My new mig welder only has about a 5 foot power cord. The welding cable from the unit to the gun is another 6 to 8 feet, as is the ground clamp. I like to do my welding just outside of my garage just in case something bad happens and there is a fire. I can get the welding cart to the overhead door, and thats it. What is my best option for an extension cord for this thing. Its 220V although it will run on 110 with some goofy looking 2' cord that came with it. Switches internally automatically. The plug I installed in the garage is a 50A 220 plug and is the one recommended by the welder manufacturer. Should I, can I make up an extension cord that has this plug on either end, or am I better off installing another breaker in the box and running a new 50A cable to a portable plug? Electrical panel and the first plug I installed are right next to the overhead door, so I can remove that piece of sheetrock again and run a new portable outlet fairly easy. Are portable outlets even legal? I assume if they are, they would first have to pass thru a disconnect.
I would just make an extension cord. I run mine on a Cord when I want to get outside the shop.
I have 8 gauge cable wired into the box/ breakers, 15' long or so w/ 220V receptacle in a box. It covers anything inside and reaches outside to my car port. Prolly could make an extension up but haven't needed it so far.
An electrical store can help you do it the right way-make an extension cord for about $100 with stranded wire, a plug, box and receptacle, or you can do it wrong with solid wire and parts from the hardware store. I have done both, but the second option was not my idea, and I was being ordered to do so.
I have the first option in the shop now, with a 25' reach- works great. Avoid water.
I made an extension cord, then later bought one at Princess Auto, which is kind of the Canadian version of Harbour freight. It was a lot cheaper than the one I made up from the electrical supply store.
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/25-ft-pro-grip-stw-welding-extension-cord/A-p8313041e
That cord looks like the way to go. Pretty sure the NEMA 6-50 is the plug I installed. Have to double check. Off to google welder extension cords.
BAM eBay, paypal, 67.50 done.
NOHOME
PowerDork
3/20/16 9:29 a.m.
You can buy a MIG welding extension cord for less than what it will cost to make one. I have a 25' and 50' version.
When I NEEDED one, time was of the essence. So I wend to Home Despot and bought a shockingly expensive run of 4x8AWG cable, a box and dryer plug and receptacle. Later I added a pigtail to a 220 receptacle so I can run my plasma cutter with it as well.
QFT.
Larger gauge SO cord is quite expensive, not to mention the cost of the cord caps.
NOHOME wrote:
You can buy a MIG welding extension cord for less than what it will cost to make one. I have a 25' and 50' version.
Don't forget to check for RV and Generator extension cords as well. Generally you should be able to find one premade almost anywhere cheaper than the parts. At one point I got a good enough deal on a 25' cord rated for 50A that it was cheaper to buy it, two new stove cords, and a new outlet for the shop than it would have been to make one with the plugs I already had on the welder and plasma torch.
