Buying welder with tax return, where exactly do I plug it in?

[blkfirsprk]

I've been a Tig welder for the better part of a year now. I'm going to use my tax return this year to buy my own machine. The only problem is I don't know much about electricity and I have never actually had to set up any of the machines I use.
Anyways I plan on getting an inverter in the $1,000 to $1,500 range and all I have at my house is regular old wall sockets, like you would plug a tv into. The cheapest generator/TIG combo I've seen is nearly $3,000. Would be nice to have the generator in winter but I'm not made of money.
As far as figuring out what I need to get this thing wired up to my house I don't even know where to start.
Can someone help me out, keeping in mind that my funds aren't unlimited.

[blkfirsprk]

Oh yeah, I forgot about my dryer plug It's a three prong if that helps.

[Ultrachop]

If you have your Dryer in a garage, the three prong (probably 30amp) will work fine. Sounds like you should get with someone that knows AC electricity, as it can kill you real quick if you touch it wrong (hot)

Many Tig inverter machines will run (reduced output) on 110vac (household current) and or 220vac 1phase (both of which you have in a typical house service panel.

Most likely you can add a 220 circuit to your panel and an additional recepticle in the Garage/shop to run your new welder.

Good luck,

Tim

[weldbead]

i have a TA185. i ran a 220v 50 amp circuit which is overkill. cost of new breaker in my panel, wire (60lf #6-2) female receptacle less than $200.

[blkfirsprk]

Alright sounds like this won't be too much of a problem. I'm just trying to be careful because I have heard stories about people getting great deals on old welders then getting home with them and finding out the power company wants thousands of dollars to hook them up with the right kind of power before they can use them.

Maybe a stupid question but I've seen plenty of cluster%$@&'s happen because stupid question weren't asked beforehand.

[Ultrachop]

blkfirsprk,

You are good to ask, "the only dumb question is the one that wasn't asked". If you do a google search on 220 volt AC wiring, basic house wiring, etc. you will likely find all you need. There are just a couple basic guidlines when working with Electricity that you need to follow, not doing so can get you dead or seriously hurt. If after reading up on it and you are still uncomfortable you should ask around and I am sure you can find someone to help out (no need to hire the electric utility company) and you only need a Licensed electrician if you are adding to your panel. (code requirement)

Hapy New year,
Tim

[MAC702]

Never underestimate the value of a real electrician.

You can either add a new receptacle from your panel, or make an adapting extension cord from your dryer receptacle. Two hots and a ground. The dryer receptacle is actually two hots and a neutral, but you can use its neutral as a ground. If you use the dryer also, you should give extra thought to just wiring up the correct NEMA 6-50R receptacle, typical for welders, though an inverter can usually use a smaller one.

[Magnetic Mechanic]

Did you check to make sure that it is single phase. A three phase welder will not work in your home.

[wesdavidson]

Last year we purchased a couple of Miller Dynasty DX 200's, a bit pricey, but proves the point of operation on 20 amp 125v outlets. state of the art light aluminum and steel tig welder. Good light stick machine as well. Works well on 120v, 208v, 220v, 240v, anything you feed it. (There is less paperwork for us to get an education discount from miller, (and a lower bid price) so we passed on the equally good lincoln products this time.)
We have the small ($200) 130 amp DC only ( no aluminum) inverter tig from harbor freight, we have used it for 2 years. works on 240v, no pedal, not as controlable as would be nice, but would do for a dune buggy type fab project. Takes some getting used to. We got it to use with a 5kw generator, works for remote locations, but the dynasty is nicer.
If the older machines have an AC welding range generally they have single phase input, and will run off of a 50-60 amp outlet, at least at the lower output levels. Cyber tigs, gold stars, syncrowaves, ideal-arcs, linde 300's etc. are good machines, big heavy, good machines. If they are DC output only, they need 3 phase (lots of money) to operate without internally disconnecting one of the transformer windings. -problematic at best. A local college has sold off about 20 of these, from 250 to 800 amp output, the last few years for about 10% of new prices.
Of the new machines, the miller Dynasty 200SD would be solid gold. However, the new model they came out with last fall - The Diversion 160 looks quite good, listed for 220 volt only, but about 1/3 the power draw and weight of the Econotig. Will weld thin aluminum with AC and steel etc, with DC. No pedal but has an amp control on the torch, NICE.
If you need DC only, the Maxstar 150 is a big hit with local shops for stainless work, will run on 120v 20 amps or 220v, very light and portable, DURABLE!!!! with good stick power as well . The maxstar 200 a little bigger and is good on 120v as well.
Lincoln has the Invertec line, look like good machines. Haven't tried the inverters, We have several of the older lincoln tigs, migs and feeders, that I use on a daily basis We like them.
With any of these and a 5kw generator you would be fully mobile.
There are lots of imports on ebay etc, some have high dead on delivery rates reported.
I usually recomend buying Lincoln or Miller machines. Especially for folks new to welding, better durability, duty cycle, resale, better arcs, better support. A beginner does not need a faulty machine to screw up his work.
If I had my way I would start out folks on tig every time, then move them to wire, stick, and oxyfuel.
Good luck

