General question about ground clamps

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Would it be better to have a more ampere ground clamp than what is needed?I have a 200 amp ground clamp on a 90 amp welder,would it be better to have a 400 amp ground clamp?Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:I really dont know the answer but Im going to take a guess.  Remember its just a guess.  When the clamps are rated, I beleive they are rated to the amount of amps that they are supposed to be able to constantly handle before they start to melt, self distruct from the heat, etc.  This is why higher rated clamps are supposedly beefier with more or better materials than clamps with lower ratings.  The 200amp clamp I would say would be adequate in your case.  The 400amp I would say would be way overkill.  I dont think it would help the machine perform any better.  Now if the machine was capable of 200amps, then I would say, go with the 400amp clamp.  Hope this helped.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:I think you have enough as long as your are getting a good ground. Some of the machines are coming with  cheap grounds. I went to a tweco brass ground got rid of the steel one. I have a millermatic 210 and have a 300 amp ground.
Reply:Thanks for the replies,I was just wondering myself if it would be better to have a way over kill ground clamp and if you did would it help your welder be able to reach optimum output,just a thought.Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:90 amp welder with a 200 amp rated clamp should be just fine.If the 200 amp rated clamp is crap, then just replace it with a decent 200 amp rated clamp.A 400 amp rated clamp is probably waaaay overkill for a little 90amp welder.  Nothing wrong with using a 400 amp clamp with the little machine if you want to and you can make the wiring connection.  Except that it is probably bigger and heavier and more expensive than a comparable 200 amp clamp.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:I found that cable size and the wire hole in the clamp must be compatible,ie if the clamp hole is too big the wire will heat and burn off.In the spring I had 2 bucket wear strip jobs,,burnt off many ground clamps on 2\0 cable,went back to smaller clamp,burnt off less.also have a set of 4/0 cables,they do not burn off larger clampsbecause cable hole is full,this job was mostly 1/2" arcair and 1/4-3/16 7018.clamps work better on rated cable size.Went through a lot of clamps,hope this helps./
Reply:Just feel your ground clamp when you have been welding for a while.  It shoudln't be getting hot.  If it is, clean the contact surface, the cable connection and check the spring tension.  If all these are good and it is getting warm I would go with a larger one."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:You may consider changing to the next larger size cable when you change the clamp.   Most of the smaller machines come with some pretty wimpy and cheap cables, as well as clamps.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:What DR said! The clamp is just an interface between the wire and the work. Go thicker cable from the machine, or at least clean all the connections and make them tight. I just changed my work clamp on the XMT tonight, because the first clamp just aggravated me,  but the wire is 2/0 and will in no way limit welding power! I put on a proper steel clamp!  Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I don't mind those big heavy clamps like the one in the lower part of the pic, with super stiff springs, in a shop where the clamp mostly just stays connected to the table.  However, on the truck, I prefer the Lenco style clamp with a weaker spring, as it is easier to grip, move and re-clamp it with one hand many times without getting a sore hand.  Another clamp I have that I really like is the Stronghand Ground Hog.  It's a vice-grip type clamp and works great, but is not as easy to operate as a regular stamped sheet metal Lenco style.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I just put one like the bottom one in tanglediver post on my lincoln ac 225 tombstone,haven't used it enough though to see if I like it or if it is any better than the one that was on it.One thing I do know is it has a super stiff spring on it.It's one I got at tractor supply,had hobart on package but china cast into the clamp.Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:Harbor Freight has a brass 400 amp ground clamp for about 5 bucks. It is the exact same ground clamp that is sold at Tractor Supply for almost $20.From Weldingtipsandtricks this idea. Take some welding cable and strip it taking the insulation off. Then put it in a vice and twist it tight around a small pipe so that there is a small circle at the end. Tape the loose ends together.I like it because it gives you the best possible ground. Going with a better ground can solve a lot of mig welding problems. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by StevefromOhioFrom Weldingtipsandtricks this idea. Take some welding cable and strip it taking the insulation off. Then put it in a vice and twist it tight around a small pipe so that there is a small circle at the end. Tape the loose ends together.I like it because it gives you the best possible ground. Going with a better ground can solve a lot of mig welding problems.