Harbor Freight Or What Is The Best Welding Extension Cord ?

Discussion on making your own welding extension cord v. buying one and which size should you use.

[baldwindigital]

For my welder I needed to adapt from an L6-50 to an L6-30 twist lock (it’s the dryer plug, that’s my only 220 option where I am at and it’s not very close by) The cool part: Instead of the metal outlet box build, I found that Forney makes a great female “portable cable outlet” part #58401- really well made and very water resistant. Super clean option. I used a 40 foot run of SOO 6/3 from “wire and cable your way” for $2.04 a foot to a Leviton 30a plug. (They have SOO 8/3 for $1.53 a foot as well). By comparison, adapters (no extension) sold on amazon are 60 bucks or more. This was obviously more money but it will outlive me certainly and it was low priced considering the primo cord. 😎 this way I am set and if my location changes I will change out the Leviton end as needed. Mostly just wanted to share the info on the Forney 50a female. I will keep southwire in mind when I need another cable, already built this monster. Thanks!

[martinjay]

Thanks for your review on this cable, just what I was looking for.

[redram]

Before I bought my rig, which came with an extension cord, I was planning on buying a 10ga extension cord, lop the 120v ends off and add 240v plug ends. Ten gauge extension cords are cheap and handle the amperage my 175 Millermatic flows

[alanbrown]

Gee, you took my thoughts, exactly, and put them in video! Great Review and Q&A session!

[hubertrobinson]

I agree with you some people will complain even if they get something for free I just made up a 60ft 10g extension cord for my little stick welder and a 20ft 10g whip I'd say this I connect to my Lincoln Ranger 240v outlet and I'm happy with it I got the 10g cord for free from y brother no idea why he was tossing them away and it cost me $125.00 dollars for the male and female ends the fifty amp plug for the welder was the most expensive at $85 dollars now I can run my little welder on 240v off the Lincoln when 110v isn't available or is only 15amps

[prow]

Ouch! Checked Amazon today and this same cord is $89.99....LGB
I agree with your thinking on this setup. I switch my thinking between 8ga and 10ga for a welding extension cord. I use 6ga in the walls for my 240V 50 amp service outlet. Thanks for the discussion.

[lizardking]

FYI - It will cost approx. 20 cents to light up that led for almost 5 years continuously. Based on a cost of 20 cents per KWH and a simple LED.

[jenstori]

I have a 120v 20amp MiG can I still use this 220v cord on regular home outlet?

[vanessatrane]

What extension cord gauge would be appropriate for a 110v 20-120 amp hand held arc welder ? Thanks all.

[tomharmon]

Wire Gauge is dictated by the breaker size. So b4 I'd suggest a wire size I do believe you might match the wire by breaker size. Correct?

[leonardorojas]

To pick the right extension cord for a welding machine, it's essential to know just how many amps its drawing when it's on and when it's actually welding at some amperage then at maximum amperage. If you don't know and understand that, you might be buying a thicker extension cord than you really need. Or on the contrary, even a 8AWG extension cord might not be enough. There are welding machines that work drawing 6500 watts, others 8500 and others even 12000 watts. Check yours first. Remember also, the longer the extension cord, the thicker it needs to be.
A discussion without having this in first place is really baseless.

[AntonioClaudioMichael]

south wire makes amazing welding extention cords i have a 25 foot one

[chappledesign]

I bought this cord today (actually before seeing this video) and will put a NEMA 10-30P on the plug end. I also ordered a 200w TIG machine which is an inverter type. I was told by the company that running extensions cords can reduce amperage by 1/2 amp per foot! Maybe this is because of the inversion process? Anyways I hope to be able to use all 25' of this cord and was wondering is all goes well, can you add additional cords on for more footage or does the junction cause a degradation "heat" spot in the electrical run? My 220v breaker is 30 amps btw.

[margaretgauthier]

talking about the cord for 10 min? this guy can talk!!! lol. great review!

[petersack]

Hi. Here is a good indication, of what is REQUIRED

[Thedudeabides]

Wiring my shop with four 50 amp plugs using 6/2 wire. I wonder about daisy chaining the outlets, or maybe daisy chain two. I KNOW THIS IS NOT ADVISED, but I’m wondering if anyone has done it. I will never use two outlets at once, just want options for my welder around the shop. I just hate to have 4 50amp breakers and buying $1000 in 6/2 wire.

[tobywilliams]

I bought a 50’ 8 gauge from Bad Ass Extension Cords. I can tell you that it is a very nice cord.

[jimenex]

Would it work well with a Lincoln electric mig 180? My breaker is dual pole 30s, I'll be using my dryer outlet.

[johnhershey]

Can you use it as a Dryer cord or a Range stove.

[mikewinburn]

can i plug the male end into a 20 AMP outlet?