Arc welder. Is this safe to use?

[Bryan Williams]

acquired this a while back tested it by doing a few inches of weld just to see if it fired up. Makes a loud buzzing noise (buzz box?)
Cannot find any amp ratings on it . My other arc welders work OK since I had a sparks uprate to a 30 amp fuse and run the correct wiring to the shed.
Also it has about twelve meter of power cable and welder gun cable but the earth is only two metres . Can't see how that would work .
Looks quite a powerful welder, don't want to be getting out of my depth and getting fried.

 

[skotl]

Do you have a multimeter / continuity tester?
I’d check that the earth pin on the plug has continuity to the case, and that there is no continuity between live or neutral to the case.

Other that, it’s messy, may or may not work, but is unlikely to be dangerous.

 

[rtbcomp]

Run it through an RCD

 

[Wozzaaah]

The front says 180 so most likely 180 amps.

 

[cumbriasteve]

but the earth is only two metres . Can't see how that would work .

It does not matter how long the earth cable is, it's only to connect the machine to the job, the torch cable is the one that has to reach the weld area.

So for example if you had a 10 metres of railings to weld, the machine would sit at one end with the earth connected and your torch lead will reach the full lengthof the job.

 

[Shedendman]

It also olympic approved

 

[Bryan Williams]

It does not matter how long the earth cable is, it's only to connect the machine to the job, the torch cable is the one that has to reach the weld area.

So for example if you had a 10 metres of railings to weld, the machine would sit at one end with the earth connected and your torch lead will reach the full lengthof the job.

Yes I thought it might have been used on site to maybe work around a big frame ect just thought the earth was supposed to be as near the weld as reasonably possible .

 

[cumbriasteve]

In an ideal world the closer the better but as long as it is well earthed on clean steel for the average user it is fine.

I used to weld up railings on site with a lead that must have been over 10 metres, never bothered moving the earth closer, after busting a gut lifting the oil cooled welder out of the trailer I was happy to leave it one spot.

 

[Bryan Williams]

In an ideal world the closer the better but as long as it is well earthed on clean steel for the average user it is fine.

I used to weld up railings on site with a lead that must have been over 10 metres, never bothered moving the earth closer, after busting a gut lifting the oil cooled welder out of the trailer I was happy to leave it one spot.

OK cheers yes this thing is really heavy as well proper bad back stuff.., so I want it tucked under my bench so I can weld outside in the fresh air when possible, probably extend the earth a couple of metres with some of the welder cable .
What about amps?
Guess with it being 240 on its lower setting its OK run from the house on a 30 a fuse ?
Also the buzz, quite loud really, my other second hand stick welder also made a loud buzz but it went after a hour or so use and never happened again now has just a quiet hum , is it just a use thing ?

 

[Shedendman]

If it welds ok i wouldn't worry about the buzz,its the fizz pop bang you got to worry about
Why not make a frame with wheels for it to sit on

 

[Bryan Williams]

If it welds ok i wouldn't worry about the buzz,its the fizz pop bang you got to worry about
Why not make a frame with wheels for it to sit on

To be honest I have a glut of arc welders a little Clark 90 inverter, a Sealy 160 and this thing.I potter about in the shed with the first two but as I have the long leads for this and this looks the best for thick plate I thought it would be best under the bench so I can just mess about in the yard destroying stuff .
Even on a trolley it's up a couple of steps to the shed and then it's in the way I have about a square metre of standing room.
It's not for work or owt just making stoves ect ..
I'm rough as a bears but it keeps me out of the pub

 

[Rig Pig]

I have an Oxford 180 with lovely long leads, I had to lift the Oxford out of the back of my Volvo several years ago and I have no intention of picking it up again ever!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

It also olympic approved

Dual voltage capability too, by the selector switch at 12 o'clock.

 

[chris y]

Guess with it being 240 on its lower setting its OK run from the house on a 30 a fuse ?
?

It will probably work at the full range of its settings from a 30A supply as long as you don't use a long extension lead. And whatever you use make sure its uncoiled.