leads for stick welder - make my own?

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Miller Dialarc, with 25 foot leads.  These leads are inconveniently long for much of what I do.  I would like to have a pair of 10-12 footers, with a standard stinger clamp and a standard ground clamp.  The plugin ends are a straight piece of copper rod.  I would keep the present set of 25 footers for when I need to go long.Do used sets of leads of this type come on the market?  If so, how do I chase them down?As an alternative, I am thinking of making my own set, buying the length of cable (#4 maybe), two plugin ends, the stinger end and the ground clamp.  Where should I look to buy these items if I do make my own leads?
Reply:Your local welding supply will have everything.
Reply:You can get some Tweco connectors and cut your current leads and install them. They have one male and one female end per set, and twist together to connect. Just take 15' of your lead out of the middle and you have two 10' leads that you can put the 15' pieces back in as needed. You can also leave your 10' ground lead on, and add the two 15' pieces to the stinger end to reach out 40'. Then later if you need to add more reach, just buy additional lead and more of the same Tweco connectors. You will need 4 of them now to do what I originally mentioned, but that is all you need to get right now to make this work. You won't need to buy additional leads or other plug ends to shorten your leads.
Reply:^^^ What Bistineau said ^^^GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:^^^^ Same as before mentioned^^^^ one tip maybe from an old pipeline welder I learned, the last 5-6 feet have the thinnest gage cable you dare go on your stinger just to shave any weight you can... that is my plan when I change cables. My machine came with 30' 4/0 whips, nice for current and distance, but gets heavy after awhile..TOOLS AND TOYSSMAW Mid States Inc. "MISSING LINK" 10-150 AMP Buzzer circa 1945ishSMAW Magic Wand 40-60 AMP Suitcase Buzzer circa 1939ishGMAW Hobart 210 IronmanOxy-Propane TorchMany other old and cold goodies"Rusty but Trusty"
Reply:Originally Posted by MISSING LINK^^^^ Same as before mentioned^^^^ one tip maybe from an old pipeline welder I learned, the last 5-6 feet have the thinnest gage cable you dare go on your stinger just to shave any weight you can... that is my plan when I change cables. My machine came with 30' 4/0 whips, nice for current and distance, but gets heavy after awhile..
Reply:Leads too long??? You can always hang some up, but if you need a little more........ Man, and I just bought 100'er's of 2/0. And, gonna order 100'er's of 1/0."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Well my machine came from a old farmer up north here. It is only 150 amp machine full copper wound asbestos wrapped it's a beast,,,, but i am willing to bet the cables "found" their way from the tool crib at the iron mine to the guys truck. For now i will use them up till the coating falls off (half there now). Then will recable with a light cable at the stinger.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manLeads too long??? You can always hang some up, but if you need a little more........ Man, and I just bought 100'er's of 2/0. And, gonna order 100'er's of 1/0.