View Full Version : Will Wirefeeder work with ac/dc stick welder
tynwood
09-17-2002, 10:58 PM
Am looking at buying a used mig wirefeeder can I use the DC side of my hobart ac/dc stick welder as a power supply? just curious and trying to save some money
Mike Sherman
09-18-2002, 04:57 AM
Probably not. GMAW requires a Constant Voltage power supply and your DC SMAW machine is a Constant Current source.
steelhanger
09-18-2002, 06:04 AM
tynwood; mike's answer, although technically correct, is some what misleading. add on feeders can be had which are voltage sensing, this means that the wire speed adjusts itself to the burn -off rate of the wire. what this means to you is that a controler is needed for the mig gun, or a unit with the control built in is needed. the hobart hefty( now made by thermal arc), and the lincoln ln 25 are two examples of the built in type. Of the external controler type , the miller 30-a spool gun is available with the 115a controler, which has a voltage sensing connection.
bottom line , up to $2000 for the built in feeder, about $1500 for the spoolgun with the controler. no free lunch.:( :( :(
Mike Sherman
09-18-2002, 06:34 AM
Steelhanger is correct, again technically. I own several Lincoln Electric LN-25 machines and yes they do claim to operate on constant current. My personal opinion is that they are exagerating their claims somewhat. The quality of operation and the degree of difficulty involved with that setup is not worth the effort and I would never suggest someone spend money in that direction. Of course this is just my opinion and obviously someone is operating these "suitcase welders" on constant current. It just isn't me.
Hobart Expert Rock
09-18-2002, 08:50 AM
TYNEWOOD........WELL I OWN 3 HEFTY FEEDERS AND ONE S32P MILLER FEEDER.......ALL ARE VOLTAGE SENSING FEEDERS, ALL RUN ON ENGINE DRIVES, AND ALL ARE EITHER CONSTANT CURRENT OR CONSTANT VOLTAGE.......... JUST FLIP THE SWITCH INSIDE FROM CC TO CV........ THEY ALL HAVE A PLACE AND A NITCH THEY SUFFICE..............HOWEVER IN THE SHOP I USE A STANDARD CV FEEDER ON TOP OF A STANDARD CV POWER SUPPLY........ AND YES IN A PINCH I WOULD USE A VOLTAGE SENSING FEEDER INSIDE THE SHOP AND HAVE DONE SO BEFORE............. THEY'RE KINDA LIKE MOTOR CYCLES I WOULDN'T RIDE MY OLD 1949EL ON A ROAD TRIP........BUT I WOULD RIDE MY 1977 DRESSER ON A ROAD TRIP.................... NEED MORE TOYS.......... BE SAFE.......... ROCK .. SSCOTT@MILLERWELDS.COM
Mike Sherman
09-18-2002, 11:29 AM
Rock, I purchased and should actually receive my 2003, 100th anniversary edition Silver and Black "ULTRA CLASSIC" in October. Now if I could just sell that Honda....
Mike, what is a "utra Classic"?
Mike Sherman
09-18-2002, 12:21 PM
ULTRA CLASSIC is the fully dressed Harley Davidson. My wife calls it the "RV" or the "old folks bike". She actually likes my Honda Shadow better. Strange, isn't she?
Hobart Expert Rock
09-18-2002, 12:29 PM
MIKE................. WELL I HAVEN'T PURCHASED A NEW BIKE IN A LONG TIME. ACTUALL THE 77 WAS THE LAST NEW BIKE..... I KINDA GOT INTO THE OLD FUNKY STUFF............ LOOKED AT A SIDE HACK MONDAY FOR ONE OF MY OLD BIKES............MY WAS IT PRICIE... BUT EVERY PIECE EXCEPT THE STEP WAS THERE.............ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS ORDERED HIS 3 YEARS AGO WHEN YOU HAD TO WAIT 2 YEARS TO GET A NEW BIKE.........HE WANTED THE 100TH YEAR ONE HISSELF............HOGWILD..............BE SAFE.........REMEMBER RIDE LIKE EVERYONE IS TRYING TO KILL YOU BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE YA...............ROCK
SSCOTT@MILLERWELDS.COM
Mike Sherman
09-18-2002, 12:32 PM
If I have done this properly attached is a picture of my new bike. If I haven't, sorry.
