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Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Should I upgrade my ground cable?
- - By BigBlock Date 09-02-2005 21:11
I have a cheap wire feed welder from Harbor Freight. I know it's crap, but it gets the job done for me. I have noticed that not only is the ground clamp very poor qaulity, but the cable it is attached to is very small, and gets quite warm with use.

Would it be worth the trouble for me to replace that cable with a peice of 4 gauge and a better clamp? Would it improve my welds?
Parent - By supermechanic (**) Date 09-02-2005 23:32


Heat is energy, if it is in the cable, that much less is available for the weld.
Can't really give you a solid number to work with, but say 15% was going away as heat.
If this loss was reversed, that 15% will now be able to be used for welding.
I'd change the cable and clamp, if for no better reason than I don't like waste.
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Should I upgrade my ground cable?

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