Lincoln Squarewave 275 opportunity

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A good buddy of mine has fallen on hard times and is liquidating some assets.One of these assets is a very nice condition Lincoln Squarewave 275 TIG welder.I'm thinking about making him a generous offer for it even though it is way more welder than I would ever need, or even want.But looking at the specs, I'm wondering if it might even be even dangerous for my home shop application. I don't even know how to weld yet!If I'm interpreting the specs correctly, it looks as though it can draw as much as 120amps on a 240V circuit. My concern is I only have a 50A circuit! I realize I could keep it turned down, but.....As cool as this welder is, I don't want to risk making a "smoking sink hole" out of my new garage shop. I'm sure the insurance company would take a dim view of such equipment!Should I pass on this item?
Reply:Your breaker will trip if you draw too much power - so no smoking sink hole But, you're going to want to install heavier wire and breaker so you can run that welder at a decent amperage.Don't worry about the cost - it's just how it works with welding - heavy on the wallet Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I run my Syncrwave 250 on a 60 amp circuit and have never tripped the breaker.......mine is a home shop so useage is limited but I have run it pretty hard a couple of times.I would make him the offer an if he accepts you will have a nice machine you will never grow out of and if you have the available power run a 100 amp circuit and you'll have that much more capability.
Reply:Originally Posted by jmarkwolfIf I'm interpreting the specs correctly, it looks as though it can draw as much as 120amps on a 240V circuit. My concern is I only have a 50A circuit! I realize I could keep it turned down, but.....As cool as this welder is, I don't want to risk making a "smoking sink hole" out of my new garage shop. I'm sure the insurance company would take a dim view of such equipment!Should I pass on this item?
Reply:Just guessing, but I'd bet you could use that thing at 180amps for a while before you trip a 50amp breaker.   How often do you need more amperage than that?
Reply:I've got a 25ft run of 6-2 Romex with ground between the panel and the outlet, which I beleive is good for 55A, so I think by code I could use a 60A breaker (next standard size up). I'll have to look into that.
Reply:Originally Posted by AdvanJust guessing, but I'd bet you could use that thing at 180amps for a while before you trip a 50amp breaker.   How often do you need more amperage than that?
Reply:Update:I was mistaken. It is not a Square wave 275, but a Square wave 175. So it is more compatible with my available power. Negotiating price now.I'm still surprised at the inefficiency and how much input power is required according to the specs. Spec sheet recommends 125A breaker and 65A input For AC TIG Welding at 150 A/25% Duty Cycle, Based on the 1996 U.S. National Electrical Code.Common opinion is that this welder tops out at less than 1/4" aluminum. Might never need this, just educating myself on the details.Unless I'm misinterpreting the specs, the MillerMatic 211 and Ironman 230, which are the welders I have been considering, claim to be able to weld 3/8" and 1/2" thick aluminum on 25A and 32.5A respectively on 240V input.Last edited by jmarkwolf; 03-21-2015 at 05:47 PM.
Reply:The square wave 175 will run on a 50amp breaker, and you'll max out the welders duty cycle, long before you'll blow the breaker, at max welding output.And your not able to weld 1/4" alum, for all practical purposes.The machine is great welder, in its range.They are worth about $1,000-$1,200 max with their basic accessories.Trust me, I've owned two of them.There's a lot of difference between transformer tigs and migs....Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I wouldn't spend more than $600 on a pt175The newer welders have a lot more features are more portable , for only a couple hundred more and you don't have to spend hundreds on electrical rewire good luck.
Reply:I'd spend the $600 you wouldn't spend on a Lincoln 175 tig.  Love mine.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup