welding at home

tommyboy26

So before i start i will admit i have no welding experience and i know very little about it.

I got a stick welder from a mate so i could try to learn to weld at home.

so i used it a couple of times for a few minutes each time with no issue. I was starting to get more comfortable with it and was using it for a longer period and the fuse in the extension lead blew. I was using a 2 meter standard home extension lead plugged into the mains.

i spoke to a few people and i was told i needed to get a 16 amp extension lead. I have looked on a good few websites and i can only find a 16A lead with a 3 pin socket rather than a standard plug. As this is only going to be used for hobby stuff i dont want to go and buy a transformer. I am sure there has to be a work around for this.

if anyone could help me that would be fantastic

Calahonda52

You are lucky so far.
Hobby use is irrelevant, you are risking a fire
You can get a 16A , blue IIRC, socket that the 16 Amp lead will plug into and then you will need to make sure the breaker on the consumer unit board is up to it.
You really need to get a sparks.

the_pen_turner

if you have a 16a cable with a 13a plug then the whole thing is a 13A.

get a spark to fit a 16S socket, aptopriate mcb etc and get a proper 16A cable

SuperTortoise

Welders don't work too well when run off of extension leads.