DC arc welding 1/4" mild steel

admin

Im wanting to get a AC/DC stick welder. I have an old AC Forney C5 that Ive been practicing on and would like to get a DC machine capable of welding 1/4" mild steel. How much amperage do I need to weld 1/4" mild steel with DC. Thanks for the info.
Reply:Bookmark this site. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/calculators/Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:The average hobby welder can pretty much do everything they need with 1/8" rods or smaller for the most part. 1/8" 7018 you are looking at any where from 100 amps up thru 150 roughly. So a machine that gives you between 150-180 amps DC would cover your bases.1/4" I'd either run 3/32" or 1/8" depending on skill level and joint type. A newer welder, I'd probably suggest 3/32" as it lets them run a bit slower and have a bit more control. For someone with  more experience 1/8" would work fine also. Mayufol, Miller has a student pack that has a lot of good information in it on all processes. I'd highly recommend it for any new welder. You can buy it from Miller, but most of the information is also available for free download from their site. There have also been tons of threads here on rod suggestions for new welders, amps settings and suggestions on how to learn and improve. Sit back and do some searching and reading and you will find a ton of info here..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:I was in the same boat: I had an AC tombstone but wanted the DC side.  After reading I discovered that a moderate TIG welder had both plus the holy grail (for me) TIG.I got a used syncrowave 250 for $1000.Honestly I use the DC stick still because it makes me happy.  I have done about 2" of actual TIG welding and the rest of it is so ugly even my wife says yuck.I'll be able to practice as I have time.Hope you find a deal out there on CL or Kijiji.Miller Syncrowave 180SDLincoln WeldPak 100 with gasHandheld Milwaukee BandsawO/A Cutting Torch
Reply:1 amp for every .001" of 7018 rod diameter is a good rule of thumb. So for 1/8"(0.125") rod use about 125 amps. For 6010 I'd use about 2/3 of the rod diameter in thousandths. It may take multiple passes for 1/4" steel if you're doing full penetration welds.
Reply:Chances are you won't be able to come up with a transformer welder that will suit your needs on the DC side, unless you go to the big Lincloln Idealarc.  Or maybe one of the mondo expensive inverter welders out there.But, by using 7018AC the smaller Lincoln/Miller transformer machines will do the job.  7018AC performs well in the 5/32 diameter in the 175amp AC range.  And these machines do a very good job out of position when using 3/32 DC rod.  You can do out of position with 1/8 rod on these machines also, as long as the amps are low.  1/8 will do well uphill or vertical at the 110-125amp DC range.  Just remember, the duty cycle is lower on the smaller machines, but that's really never a problem in most applications."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Look into Thermal Arc inverter units as well.  They are quality units that can be had new or used on the cheap.  The 161S is up for auction with a starting bid of $399 with free shipping.  I've watched it expire with no bids at that price.  I have one and it burns rods great.  It weighs 19# and is dual voltage, so you can take it anywhere if you need too.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by EzalycasaidIm wanting to get a AC/DC stick welder. I have an old AC Forney C5 that Ive been practicing on and would like to get a DC machine capable of welding 1/4" mild steel. How much amperage do I need to weld 1/4" mild steel with DC. Thanks for the info.
Reply:I would attempt to purchase a 200 amp machine. You can always turn a machine down .... You can't always turn it up...... You may be wide open now and due to cable length, rod size, moisture, ambient temperature, etc....... There could be a need for "just a little more"......Thanks,HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Thanks for the info guys, I ended up buying a hobart Ironman 230 Mig. Lol works GREAT! Much easier to weld with then Stick... Wasnt cheap though after everything.
Reply:Originally Posted by EzalycasaidIm wanting to get a AC/DC stick welder. I have an old AC Forney C5 that Ive been practicing on and would like to get a DC machine capable of welding 1/4" mild steel. How much amperage do I need to weld 1/4" mild steel with DC. Thanks for the info.