Yet another welder Q, 110 v 220 Options

[lapuwali]

I've read through a lot of the welder questions, and one topic regularly mentioned is 110 v 220, with "220 is better" usually being expressed.

Now, I can understand the amps v. volts v. power issue (power to actually melt something is measured in Watts, which is amps x volts. However, power through a wire is essentially amp-limited, and power through a household circuit is very much limited by the breaker, which is amp-limited). 110v x 20a is 2200W, where 220v x 20a is 4400W, so 220v definitely gives you more power.

However, how much power do you actually NEED for car work? Most of the time, you'd be welding 16-20g sheet, except for things like engine mounts, cages, and the like, where you might use thick-walled tube, but still you're unlikely to use much over 1/8" wall, even for a cage.

Aluminum welding would require more power, but (IMHO) would also really require TIG. So, for steel work using MIG, how much power do you really require? What's the highest amp setting normally seen when doing the kind of welding you'll see on a 914 (or any other typical car)?

[lapuwali]

QUOTE (Spoke @ Nov 7 2005, 02:47 PM)

I just purchased a Millermatic 135 110V welder and have welded stuff on my 914 like connection tab on a sway bar, muffler hanger, and some sheet metal. Specs for 100V welders show 1/4 in mild steel capability in a single pass, whereas 220V welders allow 5/16 inch. The one item that sold me on 110V was availability of 220V (NOT!) in my garage and the reality that most of the welding for my 914 would involve steel much thinner than 1/4 in. So far so good with the 110V welder. As I say 110V is ok, someone will opine that 220V is the way to go. This is similar to HP for your 914. If 100HP is ok, 120HP is better, 140HP is even better, ... Spoke

Well, there are specs, and there's reality. Welding 1/4", would, I'd think, require a lot of power, and is way more than I can imagine ever using. The usual number for wall thickness on a rollcage is about 0.090", and I know people who regularly build good motorcycle spaceframes with 0.060 wall tube. I'd say 0.125 is about the upper limit of anything I'd ever use for anything.

Let's ignore duty cycle, which is really only a need for someone in a hurry (like someone trying to make money welding). Most of us can wait.

My motivation here is twofold: one, I've read the "go 220" comment pretty often, but with no real data to back it up (instant red flag); two, I CAN run 220 to my garage, but I'd really prefer not to unless I really need it. The only 220 outlets in the house are on the opposite side of the house from the garage, and the breaker panel is as far from the garage as it can be.