How to Add a Wire Feeder to a DC Welder

Beginning welders face a dilemma when choosing their first welders: stick or wire feed? Wire feed welders are very common among hobbyists, but they are limited in the thickness of metal they can handle. On the other hand, a DC arc welder is the perfect tool for structural welding, but it tends to burn holes in thin sheet metal. A MIG welder has a built-in DC power supply, but if you already have a DC arc welder you can simply add a wire feeder to your existing welder.

Things You'll Need

• Portable wire feeder
• Shielding gas cylinder, regulator and hose

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Disconnect the electrode cable from the welder. Connect the DC input cable from the wire feeder to the electrode output jack on the welder.

   • 2

     Plug the wire feeder into a 115-volt electrical outlet.

   • 3

     Screw the gas regulator onto the shielding gas cylinder. Connect the hose to the regulator and the gas inlet of the wire feeder.

   • 4

     Connect the ground cable from the arc welder to the work piece.