Extension cord for 115V

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I have a Hobart Handler 140 115V Welder.  There is no way for me to get around using an extension cord to use this unit.  I have read some on the subject and have found it has been advised not to use an extension cord.  But being that it is the only way...what should I use...any advice?  As of now I am planning on going to Lowes and getting a heavy duty 15-25 foot extension cord.
Reply:By the way I will be starting out using flux core .030 wire and practicing on a piece of 16 guage sheet metal.
Reply:I just went over this for myself.  Go ahead and check the specs in the owners manual to be certain for your particular welder.  But for mine it specified a minimum of #14awg under 25' length; or #12awg or larger up to 50' length.  If you had to go longer than 50', get the #10awg.  I planned to get my ext cord from Lowes as well.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Error on the safe side and get a 50 foot number 10.If you only need a 25 footer you could go with number 12.I would go with 10 wire for either.John
Reply:Thanks for the responses.  Hoping to get one tomorrow.
Reply:I agree with the recommendation to go with 50 feet of 10 ga 3-conductor cord.  Home Depot and Lowes both sell SOOJ or SOOW outdoor cord by the foot in 6 through 12 gauge sizes.  Buy however many feet you need, a 5-15R and 5-15P cord end receptacle and plug and you're good to go.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:One key thing to remember beyond the extension cord is the outlet you plan to use. Those machines only produce thier max rated power when plugged into a dedicated 20 amp outlet. That means no other items running on that circuit. If you can't do this, then expect that you will trip the breaker, and that you may not beable to weld to it's maximum capasity..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 have a 10/3 cord I use for my small mig welder and one thing you want to check is the wiring coming to your out let. Some places only use a 12 guage wire and if you are arn't care ful you will melt your outlet. Don't ask me how I know.
Reply:When you have a welder on one side and a extension cord in the middle and the outlet on the other side, the length of the cord and the wire size determines the resistance in the wire.Eventually the wire or outlet will not carry the load.  When that happens, the wire is merely one big long toaster element.  They both work on the same principal.Your household electricity is 120 VAC and not 115 VACAbout 30 years ago, after the energy crisis, the government and the power suppliers got the bright idea that if they cut back the power 5 or 10 volts - that your equipment would still run and you would not notice the difference, as long as it was single phase 60 cycles.The government and the power suppliers came to find out that as the current was raised, less current was being used, so they went back to 120 VAC.Now speaking from experience, I bought a old house a couple of years ago and spent 6 months wiring it.  Most household outlets ARE NOT 20 AMPS!20 amp outlets cost more money and are harder to wire.  If you cannot stick a 12 AWG wire through the little holes in the back of the outlet - then it is only a 15 amp outlet and not a 20.You can buy outlets at Lowes - 15 amp for about $.35 each!20 AMP outlets might cost $3 each.Which do you think a new home builder is going to buy when he needs 100 outlets for a house?If you are going to weld.  Go out and buy some 12 gauge 3 conductor wire, some staples, a box, a outlet and a cover plate and wire a dedicated circuit from the electrical load center to where ever you are going to set up your welding table.If you want the welder to work correctly - you will not use a extension cord.  If it is a stick welder - you get longer leads.  If it is Mig - then you ought to limit the length of the cord - as short as possible - such as 12'A 12' extension cord, along with 8 feet of hose will still get you 16 feet to play around with when you need to weld something.  Anything more then that - you need to get a generator or a different welder.  http://www.elec-toolbox.com/calculators/voltdrop.htmIf you have 120 VAC at the panel and you put 50' of wire, then a outlet, then another 50' of extension cord, buy the time the electric gets to the welder, there will only be 112 VAC at the welder.  That changes all the settings on the welder and limits you even further as to what you can weld with that welder when the welder does not produce enough heat to melt anything beyond the range of thin sheet metal.Adding outlets on the same branch circuit only reduces the amount of power available.Eventually the load will be too great and it will trip the breaker or burn the house down.http://www.electrician2.com/calculat..._1_reverse.htm
Reply:If you want the welder to work correctly - you will not use a extension cord.  If it is a stick welder - you get longer leads.  If it is Mig - then you ought to limit the length of the cord - as short as possible - such as 12'A 12' extension cord, along with 8 feet of hose will still get you 16 feet to play around with when you need to weld something.  Anything more then that - you need to get a generator or a different welder.
Reply:I just got finished wiring my shop, and made sure to include two outlets for my Lincoln 140a MIG.  Both are dedicated circuits on 30a breakers, using 10/2 wire.  That way, I know I am getting enough power to the outlet.  I did the same for my two 240v plugs, running 6/3 wire off dedicated 50a circuits.I have a couple of heavy gauge extension cords, but I positioned my plugs (hopefully) where I won't need them.  Nevertheless, I have 2x 30' cords of 8/3 wire for my 240v machines, and around 40' of 10/3 for my 120v MIG.
Reply:12/3 Cord is plenty o' cordCrank up the little 120v machines and the duty cycle goes to sheeite- 100' of 12/3  running the Passport on 120vRan my Lincoln 135 on 50' of 12/3 cord all the time.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:If you want the welder to work correctly - you will not use a extension cord. If it is a stick welder - you get longer leads. If it is Mig - then you ought to limit the length of the cord - as short as possible - such as 12'