rbig

Well, I found out I could get material from the guys who made my ICD. I'll certainly now do this. I'll come back and post whatever stands out as good advice they give. Although my welding is for hobby and work projects around the place, it would certainly be disheartening to someone whose done this as main occupation for years. Ianinsa: sounds like you maybe had to put new inverter boards in several of your inverters........ I can sure see how staying clear of high freq generators (tig welders) would be good.

This is kind of an "off the wall" question. I have welded, off and on, for years. Recently, I got an ICD chest device after a heart attack. They say " don't have MRI, done, or be around large magnetic fields. They say strong, magnetic fields can turn the device off. This is a concern. My question is on cracker box (AC) arc welding. I think there is one place where you have strong, magnetic fields: around the transformer windings, when you strike or release an arc. I can see not being up close to the trasformer, at all. I wonder if there's any strong magnetic fields around where the arc strickes and releases (take the cable some distance away from the machine, and weld a bit remotely). I'd sure like to know if using the stinger produces any strong, magnetic fields or not.

On going to a 30amp 220vac breaker, no problem at all. Just diddling around trying to get a scope on sizes of things. Sounds like a good 30amp circuit will run me fine. I normally weld at approx 100 amps, some rare times up to 130 amps. Pretty thick plates at 130 amps. Thanks for the replies.

The old cobwebs have gotten hold of me again....... stuff you knew, at one time, but easily forgot: I have a 220vac welder, AC. Just an old cracker box machine, 230amp. What is max amp draw at 220vac it may pull? Would a 15amp circuit handle it OK? Most I normally ever use is around 130amp, mostly 100 amp.

Need some engineering advice. I am going to try and build something that will do the following: be a stand for a vise. The vise is going to have to rest on lightly uneven ground. It will weigh 100lb (45.5kg). I will be able to move it on occasions. I'd like to see if maybe a tripod will do: * the stand for the vise will be made of 1/2" plate (probably 12" x 12") * the vise stand should base height should be at 40" above ground * each leg of the vise will be 2" schedule 40 galvanized pipe. * the feet will be cross drilled holes at bottom, and have maybe 5" circular pads * the vise base should be mounted to where the vise itself is aligned with the back leg of the tripod (this will split the diference between the two front legs.). The vise itself will not be used to handle real heavy objects. It's just a good old vice, and will be a good holder and anvil. It's one of those deals where I picked it up years back, and am now getting ready to use it.