In this post my intent is to show you the original tutorial that I used to build my 70 amp arc welder (pictured left). I built it myself using Microwave Oven Transformers. I intend to build another one this year and will use these instructions again. Since the original site, aaawelder.com is offline, I utilized the Wayback Machine to find the content and make it searchable again. No copyright infringement is intended or desired.
Please note that this machine can be a bit on the dangerous side. If you’re wanting to weld on the cheap, there are many other options. Amazon has this welder for far less than you’d expect. It gets great reviews, and it’s a much faster/easier way to get welding. I purchased on myself rather than build another welder! Click the pic below to get more details about it. Be sure to read the reviews! 

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I am a veteran welder/fitter with 20+ years developing and applying my skills. I have worked in fab shops from the corn fields of Illinois to the ship yards of the deep south pitting my skills against world class welder/fitters. I built a 70 amp arc welder from microwave oven transformers to handle my small welding jobs, a micro welder if you will.

 

I tried a store bought 110 volt welder but, I could not get the rod to fuse the joints. The rod would melt into little balls and just lay on the workpiece not fused at all. I won’t mention a brand name, let’s just say I was disappointed.

The experience of building my own welder was rewarding as well as enlightening. Few things compare to building something that actually works, a test of skill and fortitude in which you come out the victor. It doesn’t get better than that. At AAAWelder , I seek to inspire and awaken the artist in all, at AAAWelder I say, “Yes we Can”.

WARNING!!!!!! Proceed with the construction of this device at your own risk! If you are not sure of proper procedure and safety precautions, DO NOT BUILD! The energy produced by this unit can kill you if you allow it. Be smart. Be safe. Be aware!

How I Built My 70 Amp Arc Welder

Step 1: GET THE TRANSFORMERS

There are several ways to do this. The method I chose was to call the Dept. of Sanitation and ask them to set several microwaves aside. When I told them what the project was, I got a few laughs and an O.K. Two weeks later, I had 6 microwave ovens. The 110v arc welding machine requires 2 transformers.

Step 2: STRIPPING THE UNITS

A word of caution here concerning the transformers: take care when removing the connectors from the primary coil (see Fig. 1). Sometimes the only thing that holds the coil ends in place is a piece of tape. Pulling or jerking could rip them free causing breakage or stress fractures in the magnet wire. Take the time to do it right. Remove the transformer. There are other things I remove as well: the cooling fan (you need 1 for the 110v welding machine), the power cord, the magnets from the magnetron (to be used in another project), and the wiring harness (wire from the harness can be used to run power to the transformers, cooling fan and on/off switch).

 

 

 

               

 

Step 3: Modify The Transformers: Phase 1

This is the make or break phase of this process. How and what you do from this point on will determine the results of your efforts. Programmers use a term that says it all: GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT! Take your time. Do it right. If you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated, stop, drop everything, go and get something cold, come back later.
The secondary coil in both transformers has to be removed. I will explain my way, you may have one better.

              

 

The tools I used to perform this step were a common hammer and a really sharp chisel. The width of the chisel was less than the width of the core slot. Clamp the transformer to a stationary object (table, bench, etc.) as shone in Fig. 2. Place the chisel at the start point of cut # 1 (Fig. 3). Cut through the coil by striking the chisel with the hammer until you reach the stop point, which should be completely through the thickness of the coil. Cut through any remaining strands left by your first cut. Remove the clamp. Turn the transformer 180 degrees and clamp (cut # 2 should be at the top now). Repeat the cuts at cut # 2 until that section of coil is free. Remove section (Fig. 3). If you cut into the primary coil, get another transformer, that one is history. Strap yourself in, now the real fun begins.

 

 

 

As you can see from fig. 4 and fig. 5, the remainder of the secondary coils must be completely removed, including the 3 turn filament winding. I solved this problem by finding a steel bar that could be driven into the core slots without jamming and have enough area on the face to push the coils out in one chunk instead of thousands of strands. Good luck!

Transformer Modification: Phase 2

If you enjoyed phase 1, keep your belt buckled, you’re going to love phase 2. This is where you get to rewind the secondary coils so that they will perform the way you want them to. The steps I describe in this phase are theory based on research and conclusions from my own experiments. I relate electron flow to that of water because they share the same characteristics. Everything you do to insure unimpeded current flow will get you the best performance from these transformers. With that in mind, let us proceed.
You need to determine, as best you can, the direction the primary coils are wound. Turn the transformers so that the connectors on the primaries are facing you. One will be going into the core (let’s call this the in put for sake of clarity) and, the other coming out (out put). The secondaries of both transformers will be wound with respect to their primary winding. This is an attempt to keep the transformers in phase  with each other.

 

 

 

If you find that the primary is wound clockwise, simply reverse the procedure in Fig. 7.

 

 

 

The first three rows should go smoothly. The forth may jerk some choice words out of you. I used a screwdriver with the spade taped over to pry gaps between the wire and the core. Your goal is 20 turns of #10 AWG stranded copper wire, insulated, 25 feet in length for each transformer. I reached 18 turns and my welder works fine. Once again, good luck!

By the time you’re done rewinding the secondary, you will have a new appreciation for the rewinders’ art. Your work may not be pretty at this stage but, I’ll bet they run like “scalded dogs”.

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Specs and Test

Soft-wire the transformers according to this simple schematic. You can hard-wire this unit after the arc welder is working properly.

 

 

 

Do not apply power to the circuit yet. Locate tag ends of the filament winding and cap, as much as 13 amps can spill out. Do not include yourself in this circuit; a blast through your heart can kill you. Think safety before you flip the switch. Tape the output wires to a non-conductive stationary object spaced a minimum of 4″ apart.

 

               This is a very good example of “taking no chances”. This welder was built by John Kelly who has locked down everything and left the business end for testing. Thanks John for the pics.

 

If you have followed the order of assembly, all that needs to be done here is to check the output voltage. With your voltmeter set to 50vac, turn the welder on, take a voltage reading, turn the welder off. If your lights are still on, you have passed the first test; no shorts. If the output read is not to specs, and reads approx. half, reverse wire the secondaries. If you hit the nail on the head, congratulations my friend, you now have a welding machine. Hard-wire your unit. No instruction for housing the unit is given here, that is a matter of choice, taste and individuality. I used the housing from an old radio transmitter I found at the dump. The housing from the microwaves can be cut and fashioned for this micro welder. The possibilities are endless.

Welding With The 70 Amp Arc Welder:

This welding machine burns the 1/16″ 6013 electrode with ease. The 3/32″ 6013 electrode burns slightly cold because I did not achieve the full 20 turns each. So strive to hit the target of 20/20. I lay down a hot shining bead with the 1/16″ 6013 electrode and if I want a built-up weld, I run a 2-cap with the 3/32″ 6013 electrode. For a more in-depth tutorial on welding with your new welder, check out some of the great welding books that are available.

Power:

Keep in mind that although this arc welder uses a 110vac source, this welding machine is cranking out some major amps. A 20 amp breaker may not be enough for continuous use. A 30 amp breaker would be better. It seems I can weld forever with the 1/16″ 6013 electrode, but the 3/32″ electrode causes trips when I weld too long. I hope this tutorial was instrumental in helping you to build a micro welder that can handle your welding jobs. I would like to hear about your success. If I overlooked something or did not clarify a point, I would like to hear about that too. If I can assist you at any step of the journey, please feel free to e-mail me.