I thought you were talking about some special welding machine? duh
harold
09-19-2002, 12:16 PM
Geat looking bike Mike. I haven't been on one of those in over 40 years. Used to ride a big INDIAN TWIN.
Harold
Hobart Expert Rock
09-19-2002, 12:49 PM
HI HAROLD........GOT ANY OF THOSE OLD INDIAN PARTS LAYING AROUND................?.................ROCK......
harold
09-20-2002, 02:08 PM
No Rock but sure wish I did. My dad got rid of it all some where around 1956, 57. I also had a small indian checke that I learned on. but as I recall it had a bad engine and was parked behind the barn. Oh well
Harold
Rocky D
09-21-2002, 12:38 PM
Originally posted by Mike Sherman
If I have done this properly attached is a picture of my new bike. If I haven't, sorry.
Now, that's my kinda bike!!
Mike Sherman
09-21-2002, 02:29 PM
Glad you like it Rocky, I ordered it in May, I will take delivery the end of October!!
Originally posted by Mike Sherman
If I have done this properly attached is a picture of my new bike. If I haven't, sorry.
Niiiice, but make mine a Softail Deuce.
Ed Heimbach
10-20-2002, 03:31 PM
I was looking through some old posts, thought I'd add something.
I tried using my ln-25 feeder on my pipeliner (CC only), I have no idea where the folks at Lincoln came up with the idea that this machine could be used with a stick welder.
Only thing I found this set up good for was spray transfer on heavy plate, I found I could single pass open butt with backer on 3/4 " MS .
steelhanger
10-23-2002, 06:37 AM
Ed , I'd like to see what kind of quality you are getting with a single pass. Did you cut any coupons ?
Hobart Expert Rock
10-31-2002, 01:49 PM
OK MIKE SHERMAN.............IT IS THE END OF OCTOBER AND I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU ON HERE MUCH....... HAVE YOU BEEN SPENDING ALL YOUR FREE TIME ON THAT SLED AND NOT ANSWERING QUESTIONS HERE........... NEED TO KNOW HOW THAT NEW RIDE IS PUTTING ALONG........................RIDE SAFE OUT THERE..........................ROCK
SSCOTT@MILLERWELDS.OCM
Mike Sherman
11-01-2002, 02:45 PM
Sorry Rock, I have been busy earning my keep. The bike actually just arrived at the dealers yesterday. I stopped by to drool over it while they were prepping it. I should take posession of it next week. I haven't really seen that many posts that require my opinion lately. You guys seem to have it covered pretty well. I took a week off to attend a CWI seminar and take the test, then I took a small vacation and now I am just kind of buried. I am so busy out here in Northeast Ohio what with this bad economy and all. If it ever recovers I will really be in trouble. I have been checking in occasionally, but I feel if I don't have time to answer something completely I shouldn't answer at all. Well, take care.
Mike,
you will have to post some pictures of your new HD when you pick it up, or did you take pictures of them preping it :) anyway, would be neat to see some when you get it. Happy biking
harold
11-03-2002, 10:26 AM
Mike glad to see you are OK. Your absents was certainly noticed by many and your presents and knowledgable comments missed. Happy welding. Harold
Rocky D
11-03-2002, 01:42 PM
Originally posted by Mike Sherman
Sorry Rock, I have been busy earning my keep. The bike actually just arrived at the dealers yesterday. I stopped by to drool over it while they were prepping it. I should take posession of it next week. I haven't really seen that many posts that require my opinion lately. You guys seem to have it covered pretty well. I took a week off to attend a CWI seminar and take the test, then I took a small vacation and now I am just kind of buried. I am so busy out here in Northeast Ohio what with this bad economy and all. If it ever recovers I will really be in trouble. I have been checking in occasionally, but I feel if I don't have time to answer something completely I shouldn't answer at all. Well, take care.
Did you pass the test?????! :confused: