Buzzbox and 30amp breaker?

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A friend of mine wants me to weld casters to his BBQ pit.  I'd rather drag the buzzbox to his house it would be a lot easier than dragging his grill to mine.  However all he has is a standard 30 amp drier plug.  Can these old transistor based buzzboxes be used on 30 amp circuits?  If so any idea how many amps output I should expect before popping the breaker?  I really need to buy a Maxstar 150 but funds are not allowing it.  It would make these type projects a lot easier to do.Miller Maxstar 200 strMontgomery Ward 250 AC/DC
Reply:A load (your welder) only draws as many amps as it needs. The machine may be rated for a 50 amp circuit, but that doesn't meant it uses it all. If you are burning an 1/8" rod, you should be fine on 30 amps.P.S. My shop only has 40 amps in it and I can run a Lincoln Idealarc burning 1/8" 7018 all day long AND still have the lights on while someone uses a power tool in the background Edit: one of these days for kicks and giggles, I'm going to stick on a clamp on ammeter on the welding machine while a buddy is welding to see what the current draw is.Last edited by moya034; 04-17-2013 at 01:20 AM.Lincoln Idealarc 250Lincoln Weldanpower CC/CV engine driveLincoln LN-25 wire feederMiller Syncrowave 180 SDVarious oxy-fuel setups featuring Victor, Harris, and Prest-o-lite products
Reply:It will not work.Tried a buzzbox on 30 amps with 1/8" 7018 at 105 amps.  Blew the breaker after 1/2" of bead, every time.  You need a 50 amp on that machine.Forget the maxstar, buy a TA161S.  For around $450 on eBay, you get a dual voltage machine that includes lift arc tig and can burn 1/8" 7018 on 110v.  Solid manufacturer and warranty.  Resale value not as great, but priced right.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:It's been done by many people for years.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Tried a buzzbox on 30 amps with 1/8" 7018 at 105 amps.
Reply:I run a dialarc 250 off a dryer outlet.  The breaker will pop sometimes when the machine is first turned on, but once it's running i have no problems.  If the breaker throws when i turn it on , I just turn off the Lights and reset and it will start right up . Once it's on I can leave it on and use other tools and turn the lights on. Idk how many amps it draws but I'm pretty sure i read somewhere it's supposed to be 60 amp breaker.  But running 7018 I did the fried egg trick and ran several rods at 130 dc amps and the breaker didnt pop.  So I think u might be jUst fine.My given welding web rank "Solderer" Couldn't be more trueClarke Hotshot-Spoolgun flux/mig 135SG1986 Miller Dialarc 250 AC/DC
Reply:Hey, no sweat trying.let us know.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Can these old transistor based buzzboxes be used on 30 amp circuits?
Reply:Originally Posted by davido30093Just to avoid confusion, I think you meant "transformer based" NOT "transistor based",I agree with DSW, stay with 3/32 rods and you should be OK.
Reply:If you have 208 it maybe a problem, 240 and you should be fine with the 3/32 7018 and 1/8 6011.
Reply:First off OP states he is welding casters on a BBQ Pit. I doubt he is going much over 100 amps and why would he use 1/8" rod? As far as a "Buzz Box" on a Drier Outlet, it will work 75% of the time. Look at it this way, if it don't then he can say he tried. All that nay-say probably never tried.
Reply:You should be able to use your buz box as long as you don't go over 120 or 130 amps and you don't use 1/8 7018 rod. 7018 rod takes much more current to burn than 7014,6013, or 6011. I don't see why you have to use 7018 on a project like that.I have 100 amp circuits in my shop but at one time I had one 30 amp and I didn't have any problems as long as I didn't use 7018 rod.Good luck !
Reply:Remember 7014 has iron powder in the flux - my charts list it as same amp range as 7018.I say it a lot, but I like 7014.  Runs nice and needs no oven. Dave J.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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveRemember 7014 has iron powder in the flux - my charts list it as same amp range as 7018.I say it a lot, but I like 7014.  Runs nice and needs no oven. Dave J.