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Step 6Arc Stabilizer and Stinger
Thanks to readers who recommended putting an inductor in series, called an "arc stabilizer".
Zan and I made one from a transformer we scavenged from a dead microwave oven. We used this method to chop out the secondary and wind 20 turns of 10-guage wire, which is all that would fit.
We left the primary intact, it doesn't affect the function here. An inductor gives the current "momentum" to blast through bits of flux and rust that get in the way. The arc sputters a lot less, welding is easier, and the welds are better.
I got a great Indian-made stinger (electrode holder) for $6 from harborfreight and replaced one of the jumper cable clamps with that.
Then I welded some repairs on this very badly rusted boat trailer. Too pitted to grind clean very well. I used 1/8" 6011 rod at 36 volts and it was fabulous. I melted good deep welds into all that rusty metal. Very satisfying.
We've got a self-propelled welder!
Zan and I made one from a transformer we scavenged from a dead microwave oven. We used this method to chop out the secondary and wind 20 turns of 10-guage wire, which is all that would fit.
We left the primary intact, it doesn't affect the function here. An inductor gives the current "momentum" to blast through bits of flux and rust that get in the way. The arc sputters a lot less, welding is easier, and the welds are better.
I got a great Indian-made stinger (electrode holder) for $6 from harborfreight and replaced one of the jumper cable clamps with that.
Then I welded some repairs on this very badly rusted boat trailer. Too pitted to grind clean very well. I used 1/8" 6011 rod at 36 volts and it was fabulous. I melted good deep welds into all that rusty metal. Very satisfying.
We've got a self-propelled welder!
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Nov 3, 2011. 8:58 PMwtuck
says:
so I understand the wiring! What kind of amperage, and duty cycle will a microwave transformer take?
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Mar 4, 2009. 10:26 PMstumppuller71
says:
Can you please show a schematic on how to wire the microwave transformer to the battery welder? Where does the white wire come from? Thanks in advance!
Reply
Mar 9, 2009. 7:51 PMstumppuller71
says:
What I mean is, is the white wire just the second wire from the secondary that goes to the negative? Its a bad angle. And for some reason on my transformer my primary has four leads coming off of it, the two like this one but Ive got two others ....do I just cut the other two off? Thanks
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1
Jan 3, 2011. 7:18 AMPerfectPantaloons
says:
two of them are pwer input the other two are output
Reply
Mar 10, 2009. 9:18 AMstumppuller71
says:
Sorry I guess I should leave the question about the primary leads for the microwave welder Instructable as the primaries arent being used here, my bad.
Reply
Dec 17, 2009. 4:47 PMSkullking1323
says:
Question: i want to use an inductor for my battery welder, but i only have two microwave transformers and I'm using them to build an AC welder. is there any was to build an inductor out of other materials?
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Jun 15, 2010. 12:45 PMbobneumann
says:
see this: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5330
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