Ready Welder?

Google advanced groups search this group. You'll get a better idea of what they are good at. Anything Ernie likes can't be too bad.

Google is your friend on this one.

Peter

Sure, thousands of hits on Google, but no one listing any personal experiences with it.

Google Groups are blocked here at work because they are considered "Message Boards and Chat Groups."

So I ask again, "Does anyone have any experience with a Ready Welder?"

I meant Google Groups as the previous poster did. While not common, a fair number of folks have a Ready Welder and like them. For more specific info, find yourself a machine that lets you access Google Groups.

Peter

Yup. Did my weight bench with one, powered from a Dynasty 200 DX. It took a while to get the hang of it, but it made the best looking welds I've ever made (beginner hobbyist talking here). You really need to do the Google Groups on this usenet group and rec.crafts.metalworking. Maybe you have access someplace other than work.

Pete Keillor

Yes, lots. I have had one for many years now, and I love it very much. I have run it from every possible kind of welding power source, and it always just plain works.

They do have a learning curve to them. If you run it from a Constant Current power source, like a Stick welder or a TIG, then you have to be very careful about your wire stick-out distance.

Constant Voltage power sources are more forgiving.

I have run steel, stainless steel, silicon bronze, aluminum, self-shielded flux-core (inner shield), and gas-shielded flux-core (dual shield)

I was lucky to borrow one on the Rubicon Trail and repair my axle housing, then bought one on Ebay. You have to dance with it a bit to get the heat/speed right, but it works. I wont be selling my mig machine.

I've got a little Lincoln Ranger 8, and I'd like to use the Ready Welder as a spool gun for some of those jobs where I need to lay down a *lot* of steel or when the occasional aluminum job rolls around.

From what I've found on the Ready Welder, it wants me to set the DC voltage between 18VDC and 24VDC.

How would I do that with the Ranger 8? It has a range selector and a ammeter gauge - that's it! :)

"jp2express" wrote:

Ernie,

Can you give me some info on the transformer that you have for the Ready Welder?

I know it is needed to provide DC voltage to the electronics. The Ready Welder website says it is a "AC to DC 24V," but does not say how much power it needs.

I have tried to buy from Ready Welder, but they never answer their phone. I have left 3 messages over 3 days, and no one has called back yet.

I can get a little transformer from Radio Shack, but I don't know what size I need.

Could you look at yours and let me know what the specs on it are? They should be written on the plug.

Also, are the wire spools used for the gun standardized, or will I need to go through Ready Welder to buy them?

Thanks! Joe

"Ernie Leimkuhler" wrote:

Are you trying to save a few bucks? The transformer can't cost all that much from Readywelder. It is bigger than any transformers I have seen at Radio Shack lately.

I ordered mine through Central Welding supply in Seattle. There are a few dealers on eBay that seem to have low prices.

The wire spools are standard 2 lb. spoolgun spools.

2 lbs of steel wire, 1 lb of aluminum wire per spool. You can buy a lot of filler metals on spools already. I spool my own for stuff like dual shield wire.

The transformer is not necessary if you are using car batteries as your power source.

The power supply really just powers the wire feed motor.

I'm not going to operate the Ready Welder off of a car battery - ever!

I already have a welding machine, and I bought this unit just to be a spool gun. Purchasing two deep cell marine batteries that I would continually have to keep charged just to operate a spool gun seems ridiculous when I have a welding unit sitting on the back of the truck.

Like I said, I'd love to buy something through Ready Welder, but they never answer their phone. I leave messages, but they never call me back. So, it doesn't matter how expensive or cheap products are from Ready Welder if I can't buy from them.

Also, I realize that other places (like Central Welding Supply and eBay dealers) sell transformers that will work for the Ready Welder's electronics, but they sell all kinds of transformers. Their transformers do not say "this is for a Ready Welder." Instead, I need to know the specs of the transformer. That is why I asked you what size the transformer is. All the Ready Welder website says is that it is a "AC to DC 24V." To purchase the proper transformer, I also need to know how much power it needs, either in Watts or in Current (Amps or milliamps).

Could you, or any>

You haven't said what type of welding machine you have, but Ready Welder makes a model that will hook up to your box with no extras needed. Mine will hook up to a MIG or TIG/Stick machine as well as batteries. You won't need to buy an extra tranformer unless I'm missing something.

Peter

Sounds like I might not even need the extra transformer.

For the record, in message news:l1Rdi.41074$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net, I mentioned my welder:

The L>

Put the welder in constant voltage mode and put a volt meter on the leads. If they don't go over 36 volts you can just run the Ready Welder off the leads. If they do then you'll need the transformer (it definitely will go over that in constant current mode).

OK LET ME CLARIFY There are several dealers on eBAy WHO SELL READYWELDERS!!!!

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY DIRECT. I BOUGHT MY READYWELDER THROUGH CENTRAL WELDING.

Any welding supplier can order them for you.

THE TRANSFORMER IS PART OF THE STANDARD PACKAGE FOR THE 10250 MODEL that I have.

I hate shouting, but sheesh.

I guess I meant that other than telling us exactly what type of machine you have, you haven't told us what machine you have... ;) Anyhow, I don't think you need anything other than what comes with the RW.

Peter

Ernie,

I hate that I'm irritating you, but all I want to know is the details about the transformer.

I've been asking you to tell me how much current the transformer is rated at.

Any transformer that converts AC to DC 24V would work as long as it does not send too much current.

You keep telling me to go find a Ready Welder dealer.

I don't need a dealer; if I have the specs for the transformer, I can get any old transformer at Radio Shack.

That's all I've been saying.

Do you understand what I've been asking?

So far, you are the only one I know with one of these transformers. If you would look at the plug, there will be a little sticker on it that shows what the DC voltage is and the current output. I've been trying to get you to look at the plug to let me know what it says, but instead you keep trying to shove a factory unit on me.

Don't worry about it, Ernie. I won't bother you anymore about this because I don't know how to explain it any clearer than that.

Sorry for the trouble, Joe

Transformers do NOT convert AC to DC. They step AC voltages up or down. They dont work on DC at all

I suspect you are already over your head.

Shrug

Gunner

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Sure. But I bought a similar adapter recently, and paid about $15 used. The one you want with the right connectors and adapters is $25 new from the factory.

Perhaps, but they have limited selection and high prices. Try these places as well.

The generic term is "desktop power supply".

BTW, how much can you save by buying the adapter separately? It seems to come with the gun based on every ad I've seen.

Wayne