Build a Microwave Transformer Homemade Stick/Arc Welder

Step 8 Weld

holy cow, it works!

We wanted to add a series inductor to give the unit more "inertia", but it didn't matter!

Here's Tim welding with some of those.

Built your welder, but not sure how to weld? Check out the instructional videos on youtube - search "how to arc weld". They're very good.

Here's Star striking an arc.
It welds great with these thin 1/16" 6013 rods. Even better with 3/32" 6013 rods.

Comments

[autophile]

Could this thing weld, say, two pieces of 0.25-inch aluminum square bar together? I'm not sure if aluminum can be arc welded...

[batvans46]

i know its a bit late to help you but for anyone who stumbles across this, theres a product called "alumi-weld" and it and variations of it can be found at discount hardware stores like harbor freight. its basically an electrode but you use a butane torch to do the welding. stick in one hand, torch in the other, pretty simple really. does a good job but i wouldnt use it on anything that carries a heavy load. i dont load my alumiweld-ed joints more than 30 pounds and its fine.

[Meralain]

 Aluminum can be welded with stick, but only with DC voltage.  The process is slightly different than steel in that aluminum must be preheated to 4-500 F before attempting to weld.  To make one of these microwave welders DC you have to find some very large diodes--4 of them--and then install several very large caps to iron out the voltage spikes, along with inductors.  Better off to get a real DC welder like a Miller 225 and burn aluminum that way!

[double_g]

I'm not sure if it works to well, but I have seen aluminum arc welding rod for sale. Therefore it should be possible.

[applegeek]

Are 1/8" rods too big for this welder? Also, what duty cycle would you recommend?

[h3x_your_nightmare]

that's a cool instructable :) my grandpa,here in romania, has a home made welder but it's 50 times bigger and heavy than this:D oh, and it's eating too many kWh :)) and because of heat i need to repair the wall sockets every 2months :D

[chad2.o]

when i test the transformer is it suppose to get hot because when i test it the primary gets really hot

[pyromadness]

this is to anyone whos made this welder for uk 230v mains. How many amps does it draw? (max 13 for me) and is there are fuse in the plug to the wall? (or will it just keep blowin?) TY

[classiczippo]

i made one a few days ago its pretty sweet but i moded the vice grip  insted of holding the wire in the jaws i took another welder and just welded the wire to the vice grips now me rod dont fall out like it did befor and idk y it cap falling out

[sthealthraider]

what rod ur using?

[maxpower49]

could you modify a jumper cable to hold the welder rod and be the ground

[greatpanda]

hmm...like hard wiring one end to the welder? why not? I think this is more about found materials, so if you've got one laying around... no mod necessary for the clamps, use 'em as is!

[bgineat]

It would be a better thing to have the rod attached to something other than a vice grip and insulated itself instead of relying on an insulated glove for protection. nice setup though.