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Adding some electrical to the garage for metal work

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by Danimal86, May 20, 2020.

  1. May 20, 2020 at 1:41 PM
    #1
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 [OP] Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Daniel
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    I'm going to have a family friend thats an electrician come over and help me install a whole home surge protector (we had a surge last summer, many neighbors lost a lot of appliances/electronics). I think i'm going to go with this guy since it can take multiple hits over the Eaton ones that are one-and-done. It should be very bad of an install, our panel is on the outside of our garage wall.
    https://smile.amazon.com/Siemens-FS140-Whole-House-Protection/dp/B013WINMK6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=37TXA54HJY9IX&dchild=1&keywords=whole+home+surge+protector&qid=1590005869&sprefix=whole+home+surge%2Cautomotive%2C198&sr=8-3

    He's a really busy guy, so while i have him here i'd like to have him run some other outlets in the garage. Right now i've got one of those 4' power strips above my workbench thats connected to the same circuit (i cant remeber if its a 10a or 15a breaker) as the sprinkler controller. So it would be nice to run a dedicated 20amp plug. We also have a Travel Trailer and having a 30amp plug would be nice.

    I would like to get into some welding/metal work down the line so it seems like it would be a good time to install an outlet for that. I haven't really looked into what kind of welder to get, but i figured 220v would be better over the 110.

    Thoughts? Anything else i should look at?
    I attached a picture of our breaker box
    IMG_20200520_133405.jpg
     
  2. May 31, 2020 at 8:01 AM
    #2
    Ps3udonymous

    Ps3udonymous Who is the smart ass that changed the title?

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    Conveniently, I'm looking into getting a cheap welder to learn on also. As for all that I've seen, a 240v welder will generally have a longer duty cycle compared to a 120v welder.

    Which means, the lower the duty cycle the less time you can weld before you have to let the welder take a break.

    Another thing, is a 240v welder will generally be able to weld thicker material in one pass. But, this also will come with practice and doing it properly.

    As for recommendations, think about how much you want to invest in a welder. Do you think it's something you'll stick with? Or will it be a once in a blue moon thing? What will you be welding? Not to mention the different types of welding, MIG, TIG, Stick.

    A lot of people have told me to buy once, cry once. But it's all up to you. If you're just starting out, look into a multiprocess machine. That way you can screw around with different types of welding and if you love TIG, then you can invest in a higher quality TIG welder for example.

    There's a plethora of information on welding on the internet so just take a look at what you want to do and search that up.
     
  3. May 31, 2020 at 9:13 AM
    #3
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 [OP] Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Thanks for the advice. I figured that going with the higher voltage would be best. A family friend that is a welder said to go with a miller auto-set mig. It's $2k so on the pricey side for a beginners, but if it's something that will last me forever, not the worst.
    https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-212-auto-set-mig-welder-m00456

    I'm not sure what my breaker panel will be able to hold all of this. The surge protector you have to hook it up to a dual 20amp breakers. I was thinking about pulling the dryer circuit (ours is gas...don't think I'll ever get a an electric one). That would leave me enough room in the box to do what I want.
    Another option would be to add a 100amp breaker and put a sub panel in the garage and it would have plenty of room to do whatever I want.
     
  4. May 31, 2020 at 9:26 AM
    #4
    Fishin RGV-Trd Pro

    Fishin RGV-Trd Pro White is faster

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    For a 240v all you need is a 50 amp breaker only for the welder. I have a Hobart stick welder which works like a charm. Good luck.
     
  5. May 31, 2020 at 8:38 PM
    #5
    Ps3udonymous

    Ps3udonymous Who is the smart ass that changed the title?

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    I'm a plumber not an electrician lol so I'm not 100% up to speed on surge protectors like yours. But, if you don't need the breaker for the dryer, use it for the welder. However, make sure it is rated for which ever welder you're planning on getting. However, if it's old, just grab a new one. They're like $20 I think...cheaper than saving money and causing an electrical fire
     

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