Home made Microwave Oven Transformer (MOT) stick welder. I based my design on the welder by Randy Gross. (Homemade 70-Amp Arc Welder) It looks like Randy's web site is gone now but my welder lives on. This welder is made from two transformers from old microwave ovens. The transformer secondary coils were rewound, to achieve welding voltage, with 10 AWG solid copper wire. I included a fan from one of the microwaves for cooling.
Input: 120V, 20 Amp
Open circuit voltage: 40 Volts
Welding current: 73 Amps
Rewound transformer secondary coils with 10 AWG solid copper wire.
Welds best with 5/64 welding rod
Home made Microwave Oven Transformer (MOT) stick welder. I based my design on the welder by Daniel B. Hartman (Dan's Workshop). This welder is made from four transformers from old microwave ovens. The transformer secondary coils were rewound, to achieve welding voltage, with 6 AWG solid copper wire. I included two fans from one of the microwaves for cooling.
Input: 220V, ~25 Amp
Open circuit voltage: 47 Volts
Welding current: 170 Amps
Rewound transformer secondary coils with 6 AWG stranded copper wire.
My Modifications:
- I wired two of the extra pins on the back of the e-stop button for EMC2 e-stop. Now when I hit the X3 e-stop the motor stops and the EMC2 controller stops (as it should be).
- Double ballscrew on the X-axis
- I added a gas spring from
McMaster Carr.
(not shown in the picture)
1x...9416K54 Gas Spring with Threaded Ends, 29.33 inch Extended Length, 13.77 inch Stroke, 100 lb Force
2x...9416K79 10 mm Ball Socket, M8 Thread, Steel for, Gas Spring with Threaded Ends
2x...9512K73 Ball Mounting Hardware, 10 mm Zinc-Plated-Steel Ball Stud with 5/16-18 Male Thread
- I built a silicone extruder that can be mounted to the head (not shown in the picture)
- I made a mount for my router so I can cut wood more efficiently. The mount is pictured to the left. It is an aluminum casting.
