Using dryer outlet for welder??

[MarkG]

Have any of you guys run your welder from your dryer outlet to use the higher voltage? How does it work for you? I've heard of this being done, but never tried it.

Most of my welding is done on 110V which is fine for most of my work, but it would be nice to have 220. I can't really justify the cost of adding a big circuit in the garage right now, but would buy a heavy cord to run off the dryer outlet if it worked well, since it's not far from the garage. I realize it's not the ideal solutuion, but would only be done on rare occasions, most likely. Thanks.

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

I do all my welding from my 30amp dryer circuit, started at 120v off my regular garage outlet but never looked back after I tried running 220v. It's worth the annoyance of running an extension cord into the garage every time.

 

[Showkey]

Have any of you guys run your welder from your dryer outlet to use the higher voltage? How does it work for you? I've heard of this being done, but never tried it.

Most of my welding is done on 110V which is fine for most of my work, but it would be nice to have 220. I can't really justify the cost of adding a big circuit in the garage right now, but would buy a heavy cord to run off the dryer outlet if it worked well, since it's not far from the garage. I realize it's not the ideal solutuion, but would only be done on rare occasions, most likely. Thanks.

It’s done all the time …….for the the reason you mentioned.

 

[u2slow]

I tapped the dryer circuit for a while (i.e. two receptacles same circuit). Legal or not, fairly easy to coordinate laundry and welding chores so as not to trip the breaker.

 

[Ilikeike]

It wouldn't have issue doing it myself if needed,

but someone will be along soon to lol.

 

[PelicanPines]

It's nice you let your laundry share your welding outlet. Strange place to install a welding outlet... but hey... it's close to the dryer so there's that.

 

[Walkers]

Just man up and run your very own dedicated circuit. I have always just put a sub panel in the garage, then you can install multiple welder/compressor outlets, along with some 20amp 120volt outlets.

 

[PCustoms]

Did it when I had a rental.

Bought a 4 wire dryer lead and a welding outlet, made my adapter.

 

[MarkG]

Just man up and run your very own dedicated circuit. I have always just put a sub panel in the garage, then you can install multiple welder/compressor outlets, along with some 20amp 120volt outlets.

Maybe you missed this part of my post: "I can't really justify the cost of adding a big circuit in the garage right now". It's got nothing to do with being a man.

 

[Wrench97]

My old Lincoln Tombstone is still wired to a 30a dryer plug.

 

[Walkers]

Maybe you missed this part: "I can't really justify the cost of adding a big circuit in the garage right now"

A big SO cord and receptacles might be half the cost of running a dedicated outlet. Where is your electric meter box in relation to your garage? If it is actually on the garage wall it would be cheaper to run an outlet. Post some details and maybe we can find a better solution.

 

[u2slow]

I have a dual-voltage machine also (Millermatic 211). The manual lists a #14 cord up to 53' is acceptable for 240V. I changed the ends on a #12 ext cord I had to fit 240V ends.

 

[Jagmandave]

Yep, I'll bet most of them are done this way.......

I would like to run a subpanel to my shop too, but it's not feasible, plus I only have a 100A service - the box is full - I have no idea where I could satisfactorily pull power to run the sub. Really need to upgrade the panel to 200A but not this year.

 

[2oolhound]

I bought one of the dryer plug to 3 prong 220 adapters from a tool store and it's long enough (4') to run though the dryer vent to outside. From there I added a 25' extension ($45 cnd on sale). Now I have to go to the dryer vent (outside the house but it's in my built on garage) and manualy unplug the welder to plug in my compressor or milling machine when I want to use one of them instead but I don't find that too big an inconvienience. Works great.

 

[gearhead1]

I did it for years at my parents house, then when I left and rented. No issue for general homeowner type stuff. If you run a buzz box wide open at 225A (output), you could trip a 30A (input) breaker. Most of us aren’t welding with 225A at home.

 

[VR6ix]

I use my dryer outlet to TIG in the basement. Dryer cord adapter, Goggle and 10 minutes later I had power. Using a 50ft long 8/3 extension cord from Princess Auto, wayyyy too long for what I need but it was on sale at the time and so much cheaper than now. Max current draw on my 200-amp inverter machine is 35 amps... I haven't maxed it out yet

One time, I needed to weld in my garage, so I pulled the stove out and used that outlet. Pretty handy if you ask me!

