Is an arc welder that can do 3.2 rods at it's max enough?

[ELL]

I weld up to 6mm mild steel plate a lot, and sometimes up to 8 or 10. Is an arc welder that can only go up to 3.2mm rods enough? Would it make welding quicker to upgrade to a more powerful arc welder? I would have to install a commando socket to do that though.

 

[Porkypine]

I've very seldom used anything bigger than 3.2 's on anything, and I've done lots of pipe welding and innumerable other fabrication and repair jobs, inc on the railway. So purely IMHO 3.2 rods are quite adequate, I'm sure others will be along to disagree, as I say purely IMHO

 

[Munkul]

I use my Lorch micorstick 160 on 4.0mm rods and it works just fine off 13 amp plugs and extensions. Usually welding around 140 amps.

It's rare that we use 4.0mm, as above, 3.2 is fine.

 

[tom2207]

I run 3.2 and stack beads if I have to , its faster and easier than starting to find heavier power , a decent extension lead and a modern inverter will sort out most issues , anything bigger than that belongs in a workshop or turns into a serious job.

 

[Mart63]

I used to weld king pin plates on calor gas trailers using 4mm rods back in the early 80s. Since then I've never needed anything bigger than 3.2mm rods. If I haven't needed anything bigger for 40 years I doubt I will now.

 

[tom2207]

I used to weld king pin plates on calor gas trailers using 4mm rods back in the early 80s. Since then I've never needed anything bigger than 3.2mm rods. If I haven't needed anything bigger for 40 years I doubt I will now.

Now youve said that ,,, you will need 4.0 next week ,,,

its how the universe works .



even worse than that ,,,,, now Ive mentioned it ,,, so will I

 

[tom2207]

dont laugh , cos now youve read that post


so will YOU

 

[hotponyshoes]

A more powerful welder might well have a better duty cycle meaning you can weld smaller rods all day long without overheating.
Although you'll also achieve that from buying a decent quality lower power machine for the sake price as a lower quahighet power machine.

 

[Mart63]

Now youve said that ,,, you will need 4.0 next week ,,,

its how the universe works .

It was so long ago. I'm now thinking I might have been using 5mm rods. Definitely possible with a 300 amp 3 phase Oxford.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Depends more on the duty cycle than anything...if it will happily run 3.2mm rods to the point it doesn't hit thermal OL when you are using it, then yes it's fine...

My welders will both run 4mm rods, but I don't see the point in buying any, if I need so weld a bit of 15mm plate I will just stack some 3.2 into it

 

[zzr1200]

It's the duty cycle that's more important, ideally you need a welder capable of 100% duty cycle @ 150/160 amps which is just possible on a 13amp plug.

 

[E T]

It's the duty cycle that's more important, ideally you need a welder capable of 100% duty cycle @ 150/160 amps which is just possible on a 13amp plug.

I'm not to sure about that 13A plug.
My Fronius can handle the 4mm rods no problem, but when I use the long 4x450mm one's after burning about 3/4 rod the 16A C curve breaker trips. At 160A welding current the draw from the mains is about 25A and 30A at startup.

 

[Memmeddu]

I've very seldom used anything bigger than 3.2 's on anything, and I've done lots of pipe welding and innumerable other fabrication and repair jobs, inc on the railway. So purely IMHO 3.2 rods are quite adequate, I'm sure others will be along to disagree, as I say purely IMHO

3.2 is enough but the welder is not big enough if said size of electrode is its maximum capacity.
You ideally want something that can do more than what's supposed to do.
So if you are planning to use 3.2 (125 ish amp ) you want something capable of 4mm (160A+)

 

[Porkypine]

3.2 is enough but the welder is not big enough if said size of electrode is its maximum capacity.
You ideally want something that can do more than what's supposed to do.
So if you are planning to use 3.2 (125 ish amp ) you want something capable of 4mm (160A+)

I've had a Fronius transpocket 150 for over 20 years and it's done everything I've ever asked of it with no argument ever. ( on a 13a plug too )

 

[anto44]

I have a thermal arc 175 and I only ever use 2.5 and 3.2 rods. It'll run 3.2 rods at 120amp all day long on a 13 amp plug no issues. It will run 4mm rods but not on a 13amp plug.
For 6mm to 10mm metal I'd say 3.2 will be fine

 

[Mick Annick]

I use my Lorch micorstick 160 on 4.0mm rods and it works just fine off 13 amp plugs and extensions. Usually welding around 140 amps.

It's rare that we use 4.0mm, as above, 3.2 is fine.

My Micorstick fan barely kicks in on 3.2mm rods, lovely little machine… Sorry for the thread drift.