welder cables

NEKS · May 11, 2013

The rubber insulation is coming off my Forney welding cables. It must be because of age. Bought this welder new in 1961. It never gets used that much, but it is handy. The wireing is good, need to reinsulate cables some how. is there such a product.

oldabe30 · May 11, 2013

On small places we use heat shrink.
Derek

Bret4207 · May 11, 2013

You can do like we did years back and use lots and lots friction or electrical tape. Makes the cable pretty stiff. If they're that old it might be time for new. Sell the old ones for scrap and you'll get part of your money back.

Anonymous-0 · May 11, 2013

Got lucky a few years back. Bought 40' of new cable on yard sale for cheap. Scrapped old cable and got $10. more than I paid for the new.

js305 · May 11, 2013

Just a thought: If you don't need a long set of cables, what do you think of buying a set of booster cables and cutting them up? Just make sure the gauge is what you want (not the 8 gauge HB stuff). I haven't done this myself so it may not work so good in all cases. I have seen 4 gauge 20 ft sets at Wally World for not a lot of money.

old · May 11, 2013

I have the same problem with my old portable welder. I have used tape on the leads which holds up for a while but have been thinking about trying heater hose but just have not got around to it yet. But both leads are around 50 foot so the cost maybe a bit high

Anonymous-0 · May 11, 2013

You can buy welding cable by the foot. The good
booster cables are made with welding cable and will
cost more than just buying welding cable. 4 gauge is
too small. The cheap booster cables aren't flexible
and the covering will be cracked in no time. Most
people just tape up cracked cables but maybe brush
on electrical tape would would work? It's a liquid
rubber than comes in a small can.

bill b va · May 11, 2013

have you thougt about the plastic tubing you can buy at hardware stores , lowes and othe places ? years ago they used somthing similar on insulated aircraft wiring . called it spagetti .

Dusty MI · May 11, 2013

I think I would look at heat shrink tubing. I just did a google search, it comes in many diameters and lengths , there was some on a 50' spool.

Dusty

RodinNS · May 12, 2013

If it was mine... and it was small areas that were cracked... I'd paint over it with brush on electrical tape or tire bead sealer. It's the same product. Paint that on for a seal. Then tape over it to strengthen the remaining insulation. Then paint sealer on again to keep moisture out.
If the entire cable is bad/cracked... just replace it with like cable from a welding supply store. 2/0 cable is something like 3 bucks a foot.

Rod

Chris(WA) · May 12, 2013

Shove the cable thru an old water hose. Better than nothing!

welder cables

NEKS

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oldabe30

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Bret4207

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Anonymous-0

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js305

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old

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Anonymous-0

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bill b va

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Dusty MI

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RodinNS

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Chris(WA)

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