Extending leads

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I have a small arc welder, 50amp and that leads for the torch and ground are kind of short, do you think it would be ok to lengthen them? Just by 2' or so. I would use some battery cable that looks to be the same gauge or slightly bigger.
Reply:Sure, use the slightly bigger.  Instead of 2 feet, go for 5 or 10.  Only do it once. Does it say on the panel "3/32 rod welds up to 1/16"?David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:What would be the best way to connect the new to the old? And I cant see from the pic but I will take a look at it.
Reply:I would go to lowes or HD and get a couple ot copper lugs in the electrical department. Then get a good roll of electrical tape $3 a roll good and wrap the lugs with 5 or 6 layers and replace the tape compleatly when it gets thin or rubed through. I had a friend get shocked in high school shop class because the lead had a cut in it. He was using an AC machine welding a bumper. He almost did not make it off the bumper. The teacher killed the welder. Spliding is safe just do it right. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Originally Posted by offrdfun73I would go to lowes or HD and get a couple ot copper lugs in the electrical department. Then get a good roll of electrical tape $3 a roll good and wrap the lugs with 5 or 6 layers and replace the tape compleatly when it gets thin or rubed through. I had a friend get shocked in high school shop class because the lead had a cut in it. He was using an AC machine welding a bumper. He almost did not make it off the bumper. The teacher killed the welder. Spliding is safe just do it right.
Reply:Josh - save your money and get a Century, Lincoln or other buzz box. I find these all the time and I'm still looking out for you. I had one listed on my site but it looks like the posting expired. It was a Century AC/DC 220 unit, great shape - $100. http://microzone.us/weldingforum/ind...sg866.html#newJohn -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Found another one tonight for you Josh - http://microzone.us/weldingforum/ind...pic,135.0.htmlJohn -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Shrink tubing is ok but I would still back it up with good tape. Your little welder wont do a whol lot so dont get your hopes up to high but it should be fun to play with and learn the basics. It should do things like weld a lawn mower deck or handle things like that. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:I would just buy a set of Tweco connectors and use those, make the new cables about 10' long each and put the stinger and ground clamp on the new cables.  That way, the 10' stinger and work leads can be used on any machine with Tweco connectors, or hooked up to any other set of extension leads with Twecos.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Josh, I have a 220 Cambell Hausfield AC buzzbox that you can have if you want to take a ride.  Im in north Jersey.  PM me for details if your interested.  Its better than messing around with that old machine.
Reply:A tip on splicing leads. After you wrap the splice with electrical tape, wrap three or four layers of friction tape over that. Friction tape lasts a lot longer dragging it around than electical tape does. When it gets frazzled out just peel it off and retape. The electrical tape will still be good.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hugh JarseJosh, I have a 220 Cambell Hausfield AC buzzbox that you can have if you want to take a ride.  Im in north Jersey.  PM me for details if your interested.  Its better than messing around with that old machine.
Reply:I guess an hour and a half is too far to drive for a free (barely used) welder.
Reply:Wow brings back memories (sort of) my dad had one of those buzz boxes when I was growing up, never could get a decent weld out of it. -Dan