Cheap 50A Dedicated Circuit

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I remember reading posts overtime about people asking how to install or what they need for a dedicated circuit for their welders.  I used to always run an extension cord to the dryer outlet, but this was getting in the way of having to share my seat time with the dryer.I asked an electrician what he would charge and it was $85 per hour plus materials.  That was not acceptable so I went to Lowes with my welder manual, told the person what I was looking to do and I ended up getting two outlet boxes that mount directly on the wall.  One for the 220V and two additional 110V outlets and installed them next to my breaker panel in the garage so the wire run was direct to the brake panel.I got all the necessary wire, breakers, outlets for $40 and 3 hours of my time and now I have a dedicated 220V 50A circuit for my welder and 2 additional 110V outlets.  The job looks like a professional put it in.I would have posted some photos, but I lost the battery to my camera...Last edited by malich; 11-30-2007 at 10:03 AM.Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Well, a welder gets $80-85 an hour to bring a mobile truck to a job, set up, and weld. So why shouldn't an electrician??? He has had to gather tools, knowledge, parts, equipment, and he should be compensated for it, too.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:You just traded your labor for his, and your expertise for his...but still...now you know the trick...DIY projects always give me more satisfaction that just the money saved...well, at least when I get them done .  Lots of times I could have saved many of my hours by hiring someone to do it, but...I don't see DIY as ALWAYS a money-saving or time-saving venture.  Self-sufficiency has its own rewards.  Post pictures when the battery resurfaces.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Good for you for taking on the challange.  Although, anyone who is going behind the breaker cover in an electrical service panel NEEDS to know the dangers of what not to touch.  No matter what you do, there are live lines that will kill you.Now if you were in a sub-panel that could be shut off at the main while you worked it is pretty safe.  I ALWAYS use a wiggy or my meter to double-check all lines before assuming anything.  I discovered a "hot neutral" before that can be very deadly.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Hey Rojo,I never implied that an electrician should not get paid his rate.  I was trying to say that it was more than I was willing to spend for the job because I am a DIY and I have somewhat of an electrical background and felt comfortable going into the panel running the wires etc.I believe if you know how to or are comfortable trying to attempt something yourself, then go for it if you want to save the money.  I can now spend the money saved on a tank of gas or whatever I need for the TIG.I also wanted to let others know it is not that big of a deal to install an outlet as long as you feel comfortable working in the panel.I will try to find the battery this weekend and post some photos.Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:malich, Good deal, and you are right, it's not that hard.Disclaimer.... As stated know what you are doing or suffer the consequences..fire/death/both at once haha, blah, blah..How about some pics?
Reply:I agree Malich, I guess that is why I do so many different types of jobs in my remodels. I get sick of others doing it half-A$sed, so I wind up learning how to do it myself!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Good work, although household electrical work scares the poo out of me, I wire cars all the time, but when you get shocked wiring a car it just makes your hand feel funny, when you get zapped with 220 volt you don't feel anything anymore. The best solution IMHO is to make freinds with an electrition who needs a little welding work done and trade him a few hours of his work, for a few hours of yours, I manage to get a lot of stuff taken care of by trading a couple minutes of welding.
Reply:There was a story in the paper last week claiming that homeowner electrical work is now illegal in Ontario. A licensed electrician will be the only one who can legally do any type of electrical work. This was in the Globe and Mail Real Estate section last Friday.A man who can't weld is as poorly educated as a woman who can't sew
Reply:Originally Posted by woofThere was a story in the paper last week claiming that homeowner electrical work is now illegal in Ontario. A licensed electrician will be the only one who can legally do any type of electrical work. This was in the Globe and Mail Real Estate section last Friday.
Reply:I've done my share of electrical work.  Electricians are not necessarily overpaid.  While it may seem sometimes that they are not working too hard moving a bunch of wire around, most jobs involve at least 75% mechanical labor.  Pulling the wire and making the connection is only a small part of most jobs (depending on the pull)  You are really paying for their knowledge.  I was once told an "electrician" story that I often pass on to others who question why they charge so much.The electrical contractor who was instrumental in the design and installation of the first assembly line for Ford was called in for an emergency problem one day.  The assembly line was down and it was costing a lot of money, every minute and the maintenance crew couldn't figure it out.  He took a look at the blueprints and said it would be $2000 to fix it.  Although it seemed a bit high,they agreed to the price considering how much time and money was being lost in downtime.  He went to the control room and repaired a faulty connection and the assembly line was back up and running in minutes.When he gave them the invoice they complained that it shouldn't be so expensive because he took a few minutes to fix one wire.  He told them while that was true that it didn't involve much labor to fix one wire, it was for knowing WHICH wire to fix.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Great anecdote Rick, I haven't heard that one. It's one to remember for those "pesky" customers. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Do you have any pics form it?
Reply:Hey Josh,I am going to hunt down my camera battery in the next couple days and then I will post some pics...  Sorry so long...Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick Moran... I was once told an "electrician" story that I often pass on to others who question why they charge so much.The electrical contractor who was instrumental in the design and installation of the first assembly line for Ford was called in for an emergency problem one day.  The assembly line was down and it was costing a lot of money, every minute and the maintenance crew couldn't figure it out.  He took a look at the blueprints and said it would be $2000 to fix it.  Although it seemed a bit high,they agreed to the price considering how much time and money was being lost in downtime.  He went to the control room and repaired a faulty connection and the assembly line was back up and running in minutes.When he gave them the invoice they complained that it shouldn't be so expensive because he took a few minutes to fix one wire.  He told them while that was true that it didn't involve much labor to fix one wire, it was for knowing WHICH wire to fix.
Reply:How much wire did you buy? Because around here i can only find the 50a wire in min of 25'.
Reply:DenRep - I totally agree, Ford was just used in this parable. Insert any-businees and it still works.   I never said it was true. Last edited by Rick Moran; 12-06-2007 at 10:38 AM.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Originally Posted by Josh705How much wire did you buy? Because around here i can only find the 50a wire in min of 25'.
Reply:Ill check it out, I will go to both and see, the HD and Lowes are basically next to each other. because that stuff is expensive so I don't want to have to by 50' for a 1' job. If I cant I will take you up on the offer. Thanks for the help
Reply:I have bought wire by the foot a few times at Home Depot.  Only trouble is finding a worker there to cut it for you.   They don't want the customer to do it himself, but finding an available worker takes awhile, they always seem to be understaffed.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I never could find the battery so I ordered a new one and it just came in today.  Here are the photos of the two outlets I installed in my garage. Attached ImagesBuild a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Looks good Malich - great job!John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com