[wesdavidson]

BEST IDEA - find an electrician that needs welding done, trade welding for wiring!
Here are some more ideas, - I'm not doing the work, if you burn something down, it is YOUR OWN FAULT
The inverters that run on 120v will plug into any normal 120 outlet with a 20 amp breaker, use slow blow fuses if you have fuses instead. 12 or 14 ga extension cords will work.
Usually stoves are 40 or 50 amps, dryers are 30 or 40 amps, the inverter type machines will run off of either. Lowes or home depot usually have the plugs and ends for extension cords. 12-3 SO or SOW cord is ample for this size welder on a 40 amp breaker. ( we actually run a few 14 ga cords for the dynasty and millermatic 180, and plasma cutter, on 20 amp breakers) The SO cord is a heavy black cord that will take a lot of abuse, and is required for heavy shop use, and costs about a buck a foot. Buy the plugs and ends that match your outlet and welder. They don't have to be the same on each end. We run on the cord all the time, just have them wrapped up on the side of the cart. (The code has allowed running double normal amps through a wire to power an arc welder, taking into effect duty cycle. (NEC article 630)) We run 30-200 ft cords on a daily basis.
For in wall wiring from the breaker box to the outlet 10 GA is usually adequate for a 30 or 40 amp WELDER outlet, (the outlet should have "welder only " in red letters stencilled on the wall) some electricians are more comfortable with 6 or 8 guage in case some later person wants to plug in a dryer or stove.
We have added a number of the small size 20 amp 220 v "air conditioner" outlets around the shop, wired with 12 ga wire on 20 amp breakers , they look like a standard 120v outlet with the prongs turned flat - just for the smaller welders, it saves a lot of money. - tip on those - use the 220v 15 amp style plug ( 2 flat horizontal prongs) to avoid confusion with standard cords. We have put these these plugs on the the dynasty, a spot welder, a millermatic 180, the harbor freight inverter welder, and a spectrum 375 plasma cutter. We also have used them on saws, mills, lathes, and such that are set up for 220v single phase. My last home shop had them installed next to every 120 volt outlet, Very convenient.
(our shop standard has been 20 or 30 amp 208 or 440v, 3 phase twist-locks.)

[gbrett]

Originally Posted by Ultrachop

blkfirsprk,

you only need a Licensed electrician if you are adding to your panel. (code requirement)

Hapy New year,
Tim

that depends on where you live I don't know about your state but in oregon you can do any electrical work in your own home without an electrician but if your not sure of your abilities get a professional

[Ultrachop]

gbrett,

Sorry, I didn't mean to mislead anyone into thinking they can do anything electrical without either a permit, or hiring an electrician. (In WA the Electrical code is permitted and inspected by the State) I don't know what they do in Oregon other then collect fees/taxes from the good folks that live there!

Be Safe--Tim

[gbrett]

you do need a permit but not an electrician but where ever you live you need to check with your local building dept

[MAC702]

Originally Posted by gbrett

you do need a permit but not an electrician...

Assuming he isn't renting.

[STwelder]

More than a couple of guide lines........ So don't think a meter and a disconnect makes it safe.
( delta Y leg can show no voltage with a meter ) And also redundant power. Just to not get over confident.