 

[jsaw]

I did it for years at my parents house, then when I left and rented. No issue for general homeowner type stuff. If you run a buzz box wide open at 225A (output), you could trip a 30A (input) breaker. Most of us aren’t welding with 225A at home.

I did the same . my welder called for a 50 amp breaker, but as long as you didn't weld for too long or too high of an amperage you would not trip the 30 amp breaker

 

[blwn31]

I did it for 20 years at two different houses. When I moved into this house and built another 2 car garage onto my existing 3 car, I ran 220 to my air compressor, lathe, mill, and welders. Also, plumbed the shop for air. Now that it's done, don't know why I waited so long...

Keith

 

[MarkG]

I bought one of the dryer plug to 3 prong 220 adapters from a tool store and it's long enough (4') to run though the dryer vent to outside. From there I added a 25' extension ($45 cnd on sale). Now I have to go to the dryer vent (outside the house but it's in my built on garage) and manualy unplug the welder to plug in my compressor or milling machine when I want to use one of them instead but I don't find that too big an inconvienience. Works great.

Cool---I'm Googling them right now!

 

[Sumboodie]

Did it when I had a rental.

Bought a 4 wire dryer lead and a welding outlet, made my adapter.

Same, just the kitchen stove instead. It was gas but also wired for a 240v stove.

Common to do that here I guess. My house is the same, can use gas or electric for the stove and clothes dryer.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My old Lincoln Tombstone is still wired to a 30a dryer plug.

I would never cut off the molded on plug on any welder. I WOULD make my own adapter/extension cord. 30A is typically 10AWG, but it it is longer than about 10' I would consider 8AWG. SJOOW cordage is rated for 300V.

 

[MushCreek]

I removed the cord on my Lincoln 200 and replaced it with an RV extension cord (ebay), which was the cheapest way to get a long cord. In FL, I ran off of the dryer outlet. Now I have a for-real shop, but still use a dryer outlet for the welder so I don't have to change the plug. Never tripped a 30A breaker.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've moved this to the Electrical Section. These guys here will give good advice on the "How's" and "Why's" of doing this.

 

[andyvh1959]

I posted a thread a while back about using a 30 amp dryer outlet for my Millermatic35 MIG welder in my new garage. Got all sorts of replies, mostly being "use the right connection for a welder", because my question was really about how to properly connect the ground wire. A 220v 30A welder outlet does not have a ground connection.

The question really started, because when my dad brought home the MM35 from work (he worked at (Miller Electric) he also got a 25' heavy gauge length of cable to make an extension cord for the welder, to power it from a dryer outlet like mentioned above. So when I was planning the wiring in my new garage I assumed it proper to use a 30 amp dryer outlet for my new wiring. I did wire in the correct NEMA 30 outlet in my new shop, and I'll change the end on the extension cord to suit.

 

[Terry D]

I think you are confusing grounds and neutrals. A 240 volt welder does have a ground connection. The correct outlet would be a 6-30R for the welder ( 2 hots and a ground ). A 3-prong dryer outlet has (2) hots and a neutral ( 10-30R ), in the old days you were allowed to bond the neutral to the metal chassis of the dryer for protection. Now days a 4-prong is required (2) hots, neutral and ground ( 14-30R ). So if your question is if you could change the plug on the machine or make a adaptor and plug it into a 3-prong dryer outlet, would it work and be safe. The answer is yes Now would it be the correct way, the answer is no. You should match the receptacle in the wall to what ever factory plug came on the machine.

 

[nadogail]

For years I was sharing the dryer outlet with my table saw and it worked well; who wants to do laundry when there is sawdust to be made?

After moving I ran a dedicated 50 Amp welder circuit that also feeds the table saw and the space heater (through a sub panel). The heating requirements in my Coronado workshop are minimal.

 

[andyvh1959]

Yes, you are correct. I improperly referred to the neutral. I now have the correct receptacle to match the factory supplied power cord for the MM35 welder.

 

[MushCreek]

Do you suppose on forums with mostly women members they ask if anyone has run a dryer on a welder outlet?

 

[Wrench97]

I would never cut off the molded on plug on any welder. I WOULD make my own adapter/extension cord. 30A is typically 10AWG, but it it is longer than about 10' I would consider 8AWG. SJOOW cordage is rated for 300V.

The genius I bought it from for $75 in 1979 cut it off and wired it directly to a wall box, when I bought it he cut the wire off at the box, the welder itself was like new came with a helmet, pair of gloves, slag hammer and a box of 6013 with 5 rods used out of it that's probably all he ran while he had it...............................................