120v home shop/garage upfitting

UTfball68

UTfball68

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Location
Granite Quarry
Been in my house for 2.5 years now, finally feel like tinkering on my own stuff at home again. Standard home garage set up, 120v at the wall outlets. Don't plan on upgrading primarily because 1) I'm an electrical dunce and would need to outsource and 2) I have other buildings that are 2/3 phase with corresponding tooling. So what I'm looking for is an air compressor and welder, but not sure what's out there that can 'push the upper limit' on 120v. For an air compressor, mainly hand tools, maybe some sanding, maybe some light painting/raptor lining. Welding, I'm a shitty welder to begin with, so something that could fix that would be great, but would also allow me to just do some engine mounts and some brackets to axles and other metal gluing activities. Anything out there that can make either of those happen, or do I just need to stick to only charging my Milwaukee batteries in my garage???
 
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At your local tractor supply. I can run my plasma cutter just fine, and I’m honestly surprised how quiet it is. Seemed to be the best bang for the buck. It’s in the back corner of my garage and you can have a conversation right next to it when it running. Sad part is my GF asked if I have to get it filled..... I haven’t laughed that hard in a while.
 
Are you wanting a multipurpose machine? I have the ESAB Rebel emp 215ic (stick, Mig and DC only tig) that is 120/220 and I have been very pleased. The Smart Mig function is very nice to have as the machine is constantly adjusting as I Mig weld to ensure the settings are optimal. I know Miller has the same type tech as likely others too.

I use the 29 gal HF compressor as I didn’t want to add another 220 plug for a 60+ gallon unit. It’s stated at 5.9cfm @ 90. I have 8 running hours so far on the motor and it has run my 30amp plasma well through a motor guard air filter.
29 gallon 2 HP 150 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor


I have switched my other air tools over to Milwaukee including their new M12 right angle die grinder which has been great.

Edit to add, from my research a few months ago, I could have gone to the 30 gallon Kobalt 120v compressor (highest compacity I found in 120v) or the next jump in 120v is to the Eastwood scroll compressor that gives outputs similar to what you’ll get from a 60gal tank. It’s a horizontal 30 gallon unit on wheels but super pricey.
 
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jeepcj3a said:
Are you wanting a multipurpose machine? I have the ESAB Rebel emp 215ic (stick, Mig and DC only tig) that is 120/220 and I have been very pleased. The Smart Mig function is very nice to have as the machine is constantly adjusting as I Mig weld to ensure the settings are optimal. I know Miller has the same type tech as likely others too.
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More than likely multipurpose. My primary concern with a 120v welder is metal thickness, think most of them cap at around 3/8...if I have some RA frame brackets I wanna buzz up, or weld the other end of those RA's to an axle, I'm not a good enough welder to know if I'm getting the job done. But that would be about the max expectation out of the machine.
 
Is your electrical panel in your garage? Or on the opposite side of the compound?
 
Get a few quotes to add a 220 welder outlet and a 220 compressor outlet. Depending on your current setup, the price may not be very much. I'd rather upgrade the current outlets, instead of buying a 120V welder and 120V compressor, then finding out they don't work well enough for your needs and finally putting in 220V outlets and re-purchasing the same equipment in a bigger flavor.

Sanders and sprayers can consume a lot of flow, and I'd get a 220V compressor just based on those two things that you've already mentioned.
 
If the panel is in the garage and has open lugs then it’s a no brainer to add two 220v outlets, or atleast one to get a 220v welder. You’re not welding over 3/16 I’m single pass with a 110v welder.
 
What they said. If the panel is in the same garage I'd add 2 240 circuits and go. Its not hard to add 2 breakers and outlets but if you're absolutely against doing home electric work yourself, In the grand scheme of things it's not that much more if you had to pay an electrician.
 
UTfball68 said:
In the garage...
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A decent bottle of bourbon and a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon and a I'll solve the problem for ya if you can wait a few weeks...
 
I've had the Klutch 140SI for almost 3yrs and it's a great 110 welder. 30% duty cycle, with .30 mig wire, it welds anything and everything you would need. I've done some big jobs and never kicked duty cycle either.
 
Ron said:
A decent bottle of bourbon and a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon and a I'll solve the problem for ya if you can wait a few weeks...
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Want to do another one in Concord on your way back to SC? My builder was supposed to put me a 220V 50amp circuit right underneath the panel and he f*cked that up.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Loganwayne said:
Us poor folk just have a washer and dryer in the garage
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Or turn the laundry room into a hall closet and put the washer dryer and water heater in the garage on purpose so when they inevitable bust it can leak all over the concrete floor and down the driveway. LOL had to replace the water heater a month ago.
 
Im curious what folks are getting estimates on these outlets for.

Licensed electrician myself, have put in quite a few welder outlets....

All things considered, what’s the hesitation for using a double pole breaker and a 240 outlet?
 
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