Hughes91

Just a quick question because I am admittedly uneducated on welding and anything to do with it. Basically I have my eye set on a stick welder that is 220v. But my house does not have a 220 plug. My dad says it's on the list of things to get done but we all know that's gonna take way longer than it should lol. So my question is would a generator like this be capable of running the welder.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/champio...erator-4434023

It says it has 120v and 220v but I just feel like I'm missing something here cause it seems to easy. Is 3500watts enough?

Thanks in advance for any help guys

Hughes91

This is the welder I had in mind if anyone was curious/has any experience with it. Seems pretty good for the price and has great reviews all over the net.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/hobart-...welder-3837309

motorcharge

If you've never welded you don't want to start out on a stick machine. They make 110/220 machines, get one that works on both.

A small generator is going to be underpowered to provide constant power to a welder and you don't want to do it with cheap generator and/or welder.

Save the extra money and buy a quality MIG machine that can run off 110 and 220. Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart.

TheCK4x4

Or plug it into your washer/dryer outlet haha ! Jk but ya idk I'd save up for a mig if I were u. Unless you can weld good with stick (I can't , idk why either? Mig I can do pretty decent with) just my 2 cents

motorcharge

Stick welding requires a lot more know how, skill, and practice than MIG, especially on thinner metals. It's a different animal entirely.

TheCK4x4

Exactly right ^^^

xjheep92

nothing wrong with using the dryer outet as long as its rated for your welder. thats what i use for my miller 180. am i missing something?

TheCK4x4

Where is your dryer at? Lol cause mie is next to the kitchen. So I'd be welding in the kitchen if I used that! Haha I can already picture that

Hughes91

Damn you guys are quick. So if I understand correctly the only problem with my plan is that the generator that I found is just under powered. Does anyone know how much power I'd need to run what I want?

And in regards to the stick over mig I appreciate all the suggests but I should have specified a little more. I know a bit of what I'm doing with the actual welding Im just not too good with knowing what will power what with out blowing up haha. My dad welded stick for a long time but stopped years ago so I'm sure he can still provide the basics. I also have an uncle who welds for a living so I have him for back up and I have used stick before. Am I good? not at all but that's what practice and patience is for lol

xjheep92

lol ok i got ya.
yea i made a 75ft extention cord from 10/3 so i could run it out in my garage or driveway

TheCK4x4

See there ya go! I guess imma have to do that if I get a welder before we move haha.

TheCK4x4

And Hughes idk much about generators running welders? I'm sure it can be done I see trucks with welders and generators all over the place here. But maybe try and google what kind if generator do I need to run a 220v welder. Maybe more help.

smeltmaster1

if you have the power ran to your garage 8 gauge wire at least it will be easy to run a plug in the garage just do it right under the fuse box if you have on in your garage but you should if your gonna be running a welder

cdhebert

If you want to figure out what size generator you'd need (in watts) - Multiply the volts (220) by the max amperage you expect to use. If the welder is a 90 amp machine, you'd need a generator capable of putting out almost 20,000 watts. 220v X 90A = 19,800 watts.
You probably wouldn't often use the welder at max amperage, but you get what I'm saying. There is no way that generator (or any affordable home generator) is gonna reliably run a welding machine.

Lyferxb9s

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I would buy the cheapest wire feed welder you could find on craigslist, even a harbor freight one. To start out with I think they are fine to learn with. After getting even half way decent with a flux core welder, going with gas after that your weld will be pretty damn good. I started out that way and now have worked my way up to using a big miller tig at work and amp buying an eastwood tig here soon.