220 volts source for the arc welder
220 Volt Source
After acquiring more than the necessary microwave ovens Paul turned his attention to a source of 220 volts. My electric range is plugged into the wall that separates the kitchen from the garage. Paul simply placed a 125 amp main lug load center in the garage side of the wall and tapped into the 220 volt source. He then ran a line to a 220 volt wall socket he installed in the garage.
Transformers
To power the arc welder Paul needs six transformers. At a cost of $5 for 33 microwaves, one transformer sets him back 15 cents. He dismantled his first microwave oven and extracted the transformer. Anyone need a used microwave oven? With school and work pressing in on him the rest of the transformers will have to wait.
The transformer on the right is all that is required
The 15 cent transformer
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Dreaming about making
I saw a video once where a guy used a couple of car batteries and wired them in sequence with jumper cables. Then he used a set of jumper cables for his ground and to hold the welding rod. It was pretty cool. From what I understand though, you have to be very good or you will burn through the piece you’re going to weld since there is no way to regulate the power output.