Miller 250 for home use - electrical power hookup?

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I am a hobbyist in to drag racing (cars and bikes). I've owned a number of vehicles over the years, and have been lucky enough to have access to a patient TIG welder.I have become quite good at making the pieces, now I'd like to try learning to MIG and/or TIG weld myself.I have two main needs, one is welding body panels (welding seams, patch repair, etc.), the other is welding together 1.625 and 1.750 MS tubing (.134), with some thicknesses in between (for tabs, brackets, braces, etc.).First question, would a Miller 250 Syncrowave (standard model, no cooler, etc.) be overkill for the above scenario?Second, to power the welder I would have to have a suitable power hookup added to my home garage/workshop, are there any issues here a novice like me may not realize?For example, insurance issues, would I affect the neighbours when I use the welder (dim their lights, affect their TVs and Radios, etc.), the type of power outlet I would need to have installed, etc.Regards to all from the Toronto area in Ontario, Canada.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by DavidSimFirst question, would a Miller 250 Syncrowave (standard model, no cooler, etc.) be overkill for the above scenario?
Reply:200 amps is PLENTY for a 150 amp air cooled torch.  You can always upgrade to water cooled later like I did.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Let us know more about what power you have available and where you need to get it to.
Reply:For the panels a small mig would be Ideal but then to the tubing there is no question about Tig. So if you go with a tig you will get real good on long welds for the panels. Practice makes perfect. And the machine capacity, go big or upgrade later if you find yourself new needs. To your electrical, it's simple. 50-75 bucks for recepticle, box, breaker and conduit, Wire lengths and gages vary. But Look at some reference material and you will Understand the wiring. Black and Red are hot 120 each or 240 for both. White is Neutral, and Bare copper or green is Ground. On the Breaker box the Ground and Neutral are often the same. Well good luck.Billy
Reply:Thanks so much everyone for your advice, I appreciate it.Regards, be happy.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by Maddirtbkr50-75 bucks
Reply:Reply based on the Price of copper. I was Assuming the Circuit Breaker is in the Garage.Billy
Reply:I believe the syncro 250 needs a 100 amp circuit. Got a storm going on right now so I am not gonna go out and look at mine to see.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Oh, and it shouldn't affect the neighbors at all if properly installed. You have to be pretty close proximity for the hf to interfere. I used to use an older Miller HF tig with my radio sitting on top of it. Never had any problems at all.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:While a water cooled torch isn't always required I'd never consider it overkill.
Reply:I would think a little Miller Maxstar 150 inverter tig welder would weld that not-so-thick metal and run just fine on a 20 amp breaker.   Something to think about.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiWhile a water cooled torch isn't always required I'd never consider it overkill.
Reply:I agree, water cooled torch is definitely the cat's meow .MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:You really need the water cooling for the torch otherwise your glove will get very hot fast and your tungstens will not last as long.As far as hooking up the welder you can use a 50 amp breaker but a 60-70 amp breaker is recommended. The advantage of the 50 amp breaker is that plugs are less expensive and you can unplug the machine to move around for cleaning. The 60-70 amp service would only be needed if you were maxing out he welder all the time.But the tubing you  say you would be working with would not be a problem.also a WP-20 Weldcraft, torch which is the best size for what you are doingis rated for 140 amps. If you set the dial at 140 on the machine and you press the foot pedal down it would be drawing about 35 amps for the first few seconds but you won't be using that much power.I used a Miller synchrowave most of my welding career. I welded 6 hours out of an 8 hour day for almost 15 years.About the neighbors.When you use your 220v washing machine or dryer it will not dim the neighbors lights. the main issue to be concerned with with the neighbors is the flash of the welding arc at night. Black out the windows in the work area at night.One other thing ...the high frequency can affect things up to 60 feet away.Just follow the directions in your welding machine manual.In my experience the high frequency did not bothe computers where i worked and i was only 20 feet away. and one wall away.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 02-28-2008 at 10:34 AM.