Portable stick welder options

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:05:43 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Portable stick welder options

HelloLong time looker, first time poster.  This is a nice forum & I've enjoyed reading all there is to offer around here.We are helical pile installers and weld on an almost daily basis.  We keep a Ranger 225 on our trailer and stick weld everything.  This set up works fine as long as we are not much farther than 110' from where we are working.  We also have a WeldPak 140HD but that requires a 30amp circuit & that is not normally available on most job sites.  Can't even run that off our our generators.  We prefer to weld SMAW over flux core.  What options are there for a stick machine that runs off of 220v 30A?  We typically weld SCH 40 pipe so around 120A is typically enough.  I've been looking at some inverter units but the ones I've been finding require 50 amp.  I'd like to be able to run it off of our 5000w Honda generator, but we also have 8500w unit we could use.   Our main goal is more portability.  Thanks for any input.  Our website is www.technometalpost.com if you want to see some of the material we work with.
Reply:Both the miller maxstar 150 I had, and the ESAB 161 that I currently own, will run off a 5000watt generator.Both run 1/8" 7018 very well on 230v.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I'll second the esab 161. I'm sure the maxstar150 will as well. I run my esab on 230 volt, often ignoring duty cycle and it does well. It's also a very reasonably priced machine. Over time I have upgraded the power cord and the welding leads. It will run 6010 but it runs 6011 and 7018 a lot nicer.
Reply:how about a bigger gennie?? Or longer leads for the Ranger?                               MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:X3 on the ESAB MiniArc 161LTS
Reply:I know Jim here has the Esab, but he helped his friend pick out something cheaper.. He is going to weld with it when it gets to him.. 200 amps, and a bit over $300.00 with shipping.. Amazon, and E-bay have them too.. That way you could try it, and send it back pretty easy.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1805_200631805http://www.amazon.com/Klutch-ST200i-.../dp/B00M976FCOEsab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I think the confusion may be over the plug configuration. Most 230v welders use a Nema 6-50 plug even if they draw less than 50 amps. However most small gennys won't take that plug. You'd need to change plugs or make up an adapter.I'd agree with others the Maxstar 150 or Essab 161 will do what you want. So will my Maxstar 200. To use my Maxstar 200 on 230v power off my small genny I had to make a 230v 20 amp  to Nema 6-50 adapter..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the replies.  I thought about changing the plug to a 30a but wasn't sure if that would work.I could get more leads for the Ranger, but that won't always solve the problem.  We have a job coming up where we are installing 100 piles for a wetlands boardwalk for a nature trail.  The Ranger just won't be practical for that.  I thought about an Outback 185 but those things are heavy as well to be moving up and down hills.  We used an Outback on a 200 pile boardwalk in Alaska last winter and that was rough to move by hand on a fairly level mile-long trail.  We'd rather have a separate welder/generator to make moving them around easier.
Reply:Yep, make a short plug adaptor to go from generator to welder plug and you're all set.Or pick up a nice 50' generator 230v cable, then replace the female end to match your welder.The little stick welders, miller and esab, are under 20 lbs - really portable Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:On the esab cord there is a twistlock end and then your 230 and 115 adapters hook to it. I ditched the esab cord a long time ago so I can't verify but if memory serves correct it is the 230 volt twistlock
Reply:What about a Zena Backpack Welder http://www.zena.net/htdocs/welders/BPW.shtmlNever used one but looks a perfect fit for your upcoming job.   If you do get one, please come back and post your experiences once you have used it....Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DOn the esab cord there is a twistlock end and then your 230 and 115 adapters hook to it. I ditched the esab cord a long time ago so I can't verify but if memory serves correct it is the 230 volt twistlock
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseMy ESAB 161 main power cord has a 230VAC plug that just plugs straight into the 230VAC receptacle...no twist lock.  If you want to use 115VAC, it plugs straight into the short adapter for 115VAC, which is also not a twist lock.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawWhat about a Zena Backpack Welder http://www.zena.net/htdocs/welders/BPW.shtml
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DThey must have changed the cord configuration. I have had mine quite a while. Mine had some type of twist plug that you then attached either the 115 plug or the 6-50r 230 volt plug. The supplied cord was insanely stiff, especially when cold. I replaced it with a sooj 10 gauge cord , 30' long. I then put a 6-50r plug on the cord. I had some 115 volt and 230 volt twistlock and range outlet adapters to match the 6-50r plug.
