About to build a fabrication shop

[farmboy weldor]

I was wondering how big should a small fabrication shop on a farm be and how many amps should i run into it if i want to run a couple of welders and lots of other fabrication tools, such as single phase ironworkers, and drill presses

I have a mm251, lincoln AC 225 stick welder , lincoln weld pak 100

[Sberry]

Its a complex question. It could run on as little as 200A or it could use 400. The cheapest way is 2 200's parallel from a 400A meter base. It really doesnt cost much more than 200, 1 more panel and a little wire. As for buildings,, as big as you can afford. I didnt see a location,, where you are from. Unless you are very familiar with building design it may pay to get in the car and look at a couple before you start. I am a small farmer by most standards but here is my shop.

[farmboy weldor]

thanks for the info, i was gonna run just 200, as for the size of the shop we're building the shop our selves, we're located in up state new york,

[Sberry]

200 will run a shop, go over to http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/index.php
Franz on this site lives right near you,, he is in Hilton. He is a crusty old fart but been in the biz a long time. Something I do when installing electric service is get right with the poco engineer and get it clear as to what the incoming wire is going to be,, they like to be skimpy, tell them,, this is a shop, I want to get 200 so up the wire size at leat 1

[Alex]

Farmboy,
Sberry is absolutely right. 200A will certainly suffice. But, another question is, how many of you will be using powered equipment at the same time? I think I would look at two or three of the biggest amp drawers, combine their amperage, consider the total wire run, and add in a "fudge factor". Your lady won't be too happy if you're firin' up five machines out in the shop and all of a sudden the television and the lights go out in the house. I remember my Dad's barn and how it sometimes sucked all the power from the pole.

Be cool,
Alex