new subpanel - no main breaker on primary panel?

[zacwashington]

I am looking at wiring a subpanel (240v 60A) into my attached garage. I have 100A service into my basement and no existing subpanels of any kind. There is a single outlet 240v 20A line to the garage that I will be removing. (recently bought house, previous owner did sloppy install job, and I want 60A).

Want to run off the subpanel:
Air compressor 120v @ 14A
Electric Heater 5000W 220v @ 20-30A
MIG/FCAW Welder 220v @ 30-40A

Lights and outlets are run on line from main panel and will stay that way. Compressor / Welder wont run at the same time. Welder / Heater may at times run together on RARE occasion (but intend to have door open for vent anyway so heater likely wont run while welding).

Intent is to use NM-B 6/3 copper with ground, run is 55 feet all indoor partially finished basement w/ drop ceiling. Home was built in 1966 no firewall exists between garage/house. Garage is drywalled, panel will be mounted on plywood.

question is:
All I see are the fuses in the main breaker box...is there no main breaker switch to disconnect power from the main box so I can install breakers and remove the old lines to the existing 220v garage?

How do I disconnect power to the main so I can work on it?

Is there a disconnect inside the meter box outside? (that I know is technically power company / electrician access only)

Does anyone see any potential issues with the plan that I am overlooking? (I will run plan past local inspector prior to any install)

Im a little weary of pulling out the fuse holder (I have no experience with these older fuse style boxes and have heard proper PPE is required due to potential arc flash & shock hazard).











http://imgur.com/PPgTkUA
http://imgur.com/oJZlXdN
http://imgur.com/vUpYJl2
http://imgur.com/NHeh9PC
http://imgur.com/LQtK6Hb

 

[Zeke]

You shouldn't have any trouble with the fuse if there's no load on it. I don't think you'd pull the plug on your house with all the TV's and computers on as well as several other appliances. You won't find a breaker in the meter panel. The meter is the disconnect there.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

That big pullout at the top IS your main. Kill the various devices in the house and pull it. The remainder of the panel will be dead, except for the incoming from the meter, stay away from them!!!

Charles

 

[zacwashington]

Will do, no load - pull out Thanks guys

 

[Norcal]

That panel is a Wadsworth & they are out of biz, so have fun finding breakers.

Obsolete breakers are costly & in some cases only avail. used, more popular models have UL "classified" Chinese knockoffs replacing the OEM breakers, like ITE Pushmatic, Zinsco/Sylvania, & Federal Pacific.

 

[6768rogues]

Just my opinion, but I would change that panel for a new one. On the subject of obsolete breakers, at the school where I worked I had our mechanics keep the old Bulldog Pushmatic breakers when we swapped out panels, because replacements for remaining panels were hard to find.

 

[sberry]

Could use the range breaker for this?