phildelfino

Just got a free welder. It's a "Made in Italy" Chicago Electric Utility Arc 1400. It's 110 volt and puts out between 30 and 100 amps.
Anybody heard of this unit?
Anybody have experience with it?
What kind of 110volt circuit do I need to run it ( amperage requirements )?

Thanks,
Phil

apalmer1

chicago electric is harbor freight brand. i would run it off of the highest amperage circuit you have.

saitotiktmdog

never used their welders but have had great success with the angle grinders. Got three of them.

algranger

nice find. that is known as a cheap brand but should do the job just fine cause theres not many working parts or anything that can go wrong on a stick welder. as was said before id just go for the highest available circuit and if possible dont use an extension cord, it reduces your amperage.. well unless you get a big ass one i have a big fat 50 footer for my welder thatworks pretty good it called Yellow Jacket

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Should be a name plate on the back of the welder with circuit requirements, likely 120 volts with 20 amp circuit. Be sure to get small diameter welding rods, probably 1/16" or 3/32" as I doubt that the more common 1/8" rods will work well, general rule of thumb is 1 amp per mil of rod diameter (so 1/8" = 0.125" or 125 mils or amps). I've only found the smaller welding rods at welding supply shops.

phildelfino

Thanks for the comments and tips. I am new to welding and didn't know they came in different diameters.

ryantowry_81

i have a little 80 amp chicago electric flux core wire feed and it has made many bumpers!!! even did decent up to 1/4" if you take you time and run a big bead. I have had mine for 2 years and gone thru 4 spools of wire and still working perfect. even took it out on the trail with a generator and ran it that way once worked good!

phildelfino

Cool to know... How big of a generator?