The Tax Return Electrician

Erin Burke

Erin Burke

Well-Known Member
Hey Dogs,

I'm fortunate in that I will be getting a fairly hefty tax return this year. There are a few tools that I have been on my wish list, but the main ones are:
  • a bench-top mill (I am leaning toward the Grizzly version of the Seig X3).
  • A nice MIG welder
This post concerns the MIG welder.

The welder that I really want is the Millermatic 212. Cyberweld.com has this welder for $1,535 (or for $2,260 with the spool gun). My concern is whether my shop's existing 220 circuit will be adequate to power this machine. Currently I have one 220 circuit to the shop. It is protected by a 30-amp breaker in my home's panel. The wiring is #10. Currently I use this circuit to feed my 2hp KMG, my HT kiln and my table saw (though none of them simultaneously). The Millermatic 212 spec sheet says that this welder draws 28-amps at rated output... and recommends a MAXIMUM circuit breaker of 40-amps at 230-volts. If I run this welder off my 30-amp circuit breaker, am I likely to have a lot of nuisance trips? Or will everything be OK?

Thanks in advance.

Erin
 
Call a licensed electrician. They should answer your question over the phone.

What I was told when asking about wiring for my kiln, was to go a step up on the breaker. It's rated at 120v/13 amps, but the pros told me that's what it's pulling when it's running smooth and steady. Could pull as much as 50% more on start-up, etc and easily trip a 15 amp breaker. So they ran 40 amps out to the shop (off a 100 amp box in the house) and a dedicated, 20-amp circuit just for the kiln.
 
Is there a reason you need one that big?

I would just go with the milleratic 180, plenty of heat and you can do thin stuff.
The 212 is a bit much unless you are going to be doing alot of heavy steel around 1/2 or bigger.
The 180 will weld 1/2 if you groove it and weld nice and hot.
Thats what I mostly use at work and I weld all day!!
 
Ernie Swanson said:
Is there a reason you need one that big?

I would just go with the milleratic 180, plenty of heat and you can do thin stuff.
The 212 is a bit much unless you are going to be doing alot of heavy steel around 1/2 or bigger.
The 180 will weld 1/2 if you groove it and weld nice and hot.
Thats what I mostly use at work and I weld all day!!
Click to expand...

There are a few reasons why I'd rather go with the 212 over the 180. F
  • They both will weld thin stuff... but with more power comes the ability to weld thicker stuff.
  • The 212 has a duty cycle of 60% at rated output... the 180 only runs at 30%. If I were looking for a 30% unit, I'd more likely go with the Hobart Handler 210 and save some money.
  • The 212 allows you to have your MIG gun and a spool gun (for aluminum) connected at the same time. With the 180, you have to swap them out.
  • With a lifetime tool, like a welder, I'd rather get what I want now and not regret my decision later.

I'm sure the MM 180 is a nice unit... I'd just rather have the 212. :D

Erin
 
Erin, you should be fine with the 30 amp circuit.
I would personally retighten the lugs at the breaker as well as at the receptacle just to be safe.
 
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