amass more quality tools and organize stuff.

 

[Glenn M.]

Welcome to the GJ!

A 30 Amp circuit? You might want a 50 Amp circuit if you're going to do any heavy duty welding using a 225 Amp arc (Stick) welder...

 

[tech511]

yep, 30 amp leaving automotive trade snap on man offered good deal on a 110v mig tig as he was retiring, letting things go on the cheap for a change. It's been sitting so I decided to get busy with it. 20 amp circuit restricts output, not a big problem w the mig but it shows w the tig. If things go well I'll pick up a 220v miller or thermal arc stick tig unit.

 

[tech511]

Thank you for the welcome. Yes amass quality tools, need to work on the organize it's not ugly but could use some work.

 

[Zeke]

I weld all the time on a 30A 240v circuit well into the 100A range. Never popped it.

Some of those Snap On welders are nice even though they are hugely overpriced. If you got it for about 1/3rd of retail, you're safe on your investment. Before the multi process chinese welders hit the market (and have gotten way better), the Snap On was a cool tool.

BTW, welcome to the forums.

 

[Glenn M.]

I'm still using a 40 year old Lincoln 225 amp stick welder - one of those with the copper wound transformer, not the aluminum wound - and at around 125 amps, on some heavy duty runs, I was popping a 30 amp breaker... Of course, I was using a 15' extension cord, so that didn't help... Works fine on a 50 amp circuit... My mig is only 110 VAC so no problem there.
I didn't realize what welder you were going to be using, sorry...

 

[tech511]

Thanks for the input, just hearing what works for somebody else is good . Gives me ideals as to what I might want to do in my garage, that's why I'm here.