Drop cord or dedicated Line Cheapest fix

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Hi i have a Lincoln power MIG 180c and it runs off a 208-230 volt 20 amp outlet and i have moved and want to know what would be my cheapest bet on getting power out to my building 100' away from my breaker panel at the house and if its possible to make a drop cord/ run a line underground to the building and what size/wire i would have to use to get what i need out there. I really don't want to drop a line to the building if its possible but all the people I talk to have told me there is a drop in volts/amps or whatever the longer you have to go from the panel. I'm at the point of selling it and down grading to a lower voltage machine.Any help would be appreciated greatly. I really love this welder
Reply:With the price of wire these days, I'd consider a small generator.  You could use it for portable power elsewhere as well.  IDK where you live, but theres a glut of used ones here in the northeast after Sandy.  Everyone ran out to buy one, most people a day or two before their power was restored.  There's lines at HomeDepot of people trying to return theirs, and rightfully, the stores are refusing refunds.  You can get a barely used 5000-7500 watt genny around here in the $400 range.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I recently ran an 80 ft line using #6 UF wire. I had about 25 ft. left over only because I didn't want to come up short and also wanted the option of moving things around in my garage down the road. The whole project wire, breakers, box.....etc. cost me around $400. I bought all my stuff at Lowes. I am sure some shopping cost save a few bucks!!!
Reply:Dedicated line.Not the cheapest, but with wiring like that do it the right way.  'Jus my 2¢ worth.
Reply:Don't put in too big of a service.  I put a 100A panel in the garage addition.  Shortly thereafter, large heavy boxes began sprouting from the walls.  And a big cylindrical thing that makes a lot of noise."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
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255With the price of wire these days, I'd consider a small generator.  You could use it for portable power elsewhere as well.  IDK where you live, but theres a glut of used ones here in the northeast after Sandy.  Everyone ran out to buy one, most people a day or two before their power was restored.  There's lines at HomeDepot of people trying to return theirs, and rightfully, the stores are refusing refunds.  You can get a barely used 5000-7500 watt genny around here in the $400 range.
Reply:Twdshop87, i had to do the same thing i have a 16x20 shed behind my house it's about 100ft. from my 200amp panel i needed 240 out there because thats were i have my Bridgeport at , what i did was had my brother who installs sprinkler systems vibrate me some of that 1in or 1 1/4 gray glue together conduit underground you can buy that stuff at lowes or HD and its cheap they have sweeping 90deg. ends to come up out of the ground and fittings that are made to mount into  the side of a building and are weather tight  and the stuff looks good and is easy to work with I'll bet if you  bought  all the fittings and sticks of conduit you wouldn't have $50.00  in it . now for the bad news lol! i had my electrician buddy come over and he pulled 3 wires through and wired it into the panel and he suggested i put a panel  with a few breakers in the shed good idea ! after he was done he put his volt meter on the main breaker and i had 242 volts  can't ask for more than that . i know you are going to ask what size wire he used and i can't tell you that because i don't remember . i would get a hold of an electrician and there is a math formula to figure voltage drop do that before you buy your conduit i think it was about $ 400.00 for the whole deal if i remember correctly it's the way to go you'll be glad you did . the generator deal you will be disappointed with remember what gas cost if you wire it  that's forever trouble free . good luck let us know what you decide . chris
Reply:One problem with a generator is that you have to listen to the d*mn thing!!