EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: t1d on September 11, 2021, 06:11:28 am
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I have a MIG welder that I never use. What else might I make out of it. I googled it and got z-e-r-o results.
Thanks for your help.
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I forgot to say that the welder is a 240VAC type. (It takes a little extra consideration to power it, as I live in a 120VAC world.) So, that may need to be considered in your suggestions. Thanks, again.
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Battery charger or heavy duty car starter come to mind
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If it's a dumb transformer based welder, it will work on 120V as is just at much reduced power.
An inverter type welder can be run from 120V by adding a pair of capacitors to turn the input into a voltage doubler. You'll have to make sure to not exceed the current limit of the 120V circuit.
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Is it a brand name or Harbor Freight variety? If brand name, sell it and buy something you will use. If HF, the sale price would likely be a lot less. Some brands of transformer-based units had 2 product lines: one for low cost stores (aluminum windings) and a better version with copper windings. Weight is an easy key to which you have. I have no experience with inverter-based welders.
You will probably need to add controls for charging batteries.
Another use (again with controls) is plating or electrolytic rust removal.
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All great suggestions, folks. Thanks!
- I had not thought of, nor seen, battery charger or jump starter DIY projects. I will research those.
- I had not thought of running it at 120VAC. That's an interesting point. The problem for me is not coming up with 240VAC, its my health. I just can't do that can of work, anymore. I took up electronics to keep my mind learning.
- Yep, it is a Harbor Freight brand and, as you say, that kills its value. Shame, too, as I haven't even used up the sample roll of wire that comes with it.
IIRC, it has lugs for the leads that could be easily accessed. I had wondered if I might tap off of those and make a jig for welding tabs onto small battery banks. But, I really don't work with batteries enough to warrant building the jig. And, small capacitor based tab welders are probably easier to build and use.
I am still thinking on it, so keep the ideas coming!
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I don't think it will work well for battery tabs. I tried a microwave transformer version. Too much heat. Then I went to a capacitor discharge spot welder, and it works fine.
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ive used them to zap nicad cells before to blow away the dendrites.