Speedway Welder?

[thomasr]

Greetings all! First time poster here. I'm a home-garage type welder...nothing too serious but I like making, fixing, designing things whether it be metal, wood or whatever. I use my CH MIG in Flux-core mode most of the time...it ain't always pretty but it usually holds.

As part of a horse trading venture I recently got a Speedway 100 amp Arc welder. The original owner told me it was new...he had never used it...and it sure looked like it. Still in the box wrapped in plastic, although it didin't have a owners manual or any kind of instructions. I've had it in the garage for a couple months now and just got around to trying it out. It won't do squat. It will arc, but only slightly, and then stick...useing a 3/32 rod. Tried, tried and tried...makes a little bit of noise and then sticks. Took a closer look and noticed a tag that said "Input 230V"...but the plug is a standard 110v type. Does not compute. Contacted the original owner again and he said that's the way he got it (long story on its own). Can anybody shed some light on this welder? I realize it's an ultra-cheap unit but it should do better than what I've seen so far. If in fact it requires 230v it should have a different plug on it (right?). It sure acts like it doesn't have enough umph to get going. I've done a search on the web but haven't really found any info to help me in this regard. Do I need to put a different plug on it and go for 220v? Obviously I'd like some reliable info before going this route on my own. Appreciate any help y'all might offer. Thanks.
REX

 

[shenion]

It may be 230V, hard to say. Is there a label on it with voltage/duty cycle/current ratings? Post a pic of the unit along with any rating labels. If it says its output voltage, you could use a meter to verify if it is right on 110.

I picked up a $0.99 100A arc welder of fleabay. With 3/32 rods, all you can do is stick the rods to things. The voltage is low and there is not enough current to start a rod properly.

I picked up some 5/64 rods and it is much easier. 1/16" rods are real easy.

Where are you located? I have a bunch of 1/16" rods, I could send you some.

 

[thomasr]

Shenion,
I'm down in Warner Robins, GA. I really don't expect a lot from this unit, but I at least expected it to work. Where did you get 5/64 and 1/16 rods? I hit the two local welding supply stores...thinking a smaller rod might be the ticket...and I got strange looks from both. Guess they're not used to dealing with the little stuff. The unit is over at a friends right now, but I can tell you it doesn't have much in the way of labels and markings. Like I said, the 230v input and the 110v plug is throwing me. How can that be? Thanks for responding.
REX

 

[shenion]

I got 10 lbs of 1/16" MG500 (6013) rods of ebay. Sometimes they pop up. 5/64 are rare, I got them from weldingdepot.com. An off brand.

Sears has 1/16" 6013 rods made by Lincoln Electric. I think they have 5/64 too. My nearest Sears has almost no welding supplies. Went to another and they had some. They work ok, but at $6 for 1/2 lb they are expensive.

Like I said, I have 10lbs of those MG500 rods. I have little use for them as I found better rods for thin metal (and have a 250+ amp welder.) I'ld be glad to send you some, no charge. PM me you address.

Plugs on welders are odd. My Clarke draws 20A and it has a 15A plug. Many that sell 220V welders just don't include a plug as there is no common standard. My compressor has what looks like a 110V plug with one spade rotated 90 degrees. One welder had a dryer plug, the other a 50A range plug.

If you have a voltmeter, turn unit on and measure voltage on output, should be around 40-50 VAC for that small a welder.

 

[shenion]

Received PM, rods will be sent tomorrow morning.

It will cost you though You will have to post picts of your welds for public ridicule

Actually, the group here is great with helpful criticism. They only ridicule those to post chicken poop welds and think they are fine.

 

[thomasr]

Ha Ha! Deal. I'm pretty much a self taught welder from books and websites, trial and error so I can use all the "real" help I can get. Again that's mighty nice of you Shenion. I'd eventually would like to trust my welding enough to build treestands for hunting...I've got some ideas for a pretty novel setup...butI'm not sure I'm ready to trust my welding with my life. So with that in mind I'll probably be hanging around here to pick y'alls brains. Thanks again, have a good one.
REX

 

[thomasr]

Shout out!

I'd like to give a public shout out to Shenion. He doesn't know me from Adam but he was kind enough to send me some 1/16 rods out of his stash to try and help me get going with an off-brand welder. You don't run across this kind of generousity very often these days. Helps restore a little of my faith in people. Thanks again Shenion.
REX