New baby mig (birthday present) - just plug and go?

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I was visiting my parents this past week and it just so happened to be my birthday.  I got a great steak dinner and a Lincoln WeldPak that dad had been holding on to.  We're sitting at the table and he tosses the owner's manual across, "Here - Happy Birthday".   (My dad's not the softest guy but it's his way of saying he cares) I know it's not going to handle big jobs (I've got a ac225) but it'll be perfect for the sheet metal I was going to use for some decoration projects around the yard.  My other plan before this was some smaller diameter rods and some luck The way my garage is setup it only has 2 outlets (one on the front wall, the other on the ceiling).  Can I use the regular ol' orange extension cord to plug it in?Alright, I appreciate the input.  I mainly wanted to share the news, I'm thrilled at Dad's gift Edit:Hah!  Read the manual Monica!  Ok, this is just a show 'n tell thread now Extension Cord:Up to 25' - #14 AWG or largerUp to 50' - #12 AWG or largerLast edited by Monica; 08-08-2010 at 01:19 PM.Reason: Answered my own question
Reply:Yes you can use the regular ol' Orange extension cord.You'll want to get a Bottle of shielding gas for the Sheet metal work.The 120v machines are relatively plug and play. The one thing you may run in to is that the receptacle is usually sharing the same circuit breaker as other receptacles and firing up the Little lincoln may trip the breaker.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:Thanks!  I'll keep that in mind about the circuit breaker.
Reply:Use a heavy gauge extension cord.  The skinny ones can cause more circuit resistance and trip the breaker sooner.  For the longer term, If you have access to the fuse panel nearby, add in a 20 amp breaker and new circuit to a new 20 amp outlet for the welder.  It's not too expensive if you have an open spot in the box.  Any local licensed electrician can do the job easily and properly.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks DR
Reply:Happy belated Birthday and congrats on the gift!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:the 20 amp beraker, big wire and short extension cord will make an improvement in penetration
Reply:Thanks duane!  I'm finally able to buy a beer  
Reply:Happy Brithday Monica!Also, I think there are/were a few Lincoln WeldPak variants that use 240V.  So just check the manual before plugging the machine in.If the machine actually is a 120V machine, yes you can use an extension cord.  Read the manual, there is usually a section in there that lists recommendations/requirements for extension cords.  The 120V Lincoln machines typically really do need a dedicated (or nothing else at ALL being used at the time) circuit, and a 15 amp circuit is usually marginal for operation except for very thin sheet metal welding.  A dedicated 20 amp 120V circuit is usually called for.  And as short and as 'fat' an extension cord as you can use.  The manual lists info regarding extension cords.  That's one of the pretty nice things about the Lincoln (and Miller) manuals, they usually list what the machine needs to run electricity-wise.A 25 ft 12AWG extension cord is usually no problem for the 120V Lincoln machines.  A 50 ft 12 AWG extension may be OK.  A nice thick 10 AWG extension cord up to 100 ft usually makes it so that the extension cord is not an issue at all.Using a small diameter (bigger AWG number) extension cord is a problem for machines that use a lot of amps because the cord heats up  (neighbor turned an extension cord into a flame-producing device by leaving it coiled up while using an electric weed-wacker    ) and because the cord has some electrical resistance (which is what is causing it to heat up) which also drops the voltage lower than what it was at the electrical outlet.  So there may have been 120V at the outlet, but when the skinny cord is trying to flow a lot of amps through it, the actual voltage at the machine is down to maybe 110V.So, read the manual and use the shortest thickest extension cord you can.  Bigger (diameter) is better in this case.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:I'm going to go pick up a new extension cord in a little bit.  I just looked at the orange extension cord and it's a 30' 16AWG - no go.  As dry and hot as it is here I'd rather not light the yard on fire.  I'm going to plug in to the lone outlet/breaker installed outside the panel that the previous owner had put in for the now extinct water fountain.