Hey all,New guy, so please be gentle with me.I'm getting close to 50 and do everything with wood because I've never learned to weld. But, I'm hell bent on getting ejumacated. My needs would be hobby and farm related. I'm in a unique situation having torn down some walls panels in a pole barn to get to a 100 amp electrical panel and extend some circuits.I can see lighter jobs of welding up to 1/4 inch steel and some aluminum in my future. I want to get the barn set-up, electrically, to satisfy my near and "before I kick the bucket" term projects. Any recommendations would be welcome (from box to receptacle).
Reply:Not sure what to tell you without knowing what equipment you will be powering.Most will have a 240v 50a circuit for a welding machine and several (at least a few) 120v 20a circuits for miscelaneous stuff (saws, grinders, etc).GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:If it involves aluminum you need BTUs. Electric welding converts watts to BTUs. I feel a rig that performs well consumes 10,000 watts, 12-20,000 with a transformer machine. Used transformer TIG machines are cheap. Used MIG machines with spool gun accessories are less common, and don't as easily do thin aluminum. I would figure on 12,000 watts at 240 volt or 50 amp. I'd need more information from you to give specifics. Set up this way, you'll be prepared for some variety of welders, go 90 amps, you're ready for anything. A Dialarc HF welds beer cans, or battleships and is as versatile as you could ask. They don't cost much, and are bulletproof. Used Syncrowaves are coming down in price now. Look for 250 Amps, and at least 60% duty cycle. More features = more money. How nice a machine will you learn into?
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BIf it involves aluminum you need BTUs. Electric welding converts watts to BTUs. I feel a rig that performs well consumes 10,000 watts, 12-20,000 with a transformer machine. Used transformer TIG machines are cheap. Used MIG machines with spool gun accessories are less common, and don't as easily do thin aluminum. I would figure on 12,000 watts at 240 volt or 50 amp. I'd need more information from you to give specifics. Set up this way, you'll be prepared for some variety of welders, go 90 amps, you're ready for anything. A Dialarc HF welds beer cans, or battleships and is as versatile as you could ask. They don't cost much, and are bulletproof. Used Syncrowaves are coming down in price now. Look for 250 Amps, and at least 60% duty cycle. More features = more money. How nice a machine will you learn into?
Reply:Originally Posted by GreenThank you. I've poked around at the Dialarc and some others, and it sounds like 240v/50a would serve the purpose for being prepared for the future. I'm sure I went through this when I originally built my barn 15 years ago because I do have circuit like that in-house (inside the shop wall). It's just that, after years of use, it turns out not to be in an optimal location in the shop for sparks. I've torn down the other side of the wall (inside the main barn) from the panel to extend some 20a circuits, and figured I should consider running another welder circuit.
Reply:When I had 50 Amp circuit run in my garage, like a dummy, I had plug installed on side wall instead of in middle of garage. Now, using my welder involves an extension cord, what a pain in the butt. BTW, welcome to the forum. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkQualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelNot sure what to tell you without knowing what equipment you will be powering.Most will have a 240v 50a circuit for a welding machine and several (at least a few) 120v 20a circuits for miscelaneous stuff (saws, grinders, etc).
Reply:I have a 100 Amp panel in the garage. 30 Amp breaker (240) for the air compressor and/or MIG, 50 Amp for intermediate welders and a 70 Amp for the Syncrowave. I put in the service because of rooms above that might need air conditioning/heat. Never finished the rooms but glad I did the sub panel. The panel is fed from one of the two 150 Amp panels from the main house - I have 300 Amp service, fortunately."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
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ersonally I wouldn't run wire through the wall for an air compressor without it being at least rated for 40 amps 240V. It seems like everyone I know ends up getting a 7.5HP compressor eventually. Dedicated 20A circuits are really handy when you don't know what you'll want to plug in as Gravel pointed out. As for the welder circuit I'd run wire rated for 70A, you can throw a 50A breaker if that's all the welder needs, but then you're not ripping out the wall to make things better. I HATE redoing things so anytime I'm pulling wires I overkill it. The breaker is often smaller, but if I want to improve things I just have to swap a breaker. All my 240V pulls in my current shop are 40A wire and 20-30A breakers depending on the tool connected. My compressor is on it's own circuit and has heavier wire running all the way back to the main panel and isn't tied to my sub-panel, but that's a whole other story, basically it was there when I bought the place.
Reply:Originally Posted by GreenHey all,New guy, so please be gentle with me.I'm getting close to 50 and do everything with wood because I've never learned to weld. But, I'm hell bent on getting ejumacated. My needs would be hobby and farm related. I'm in a unique situation having torn down some walls panels in a pole barn to get to a 100 amp electrical panel and extend some circuits.I can see lighter jobs of welding up to 1/4 inch steel and some aluminum in my future. I want to get the barn set-up, electrically, to satisfy my near and "before I kick the bucket" term projects. Any recommendations would be welcome (from box to receptacle).
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BIf it involves aluminum you need BTUs. Electric welding converts watts to BTUs. I feel a rig that performs well consumes 10,000 watts, 12-20,000 with a transformer machine. Used transformer TIG machines are cheap. Used MIG machines with spool gun accessories are less common, and don't as easily do thin aluminum. I would figure on 12,000 watts at 240 volt or 50 amp. I'd need more information from you to give specifics. Set up this way, you'll be prepared for some variety of welders, go 90 amps, you're ready for anything. A Dialarc HF welds beer cans, or battleships and is as versatile as you could ask. They don't cost much, and are bulletproof. Used Syncrowaves are coming down in price now. Look for 250 Amps, and at least 60% duty cycle. More features = more money. How nice a machine will you learn into?
Reply:Thanks all. I was out of town for a couple of days, and I'm taking it all in. I still have the wall panels down and plenty of slots in the electric box. I may run a few more dedicated circuits at varying amperage.
