How big a generator do I need to run a Lincoln 220 stick welder.

[fried1765]

I had this exact issue at my last house. The barn/shop building where I wanted to use my Lincoln 220 amp welder was over 500’ from the house and the service box location would have required trenching through a lot of driveway. I ended up installing a new service box on the barn and the power company installed a new meter there after bringing in the wires on poles (at their expense). I had two power bills, but still the cost savings was worth it in my case.

I did the opposite!
Rented a trencher.
Ran 500'+ of direct burial 4/0 copper, 35 years ago, from 200A house, to barn.
Have never had a 2nd power bill for over 35 years.
I think that I have saved money!

 

[fried1765]

Most places I have lived if there is power along the road adjacent to the land, the power companies will provide meter service to a new service box.

Usually depends on the distance of the required run.

 

[Vlach7]

I did the opposite!
Rented a trencher.
Ran 500'+ of direct burial 4/0 copper, 35 years ago, from house to barn.
Have never had a 2nd power bill for over 35 years.
I think that I have saved money!

Wow, just think what that wire would cost today.

 

[fried1765]

Wow, just think what that wire would cost today.

It wasn't cheap then either, ......but I still think I made a good decision.

 

[John T]

My 'cheap' AC225 was $250 back in 1987, less than the cost for a guy to weld up a flat deck for my F100. Since then have built 20+ trailer, countless repairs to farm stuff, countless rider mower decks repaired. Big or small, it does it all. The ONLY cost in 30+ years has been to replace the AMPS switch ( $50) , about 10 years ago.
So it has been 'cheap'... ,er, economical, a GREAT buy....

Yes I agree.
I'm not saying the welder is "junk" never said that.

I owned one for many years and built a lot of things.

You can find one for $100.00 -$150.00 any day of the week.
but they are NOT great.... the stepped amp settings especially.
150
170
200 in steps sux.
much better to have a fine setting to get, say 160 amps if you want.

Anyway, it doesn't make sense to go out and buy a $1500.00 generator to power it.

there are a LOT of better machines out there.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

'better' is subject to what you're welding project is.
For me I use brand name E7018AC 1/8" rods, 120 amps all day long, building trailers or fixing farm equipment. It works for me. Donated the combo wire feed flux/tank welder unit 3 years ago as I never used it.
If I need 'special' stuff done ( TIG, SS, BX23S loader ) I barter with my neighbour who has a wall full of certificates and 30,000 sq ft shop full of 'better' machines.

Nice thing about the genny though is using it when the power goes off for 3-8 days !!

 

[John T]

'better' is subject to what you're welding project is.
For me I use brand name E7018AC 1/8" rods, 120 amps all day long, building trailers or fixing farm equipment. It works for me. Donated the combo wire feed flux/tank welder unit 3 years ago as I never used it.
If I need 'special' stuff done ( TIG, SS, BX23S loader ) I barter with my neighbour who has a wall full of certificates and 30,000 sq ft shop full of 'better' machines.

Nice thing about the genny though is using it when the power goes off for 3-8 days !!

 

[John T]

'better' is subject to what you're welding project is

For me I use brand name E7018AC 1/8" rods, 120 amps all day long, building trailers or fixing farm equipment. It works for me. Donated the combo wire feed flux/tank welder unit 3 years ago as I never used it.
If I need 'special' stuff done ( TIG, SS, BX23S loader ) I barter with my neighbour who has a wall full of certificates and 30,000 sq ft shop full of 'better' machines.

Nice thing about the genny though is using it when the power goes off for 3-8 days !!

Seems like you have a chip on your shoulder for some reason.

Lots of nonsense coming from you, so here goes.

A "better" welder has NOTHING to do with what your welding project is.

If YOU are happy with AC 7018 1/8" rod for everything... then you probably are not a very versatile or experienced practitioner of the welding craft.

Like said before, I have owned a Lincoln AC225 .... it is fine but limited.
then again... I've seen guys arc weld with 2 car batteries .. so whatever gets you through the day...
but don't pretend it's "great"

If you enjoy burning 7018 on AC at 120 amps thats fine.... not everyone does.



My 1961 Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC will blow your mind. It's like melting butter.
night & day ... no comparison to the AC225



As far as a wire feed welder, They are invaluable in the shop.
personally not a fan of flux core... too dirty. solid wire/c25 is the way to go.

My Miller211 has paid for itself 100 times over.


And finally, your comment on using a genny when the power goes out is kind of silly...
An Engine drive welder will do the SAME thing.

generator/welder.

Which was my original and only point.

WHY put 5x the money into a generator to power a subpar welder.
doesn't make sense

.

 

[BAP]

Seems like you have a chip on your shoulder for some reason.

Lots of nonsense coming from you, so here goes.

A "better" welder has NOTHING to do with what your welding project is.

If YOU are happy with AC 7018 1/8" rod for everything... then you probably are not a very versatile or experienced practitioner of the welding craft.

Like said before, I have owned a Lincoln AC225 .... it is fine but limited.
then again... I've seen guys arc weld with 2 car batteries .. so whatever gets you through the day...
but don't pretend it's "great"

If you enjoy burning 7018 on AC at 120 amps thats fine.... not everyone does.



My 1961 Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC will blow your mind. It's like melting butter.
night & day ... no comparison to the AC225



As far as a wire feed welder, They are invaluable in the shop.
personally not a fan of flux core... too dirty. solid wire/c25 is the way to go.

My Miller211 has paid for itself 100 times over.


And finally, your comment on using a genny when the power goes out is kind of silly...
An Engine drive welder will do the SAME thing.

generator/welder.

Which was my original and only point.

WHY put 5x the money into a generator to power a subpar welder.
doesn't make sense

. View attachment 143935

Well said. Those Idealarc 250 welders are great solid welders. Laid down a lot of beads with one of those. We had one on the farm. Later on added a Lincoln welder generator to take in the fields to weld and have electricity. Also used it as a generator many times.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

No chip on shoulder, just saying that for many, you don't need an expensive, complicated welder for their projects. Like tractors and hammers, you don't need the BIGGEST tool to do the small jobs.

Sure a DC welder is 'better' , and vari-rel is 'better' than tapped and I dare to say, some here will swear you have to have a $$$ wire fed ,inverter guts,multi gas, auto current,self thinking 3phase powered welder.


As for my genny comment, the OP already has the welder, so he only needs the genny ,which is probably less expensive than a genny/welder. Course if he bought the combo, he's have a spare welder on the property ,well until someone decides they need to borrow it for a job....

In the end, hopefully his decision is based on options for what works best for him

 

[JRHill]

I've only seen a rolling wheel amp welder once or twice. Maybe at a shop... So if we are going this direction I want a foot pedal. I want FULL control when I want it and at my whim. I don't want to get up and change anything just to do it again.

The generator will have fun with that, won't it?