Shrink wrap for old ground welding cable or reuse/ recycle?

[H2o]

My ground on my shopmaster has outlived it life expectancy. Or the jacket anyway. The cable jacket is all cracked and you can see the copper when you bend it. a few areas have been fixed. Copper is in good shape. As this machine is for home use, I was hoping to keep this lead. I don't think it is very safe to use as is.

Does anyone know where i could get some flexible shrink wrap in a long roll (25' or so), or is this just a bad idea.

If it is a bad idea, then any good use for cable once it is junk, besides recycling?

[mongobird]

Shrink wrap (irradiated PVC) is not commonly available in long spools, although it may be for manufacturing applications. Worth searching a bit for.

At home I would think you could use it without insulation, but if you are concerned about snagging and things like that, you might use an old TIG torch sleeve.

Depending upon the use of it, you could also try a wire wrap, which might slip over it and give it some level of protection.

What is the gauge of the wire?

[eecervantes83]

I think I seen rolls at home depot in the electrical isle . Maybe 10ftlong ?

[cruizer]

Why not merely electrical tape it like every other welder I know...

[ryanjones2150]

Shrink wrap for old ground welding cable or reuse/ recycle?

Or replace it.

[mongobird]

Or replace it.

Replace an otherwise perfectly good cable???

If going the tape route, I would use cloth friction tape. But I would avoid tape because of thermally softening adhesive.

How about repurposing for the negative side of a jumper cable? Winter, remember winter?, is near.

[chewinggum]

Depending on what gauge your cable is, you might be able to find a length of air hose or other rubber hose and slip over the whole length. This is not a critical
or "unsafe" situation for a home welder. Too expensive to replace, many fixes available.
CG

[ryanjones2150]

Or replace it.

Replace an otherwise perfectly good cable???

If going the tape route, I would use cloth friction tape. But I would avoid tape because of thermally softening adhesive.

How about repurposing for the negative side of a jumper cable? Winter, remember winter?, is near.

Ya. He said he didn't feel
like it is very safe to use it as it sits. Replacement is an option.

[Sberry]

I have one kick around now has about 50 pieces of tape on it. I need to sort a bit, did some last fall. Get a new one a size up and 10 ft longer. I see Airgas has ready pak pieces on the shelf. A new one will last a long time inside.
I used old pieces for bonds and jumpers. A Y off the machine goes to a lead with a clamp and to benches and booth.

[aametalmaster]

Why not merely electrical tape it like every other welder I know...

Not legal in our shop or my last job in the refinery. Saw lots of good cable going in the hopper or home for jumper cables...Bob

[H80N]

Or replace it.

BINGO..!!!

wore out is wore out...

just my 2c worth...

[USMCPOP]

Electron Beam Technologies has good prices and special on welding cable.

https://www.facebook.com/Electron-Beam-Technologies-Inc-122082121139733/timeline/

1/0 cable for $1.37 a foot right now!

"EB-flex, standard welding cable. "Special of the Week, 38 for 2015: 1/0 (54 mm square) NEMA Class K, for BLACK $ 1.37 per foot. September 21 through September 25, 2015. Restrictions apply (minimum length 25'). Questions or to place your order,call "Customer Service" at 815-935-2211. "

[ryanjones2150]

Shrink wrap for old ground welding cable or reuse/ recycle?

That seems like a pretty reasonable price.

[Sberry]

Its good to wrap ones head around the cost. Its the difference and not the total so by the time you toss 20$ at some scheme could add another 20 could have got new and not had the work to save it.

[H2o]

Sorry for delay responding. Been busy weekend... away from the computer...

So it is a 2/0 wire, 35' worth. Nothing written on the jacket so had to figure it out. Turning it into a jumper cable is probably a safe bet. I was looking at wrapping, and other solutions, and most would not be worth it once you take into consideration the 35' length. The entire thing would need to be taped up.

If i can find some good shrink wrap, for not too much, then I might cut it in half and make some extensions. The hose idea is not a bad one. Though it might look a little hokey.