Rated Output vs Welding Current Range? 120V MIG

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Hi. I'm just about to buy a small mig machine, mainly for body sheet metal, probably a Lincoln PowerMig 140CAll of Lincoln's literature says it mig welds (gas) 24ga up to 10 ga steel, and it requires a 120V 20A branch circuit.I downloaded the machine's owner's manual, and there was a footnote in the electrical installation section:   "#2 :Requirements for Maximum Output:in order to utilize the maximum output capability ofthe machine, a branch circuit capable of 25 amps at120 volts, 60 hertz is required."
Reply:In MY opinion, all 110 v migs will only put out about 100 amps.  If you have a good 25 amp circuit available, it will put out a little more than 100, but not 140 at welding voltage.You can't really weld stuff bigger than 10 gauge anyhow.  Its too small of a machine.It is made for sheet not plate.I have an SP100 and love it for its intended purpose.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Like David said, sheet, not plate. I have a Weldpac 100 and it's great on the thin stuff. Used it to restore a '72 Chevy pickupand it did a great job. The 20% duty cycle is a bummer though.
Reply:Most of those small migs run at signifigantly lower duty cycle if run on a circuit less than the max recomended amps. The poweroutput usually drops also.Looking at Lincolns manual for that machine yoyu get a 20% duty cycle at 90amps @ 19.5amp input. At max power I doubt you will be lucky enough to get 1-2 min of welding at the max amp settings before the machines power drops off even on a 25 amp circuit.But as everyone has said for sheetmetal they are great.
Reply:You should read down through this post. A lot of great info on 110 migs and field testing.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20883Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Although I like the fact that Davidr took time out to Field test the SP 100 the "test" is rather pointless as the machine can not weld 3/8" in either GMAW or FCAW.Why even attempt such a test as the manufacturers don't even claim their machines can do this?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:Originally Posted by ironmineDoes this mean ...... that if I use the welder on the 20A branch line, it will NOT weld that 10ga steel? I would have to have it on a 25A branch line?Or, does it mean, that if I want to try to weld (mig gas) thicker stuff than 10ga, I have to use a 25A branch line?Thanks in advance for any info.
Reply:Well Lincoln has always been hot and cold on their sizing recs for electrical but this a rare case where I can see where they are coming from. Remember now that it's probably only one out of 500 of these welders ever get plugged into a real dedicated circuit. A few might get plugged into a decent circuit. The bulk get plugged into whatever hole in the wall people find handiest. Folks know less about the electrical than they do about the shiny new red wire welder thingy they just bought at HD.Here's the picture I get and I'll bet it's not that far off; a guy buys this new wire welder box thing, plugs it into the end of 80 feet of looped and daisey chained 14 awg with 6 overhead lights, his shop tv and a fan running---------------------------------------------then calls lincoln or the dealer and complains because it doesn't perform as stated. Or more yet he adds 50 ft of 18 awg cord off the end of that and wonders why it won't blow holes in 1/4 inch like he expects it to. I believe the 25 amp circuit statement may be a CYA thing, plus it is a good recommendation if you're really serious about welding. If you ran a dedicated circuit it could then fall back on the appropriate NEC section for welders including the derating and the whole bit. But then we all know a conventional recepticle wouldn't stay dedicated for long, huh?