Hi all, looking at getting my first MIG welder (likely the seemingly infamous Clarke 151 EN, or something slightly more powerful). I may also get a stick or TIG welder at some point in the future if that influences any answers.
I plan on welding up to 5/6mm bar/plate/tubing, and one-off thicker pieces for furniture that won't need to have too strong welds (e.g. 12mm thick I-beam flanges).
With this in mind (and as we're already doing building work), I'm going to get a line run from my consumer unit, so:
1. Will a 16A dedicated supply be sufficient, or would 32A be future-proofing or too much?
The only suitable welding area is ~20m away at the end of the garden, so I was planning on having a round 3pin socket installed. But rather than a permanent armoured cable and waterproof socket etc, I'm thinking to install it indoors at my back entrance, then run an extension lead whenever I weld, so:
2. Will I notice any significant power drop by using a 25m extension cord?
And finally:
3. Will the orange caravan extension leads (or any other 2.5mm2 cable), work for this? (for a 16A supply of course)
Thanks in advance! I've already learned a lot from this forum but just couldn't find any exact answers to this in previous threads.
I plan on welding up to 5/6mm bar/plate/tubing, and one-off thicker pieces for furniture that won't need to have too strong welds (e.g. 12mm thick I-beam flanges).
With this in mind (and as we're already doing building work), I'm going to get a line run from my consumer unit, so:
1. Will a 16A dedicated supply be sufficient, or would 32A be future-proofing or too much?
The only suitable welding area is ~20m away at the end of the garden, so I was planning on having a round 3pin socket installed. But rather than a permanent armoured cable and waterproof socket etc, I'm thinking to install it indoors at my back entrance, then run an extension lead whenever I weld, so:
2. Will I notice any significant power drop by using a 25m extension cord?
And finally:
3. Will the orange caravan extension leads (or any other 2.5mm2 cable), work for this? (for a 16A supply of course)
Thanks in advance! I've already learned a lot from this forum but just couldn't find any exact answers to this in previous threads.