Welding 1/8 to 3/16 mild steel with powerarc 140st on 120v ?

[ridenlow559]

Ok so I plan on building my frame for my 1936 chevy pick up this summer. Steel will be from 1/8 2x4 square tubing to 3/16 thick plate. Welder is rated up to 1/8 using 120v and 1/8 to 3/16 on 220v. My question is. Can I weld it up on 120v. Looks like I can with the right prep. Just want some input from other fabricators on here. Thanks.

[geezer]

Regardless of what type of welding you try with a 120 volt welder,,,tig or stick or mig,,,you will not get the proper results unless you have it on a 20 amp breaker or a 25 amp breaker for 120 volts,,,just using a regular 15 amp 120 volt breaker just won't cut it at max output on these small welders.

[JimMinKent]

Ok so I plan on building my frame for my 1936 chevy pick up this summer. Steel will be from 1/8 2x4 square tubing to 3/16 thick plate. Welder is rated up to 1/8 using 120v and 1/8 to 3/16 on 220v. My question is. Can I weld it up on 120v. Looks like I can with the right prep. Just want some input from other fabricators on here. Thanks.

I hope I am not misunderstanding what you are after, I am commenting as if you are asking about your truck chassis (frame) and not some type of ladder rack, or accessory frame. Here goes.

You did good to ask at this early point, it will give you time to make proper preparations.

The quick answer is "Well, let's just not". Although the machine will weld non-critical stuff on 120v, a truck frame deserves better. I have one of these, and respect what it can do, and it absolutely comes alive on 220v. It will run 1/8" 7018 all day, and that would be adequate, if your technique is. If you are thinking TIG, you need 220v.

So get yourself set up with a 220v circuit, and practice until you are able to trust your own welds to hold together a vehicle you put your family in, and run on public streets.

There is a way, but give the machine the best chance with good input power.

Post pix!

[Rambozo]

I have the same machine and would agree with Jim, it's not something you want to do when there are other options. With the right prep, and technique it could do the job, but that would only be with a lot of skill. Much better to just go with 240 volt and get that extra power. Also you do not need great gobs of 240 either, it will run fine on a 20 amp 240 circuit. Depending on your wiring, it might be very easy to add that to your work area.

[johnson697]

i was thinking of getting 1 of these 140st for welding on thin material like maybe exhaust pipe or thin sheet metal but i want to use it on 110 20 amp breaker...will it do this?i already have 250ex and it is a great machine but i want something i can pick up put it in the cab of my truck and go do minor exhaust work or thin sheet metal.

[Rambozo]

i was thinking of getting 1 of these 140st for welding on thin material like maybe exhaust pipe or thin sheet metal but i want to use it on 110 20 amp breaker...will it do this?i already have 250ex and it is a great machine but i want something i can pick up put it in the cab of my truck and go do minor exhaust work or thin sheet metal.

It would be perfect for that stuff. Super light and compact, and more than enough power on 120v. The big PITA is the argon bottle. One place where having one of those dinky ones can be nice. Or bust out the 1/16" 7014 and then you are really portable. I have used the machine for just that application with over 100 feet of 120v extension cord to weld up some thin tubing in a hard to get to area.

[johnson697]

new toy for spring then....i have a jeep cherokee and the exhaust flange rusted out and no shop around wanted to touch it to repair it without putting all new pipe in was gonna charge me 1100.00 to do it and this why i am gonna get this machine so i dont get ripped off and hopefully make some money on repairs for other exhaust work.