Current too Low?

[Clip]

hey all, picked up a cheap arc welding setup from northern the other day and i've just been practicing on some scrap pieces of steel in the basement.

only problem is, i can't seem to get a decent bead going, with electrodes ranging from 1/16 to 3/32 to 1/8. welder goes from 40 amps to 130 amps.

from the pictures on the web and in the books and manual, it looks like my current is too low. the weld is often spotty, with several breaks and my longest bead is about half an inch. the bead looks extremely thin compared to the electrode.

anyone have any advice? if you need pics just lemme know and ill go snap some.

on a side note, should i not be running this off of a 25' 14 gauge extension cord?

 

[supra90turbo]

14awg cord? no no no. you can't pass enough current through that.
Get an electrician to make you a big ass extension cord. tell him what you're using it for and he should be able to do it for you.

 

[Clip]

thats what i was afraid of. how about a short 10 awg?

 

[MK3Brent]

Just a side note, but I don't think it's advised to weld in a closed room. Like a basement.

Be careful man.

 

[Clip]

yeah, can't weld in the basement. too much flammable stuff in there, anyway. im doing most of this on the driveway.

edit: those scrap pieces of steel were LAYING* in the basement. i took em outside. lol brent, +1 for catching it.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to MK3Brent again. damn.

 

[chriso]

A 1/8" rod would normally be set in the 90 Amp range for good penetration and flow. If the bead is spotty and hard to maintain, up your amps. Also make sure the metal you are welding is clean (no rust) and your rods are fresh. The flux coating will absorb moisture over time and render them useless.

As stated above, a 14ga extension cord won't cut it for you. You may be alright with 10ga but I'm not sure. My stick welder is hardwired straight to my breaker panel with 8ga (iirc) and a 50A breaker, oh and it's 208V.

 

[Clip]

yeah ive had the welder cranked up to 130 amps and cant seem to draw a decent bead. rods are great, brand new.

as for the extension cord, could i go get an 8 gauge section of cable and put some heavy duty plugs on there?