welding question

[dumbucket1]

can you use a extension cord on a 120v mig? Goofy me I have my project truck on the side of the garage with no outlets. I've been practice welding on a scrap hood and I think I have it down enough to start my floors, cab corners, and rockers on my 84 gmc. Thanks

[Redneckchevy]

Sure you can....Just dont go over bored with  one that is longer then u need....Make sure its a dedicated circuit and the cord is of heavy gage i do it all the time..

[Blazin]

If it welds crappy or trips the breaker you know you will need a heavier cord.

[werewolfx13]

I've got some good cable I use for running my air compressor, its 50 amp 120v RV cord, 10/3 w/o ground, VERY flexible..if you can find it, thats the good stuff. It usually runs about $4.50-6.50/foot at a retailer though. A normal 12 ga extension cord no longer than 50 feet should be fine though..I ran a little 70 amp stick welder on one for one repair.

[Bitzer!]

like the other guys say- quality cable counts. Just make sure that if its on a reel make sure its unwound so it can "breathe" and not get too hot and melt together. I can assure you it can happen!!

[werewolfx13]

Yeah, that can happen if you use a normal extension cord. Any 120v piece of equipment won't melt the jacket of that 10/3 RV cord even tightly wound..Your house wiring, outlet, and breaker would overheat LONG before the insulation of that cable will even get lukewarm to the touch. The one problem did occur to me a couple days after mentioning it in the first place..its REALLY bulky and heavy..the outter jacket is about 1" diameter, and it coils like a big garden hose, but weighs a lot more.