Reply:Which model Honda 5000watt genset do you have?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Esab 161 is nice but sch 40 pipe might be better off with maxstar 200 STR the plain jane one, 21a on 230v @200
Reply:It's a 15 year old EG5000.  Starts on the first pull even after sitting for weeks at a time.  It's a compact unit that is very dependable.  We'd build a zero-gravity type cart to mount it on that we could also set the welder on to move it around the job site.
Reply:Originally Posted by pat hEsab 161 is nice but sch 40 pipe might be better off with maxstar 200 STR the plain jane one, 21a on 230v @200
Reply:That generator is only rated at 4500 continuous so yer looking at about 18amps available @240v.It should run the Weldpak 140-- make sure you use the 30amp 120v receptacle and have the voltage selector switch to 120vEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Hello JJHess, even though you feel that you are limited with your machine choices due to your generator output, don't count out some of your other inverter choices. Even if you go with something in a slightly higher amperage output range you won't necessarily exceed the amp draw that your generator will provide due to not operating at the extreme end of the welding machine's output. Even if you had a Powcon 300 SS or some other similar machine, using it at the needed amps to weld with 1/8" E7018 would likely not draw enough amps to cause issues with your generator, as in needing it to be larger. Consider what a particular machine choice will draw amperage wise and let that at least guide you somewhat. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by JJHessWe would be welding 1 1/2, 2 & rarely 3" sch 40 pipe.  When we are on jobs where there is lots of 3" or larger pipe, we'd be using the Ranger anyway since those are usually larger residential or commercial projects.
Reply:I've been watching this thread for the last few days and I am wondering what is wrong with suggesting JJ get a small engine drive welder? Something like a Miller Blue-Star II. It's about the size & weight of most generators, has plenty of power to burn 1/8" rods, can power other electrical tools(grinders, saws and such), and there is no concern for having 240 V power available, no need for adapters or power cords or anything else. For portable stick welder options, to me the engine drive wins hands down. Keep the electric powered rigs for use in the shop and don't worry about lugging around a generator AND a welding machine. I'm surprised no one yet has mentioned this option to JJ. It makes perfect sense to me, as far as portability goes in a stick welder. JJ, if you need a portable stick welder, look at some of the small engine drives, like the Blue Star II, I think Lincoln has one similar to it.Build a little cart for it with big wheels, like 14'+ size wheel barrow or similar wheels and have plenty of portability. One guy can wheel it around most anywhere on the job site, even up and down stairs, if need be. don't have to worry about having electrical connections, just fuel.Last edited by Bistineau; 10-08-2015 at 10:09 PM.
Reply:Why dont you just get extension leads for the times you need more than 110' of lead  The OP already has an engine drive RANGER 225.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies!RE:  a smaller engine driven welder - my main reason for not going this route is price.  I have 2 generators available so I'd just have to spend about $600 on the welder instead of $1800+ on a welder/generator setup when I really already have the generator.  There are also some jobs where we are working inside a building & have access to electric so we can just use the customers electrons. The reason I want to use the Honda 5000 is weight.  I think it weighs about 175 lbs vs a Bulldog or similar at around 225.  I prefer stick over wire welding since we frequently weld galvanized pipe.  RE:  longer leads - some of the wetlands jobs we get on can be 1/2 mile or longer.  If we can only work from one end it can be 3 or 4 days until we get to the far end.  Moving the Ranger over that terrain really isn't practical.  Last Thursday we were in the middle of a job when a rain shower moved through.  It really sucks wrapping up leads that are coated in mud and would be much easier to just roll the generator onto the trailer and go.  When we are installing piles for residential deck projects, it can take less than an hour to install the piles, but almost the same time to get out the leads & extension cord and then wrap everything back up.  I'm still open for suggestions & have not ruled out a Blue Star or Bulldog.Originally Posted by JJHessHelloLong time looker, first time poster.  This is a nice forum & I've enjoyed reading all there is to offer around here.We are helical pile installers and weld on an almost daily basis.  We keep a Ranger 225 on our trailer and stick weld everything.  This set up works fine as long as we are not much farther than 110' from where we are working.  We also have a WeldPak 140HD but that requires a 30amp circuit & that is not normally available on most job sites.  Can't even run that off our our generators.  We prefer to weld SMAW over flux core.  What options are there for a stick machine that runs off of 220v 30A?  We typically weld SCH 40 pipe so around 120A is typically enough.  I've been looking at some inverter units but the ones I've been finding require 50 amp.  I'd like to be able to run it off of our 5000w Honda generator, but we also have 8500w unit we could use.   Our main goal is more portability.  Thanks for any input.  Our website is www.technometalpost.com if you want to see some of the material we work with.