Update on Shop

admin

This is a note and a follow up on my "Shop in Progress" and "Help on Wiring" post that I earlier made. I purchased the right receptacle, just the wrong wire, anyway with replies I was able to understand what to do. My breaker box was "full" and to compensate for that I was going to have to get some of the double circuit same breaker and do some re-arrangeing to have all the receptacles that I wanted. Well, after much debate with myself, I just went and bought a larger panel and was able to add or update dedicated circuits: 1 50 amp / 220 for my Thuderbolt, a 30 amp / 220 for mig welder, a 20 amp / 220 for air compresser, 15 amp / 110 for accessories.  These are right below my main breaker and easily accessed where I will mainly be working. In the area where my mig and plasma machine will be I have a dedicated 30 amp / 220, 20 amp / 220 , and 6 15 amp / 110 outlets so I don't have to run alot of extension cords. Yesterday I finished doing some painting before getting the area all cluttered up. I purchased material, 2x1 sq tubing, 1x1 sq tubing, and recieved the hangers and rollers for sliding door that I am making. Still lots to do. Will take some pics of the new panel and wiring and shop area. Just a note so that you know I am still out here scratching my head and saying "didn't think about that" when I am right in the middle of a project. I do apprc. all the replies to my questions, really enjoy this site. jt
Reply:Sounds great.  Having dedicated circuits sure is nice.   I would change out some of those 15A 110v breakers for 20A breakers though so your bigger draw 110v tools don't blow the 15A breakers.   My chop saws and 110v portable air compressors love to blow 15A breakers if there is anything else going on the same circuit.   The plasma cutter and 2 of the mig welders I have that will run on 110v also blow 15A breakers if I turn them up on 110.  I would also put in a 70 amp 220v breaker if you have space for it so you can run some of the bigger draw 220v stuff, like tig welders over 200 amps.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op