Till I get the 200amp service change in the house, I cannot put my 100amp sub-panel in the garage. Thus, I will need to run an extension cord from the house.

I bought an outlet and plug from HD, and used 30’ of 6 gauge wire I had around the house. The 6 gauge is overkill, and is way too stiff to move around.

What gauge wire can I run will out having any amp 'draw' issues?

*EDIT*

There are two welders

#1 230 amp stick
#2 175 amp mig

12 gauge is fine for 20 amps, 10 is good for 30 amps. 8 gauge is good for 40 amps. mike

What is the voltage you are running ?
If 120v ... stick with the #6.

Can't answer that qustion until we know what kind of welder you have? Always remember this, the shorter the cord the smaller wire you can run. I have the same set-up at my house. The house has a 200 amp service that I ran an 100 amp sub-pannel in my shop. I have a 50 amp breaker just for the welder(s). I use number 1 wire to run from the main to the sub. I figured go big or do it again. I went to a electrical supply place and go the set-up.

There are two welders

#1 230 amp stick
#2 175 amp mig

Originally posted by 84xtracab
There are two welders

#1 230 amp stick
#2 175 amp mig

What voltage are the welders !

The cord on the Millermatic 175 seems to be 10 gauge and Requires 1-Phase Power 230 V, 19.5 A, 60 Hz

The stick welder is an older Sears unit having a home made 25' cord with a dryer plug (30 amp). I have yet to trip the breaker, but I think is should run on a 50 amp circuit like the others I have seen.

I made a 30' extention cord for my welders using #6 S.O. wire I got from HomeDepot. It's designed for extension cords and it's very flexible. Be warned- it's not cheap!

Don't know if this will help but I just built my garage and with the advice of an electrician freind we installed a 100 amp main panel in the garage and ran #3 lines to my main 100 amp panel in the house. We will feed it with a 50 amp breaker, but by installing the larger panel and wires I will be able to upgrade the service to the house later without replacing the components to the garage.

Hope this makes sense. Check with an electrician locally to be sure it meet code

I have made three of these and every time it was cheaper to go to an electrical supply store and get the wire than to go to Home Depot. The last time, I was able to get Home Depot to match the price - it was like 45 percent cheaper.

Get the thickest wire you can afford and don't make it longer than you need to. Even when you get the garage wired it will be handy now and then.

Can some one confirm that

10 guage 3 wire type S cord will do?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cruiserrg
[B]Don't know if this will help but I just built my garage and with the advice of an electrician freind we installed a 100 amp main panel in the garage and ran #3 lines to my main 100 amp panel in the house. We will feed it with a 50 amp breaker, but by installing the larger panel and wires I will be able to upgrade the service to the house later without replacing the components to the garage.

yes do this and just run the smaller breaker to feed the sub panel in the garage until you can get the 200 amp main installed.
then you can finish the garage interior.....