Montgomery ward arc welder

**AMGREENE** · 07-06-2008, 08:48 PM

Hi,
I am a student weldor, and a Montgomery Ward Power Kraft welder has come into my possession. I need some information on what the powersource should be.
The welder is a 230 amp, i dont know when it was made. i do have the model number for it and the no ttz. (what ever that means). I tried to look it up else where but have had no luck so far.
Any help would be appriceated.

**mudbug** · 07-06-2008, 08:54 PM

May have been made by Century for MW...You might find information thru Lincoln now or Century may still have info on it. Just something I read..no first hand info.

**Sberry** · 07-06-2008, 09:43 PM

It needs 50A service. Plug it in and go.

**AMGREENE** · 07-06-2008, 09:44 PM

50A service?

**hankj** · 07-06-2008, 09:47 PM

Yup. 240V, 50A.

You can run it on a 30-amp dryer outlet if one is handy, but it won't let you get much above 95 amps output before you trip the breaker.

Hank

**AMGREENE** · 07-06-2008, 10:14 PM

it draws 65.7 amps. Do you mean that i couldnt get above 90 amps if i hooked it up to a dryer line?

**AMGREENE** · 07-06-2008, 10:16 PM

what about generators?

**AMGREENE** · 07-06-2008, 10:32 PM

when its a 230 do i only have to run a 60A wire and breaker?

**Sberry** · 07-07-2008, 08:59 AM

A 60A would work fine, use a minimum of number 8 wire in your case. Forget a generator, way too costly. Your welder will run from the line for 10 cents an hr at idle and 50 while welding, cost a minimum 10 times that on a genset not including the cost of the unit and maintenance.

**smyrna5** · 07-07-2008, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by AMGREENE

it draws 65.7 amps. Do you mean that i couldnt get above 90 amps if i hooked it up to a dryer line?

I'd give it a shot and see what happens. The worst that should happen if it really pulls 67 amps is it will kick the breaker. I have run my Thunderbolt 230v AC/DC very close to flat out on both AC (225 A) and DC (150A) when I was playing with using it as a cutting torch. My breaker never complained.

**migwelder05** · 07-07-2008, 01:09 PM

[QUOTE=AMGREENE;329412]Hi,
I am a student weldor[/QUOTE

ha ha thats funny because i went into the lws to buy a new welding helment and the guy asked if im a student

know i said yeah im in school and he gave me 10% off

i relized he was asking if im in votech

**TOMWELDS2** · 07-07-2008, 04:28 PM

Montgomery Ward 100amp...my first welder!

**aametalmaster** · 07-07-2008, 09:19 PM

My buddy bought one new in the late 70's and it still works fine. I agree with it being made by Century...Bob

**Phantom_Sniper** · 07-12-2008, 09:12 PM

I have many welders in my shop and one of them is a Powr-Kraft 230 with an arc stabilizer for TIG as well. Most Wards welders were made under Lincoln. However you will not find out anything about these welders on the web. I suggest you try calling someone with Lincoln.
Also....Either wire up a new plug with 50amp wire and the right plug you need....or pull out the 30amp breacker for your dryer and put in a 50amp. It will work just fine unless your house is more than 40 years old in which case you may burn it down.
A good welder is also a "Jack of All Trades". I have had to be a carpenter, a scaffold builder, a boilermaker, a fitter, a mechanic , and even an electrician just to be able to weld on a piticular job.
Good Luck