weilding machine

[reppy007]

Yesterday, I noticed a guy doing some work on a wrought iron fence,doing some weilding,meant to talk with the guy but didnt until today,cause i need a small job done with some metal lawn chairs.Anyway there are many types of these machines,and I knew they pulled lots of amps,but they actually pull more than I thought,400 amps a/c is common.D/C they can pull way more.Just something to chat about,any weilders here?

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmmmm Reppy think about it......... Most welding machines only have either a 30 amp or 50 amp plug........ aint no way they are drawing 400 amps. I bleve thats the DC current.

[reppy007]

Ummmmmmmmm Reppy think about it......... Most welding machines only have either a 30 amp or 50 amp plug........ aint no way they are drawing 400 amps. I bleve thats the DC current.

uhh da hmmmehh maybe I looked at the info rong:o

[T-Man]

All they are, are Transformers, they take 240 volt secondary from a wall socket and heat up coils that you can pick the lenght of, to create a higher or lower amperage current. You can get 400 amps of current from the welder to the work but a normal house is only built for 200 amps. It's the relationship between the two windings. Just like the overhead transformers, the primary is a low amperage and the secondary is higher according to the KVA of the tub.
25KVA pulls 104 per leg
50KVA pulls 208 per leg
100KVA pulls 416 per leg

On the welder you pick the tap to do the same. The amperage you choose depends on the material you need to weld, You have to melt the stock you are welding and you have to fill the gap between the two molten surfaces with the proper weight rod to join the pieces together. Light stock is the hardest to weld because you can evaporate it before you get it to melt together.

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmmmmm I dunno if he wuz blowin smoke up my azz or what but I once hadda old foreman tell me he kinda borrowed an old transformer and hooked the high side to 240 and used it to weld with. Wudda been low voltage/ high current AC voltage comin off the secondary windings.

[reppy007]

Ummmmmmmmmm I dunno if he wuz blowin smoke up my azz or what but I once hadda old foreman tell me he kinda borrowed an old transformer and hooked the high side to 240 and used it to weld with. Wudda been low voltage/ high current AC voltage comin off the secondary windings.

I dont know if he was blowing smoke,but it is a good story:D

[BigClive]

uhh da hmmmehh maybe I looked at the info rong:o

Honestly Reppy, and you a lineman working with transformers as well... :rolleyes:

I was going to reply yesterday, but thought I'd spare your modesty. :D

Typical home welders have a rating between about 50 to 200 Amps at low voltage.

[reppy007]

Honestly Reppy, and you a lineman working with transformers as well... :rolleyes:

I was going to reply yesterday, but thought I'd spare your modesty. :D

Typical home welders have a rating between about 50 to 200 Amps at low voltage.

Thanks for giving me a day.:D

[STLmo1986]

Are those lawnchairs ya need fixed aluminum or steel? Thin wall tube im guessing? Find somebody who tig welds, i think thatd be your best bet for that and it has the nicest finished appearence too