Farmall Cub

Have been taking a welding class at our local VO Tech school and of course I now think I'm the WELDER OF THE YEAR! Ha! But I'm picking up a older ac/dc/300 amp welder from my teach. I'll be putting in a 50 amp breaker and want to know what size wire I should use for this job. Appreciate your help.

Dan Stuckey
Altoona, Pa.

Dan,

If you use copper, use #6. If you use aluminum, increase it to #4.

Also, if you use aluminum, make sure you have al/cu connectors and be sure to use an anti-oxidant.

#6 copper wire is good up to 60 Amps. Go with copper, stay away from aluminum.

I agree, stay with the copper!

I too am a novice welder. You are talking about a mig welder, correct?
I was given a small Lincoln welder, great price! What type of rods should I use for all around welding (6011)? I will not try cast iron. I'll take the cracked block to a professional when I get it torn down.

Thanks guys,

Ken,

Actually I was refering to a arc welder. I am buying a mig, but only a 135 amp Lincoln and it runs off of 110 volt. I do have 220 but want to be able to take it away from my shop.

As for the arc, looked at acouple of used welders, but their only ac or real old so I guess I'm plunging for Lincoln ac/dc 225. Hope to get a price break by purchasing them together. A from my little experience, the 6011 is a good rod to have on hand.

Dan Stuckey
Altoona, PA

Ken, I haven't looked at the new ones, but the older Lincoln ac/dc 225 welders only gave a maximum of 115 amps when used on dc.

6011 rod will give you a deeper penatration but it takes a steady hand to get it to flow properly. I would suggest buying 7018 rod ( a good grade, it is well worth spending the extra $) probably 3/32 to 1/8. 7018 is alot easier to work with, penatrates well, and gives you a really nice finish, especially if you are running a weave or stringers.If you were to run 6011 and then 7018, I believe you would see what I mean.

Bill

I agree with the guys and all that has been said. When I wired in the circuit for the arc welder (220 V), it was all done with copper. Even though our Provincial Hydro Utility uses aluminum for mains and drops, my electrician and most of the pro's I know insist on copper for all circuits. Aluminum and copper mixes is just too dangerous. Stay with copper.

I have been learning to weld with 6011's as that is what my father-in-law always uses. I have had some pretty good luck with these rods and my welding is getting much, much better. I too have been told to experiment with the 7018's, as it is a little easier, but so far have not ventured there.

I find the 6011's do a really good all-around weld and once you get used to starting the rod, it is actually pretty easy to keep up a good puddle. The main difficulty I have had so far is when trying to build up slightly larger areas - gotta go slow but not too slow and I have not mastered that yet! Practice will make perfect....