welding amps

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Hi i am new to this site aand i am looking to get a welder for my shed. My confusion is over what i can use i have a double 40 amp breaker in the house that runs my mini panel out n the shed, on this panel is a double 30amp breaker which i plan on using for a welder, what can or cannot buy for a welder like a stick or mig that will run good with out popping breakers, i want to be able to weld up to 1/4 inch thick if possible????
Reply:Most migs except the biggest older transformer ones will run on 30 amps of 220v single phase.   Most inverter stick welders will run on same.   The transformer sticks may have trouble on same.Migs that will work fine on your power and weld what you want to weld ---Miller migs-  Millermatic 35, 150, 175, 180, 185, 200, 210, 211, Passport, Passport Plus, 212.Hobart migs-  all the Handler equivalents to the above miller machines.HTP migs-  the full 220v product line and the dual voltage 160 as well.Lincoln migs- all the 220v single phase migs 175 to 200-ishMost of the bigger migs in the 250 to 300 class you can run on a 30 amp breaker, but not at full output.Stick machines --Miller - Maxstar 150 & 200, Dynasty 200.   The CST 280 and XMT 304 will run at part power on a 30 amp breaker and have enough output to weld what you want to weld.Most of the transformer stick welders need to be on a 50 amp breaker to use them for most of their operating range.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:DesertRider33 covered it pretty well. If you are on a tight budget, I'd look at a used Lincoln tombstone or a miller (thunderbolt) or Hobart equivalent. As said you won't get max output from them, but many projects have been done with these machines on 30 amp breakers. I forget what I could run mine on when I was in an apartment and only had a 30 amp dryer outlet to use. These machines are often dirt cheap on CL and there's not much that goes wrong with them. They either weld or they don't. You do have some limitations with thin materials as the stick machines like this are primarily for heavier steel.If you've got the cash, I'd vote for any of the 220v migs suggested above. My MM 185 will run maxed on 30 amps no problem. Right now I'd be split between the MM211 with the ability to run on both 110v or 220v or a larger mig like the MM 252 myself, if I had to replace my current machine. I see uses for both. For a new guy I'd probably lean towards the MM211 as you don't need the extra power of the MM252 like I might on occasion...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:Thanks for the input i was kind of leaning towards the lincoln mig pak 180 it says it can weld up to 5/16 but i was talking to lincoln and they said that it can weld up to 1/4 but not to be used on any load bearing or crietical areas???????????????
Reply:You'll have to do groove prep and/or multiple passes to weld thick butt joints.   You will find that fillets on thick plate will be too cold with an undersized machine.   Also, very thick plate should be welded with spray transfer rather than short circuit transfer if you're going to mig it.   180 class machines are not really capable of spray transfer.  You need a 250 class machine to effectively use spray arc transfer mig.   Spray is much hotter and deeper penetrating than short circuit.  Short circuit is limited to about 1/4" for anything of structural importance.One thing you can do is buy a mig that you like and can afford and will use for the majority of your projects and then find a used stick welder, like a Thunderolt XL or ac/dc Tombstone, to use for the heavier stuff where you will do multiple passes with the rods untill the joint is full.Last edited by DesertRider33; 08-30-2009 at 05:08 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op