Upgraded to a bigger machine- need help!

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I upgraded to an old master craft 220volt stick single phase 230 amp Welder from my 75 amp.I don't plan on welding over 1/8" so I want to use my existing 30 amp dryer outlet. The cord is quite long and will reach just fineThe dryer is 4 prong the welder is 3. I keep reading contradicting info online saying I need a phase converter or I have to change the receptacle to a 3 prong. Can I not just cut the end off the welder plug and put a 4 prong end on it?This is a rental house so I don't want to play with anything on the breaker panel.Thanks!
Reply:I can post pics of the inside of the machine if needed. There is a green/black that grounds to the welder body, a white and a black that go to the on/off switch.
Reply:I'd just make a short adapter to convert from 4 prong to 3 prong.Both plugs have 2 hots and a ground. However because the dryer has 110v items in the system, newer electrical codes require that the plug also has a neutral wire, thus the 4th prong. You could chop off the old plug and replace it, but then if you ever wanted to run it off a 50 amp line, you'd have to do it all over again. On 30 amps, you may find that your welder will trip the breaker when used over say 100 amps. That means you will most likely be limited to 3/32" electrodes. That will still give you plenty of power for many projects..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:Instead of cutting the plug you could make a short cord with end to fit the dryer plug and welder then you won't have to change anything. A phase converter changes single phase to three phase.
Reply:Originally Posted by Weld oneInstead of cutting the plug you could make a short cord with end to fit the dryer plug and welder then you won't have to change anything. A phase converter changes single phase to three phase.
Reply:I am no expert but isn't the 4 prong a 3 phase?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I think the 4th post is a "ground to earth" safety thing.
Reply:No as mentioned above the 4th prong is the neutral, not a ground.As far as 3 phase, there might be 4 prong 3 phase plugs out there. Most 3 phase stuff I've seen is direct wired. The plugs are very expensive. The few I have seen don't look anything like a standard plug.Newer 30 and 50 amp plugs/outlets for dryers and ranges are now all 4 prong per NEC. A few years back they decided that small 110v appliances attached to washers and ranges needed a separate neutral vs using the ground to carry power. Small clocks, timers and so on were all 110v even though the unit got 230v power from the 3 prong connection. Now they want a dedicated neutral run with the hots and grounds for this..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:Theres a thread on this here:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...r-dryer-outletAny Rona/Lowes/Home Hardware/Home Depot will have the parts.