Here is a link to some items I made a few years back
http://www.motherearthrecycling.net/welding/welding.htm

I would consider buying one, it might cost you less in the end and you can
just plug it in and not worry about cooking something you didn't want to.
"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
That transformer looks like it has pretty beefy secondaries already.
When you energize the primary and connect the secondary windings in
parallel, what do you get for an open circuit voltage?

Most guys who make welding transformers remove the secondary windings
and wind on a few turns of flat copper bar. If you want to convert
to DC you may have to spend some serious change to get a rectifier
beefy enough to handle the stress of striking an arc. Google for
the terms "welder" and "snubber circuit" or something.

And do NOT fall in love with your transformer. In my neighborhood
I see 225A AC welders for $50 several times a year, it would be a lot
easier for you to start with one of those.

GWE