Yet another extension cord question.

admin

I'm looking into an extension cord to run a welder in the basement of my rental house.  I'll probably be hooking up a medium size stick welder like a Lincoln Buzzbox or Hobart Stickmate.Looking at the breaker box, the dryer is hooked up to a 20 amp breaker (2 switches labeled 20) and the range is hooked up to a 40 amp breaker (2 switches labeled 40).  I'm guessing the range outlet is the one that is appropriate to use in this case.  The wiring of the extension cord has been covered in like 20 other threads here, so I think I have that covered.  However, is there any way that I can get around having to pull the range out and unplugging it every time I want to weld?  It's inconvenient, but if there's no safe way to do it otherwise, I guess that's what I'll do.
Reply:If you have space in the breaker box, you can add 50 amp breaker and run it to a 6-50 outlet in a j-box next to the breaker box, then run your extension cord from there to the machine.  This won't cost too much to have an electrician come out and do, with approval from your landlord, of course.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks, but permanent rewiring really isn't on the table.  I don't plan on living here for more than another year or so.  I guess I can live with an inconvenient workaround for a little while.
Reply:DR pretty much covered the best solution I can think of. I'm not sure I would want to stick weld in my basement with all the smoke it usually produces unless I've got a really good vent fan to exhaust the fumes. Especially if you don't have the whole house and someone else rents part of it. That distinct odor of stick rods may be a bit tough to get rid of from carpets and so on, not to mention isues with smoke alarms and such.All the welding I used to do when I rented was done either in a detached garage or in the drive. I used to either plug into a dryer outlet or unplug the range like you are thinking about..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:Don't stick weld in the basement, or run flux core either. You and your family up stairs won't like it.Tough as nails and damn near as smart