Welding Tips and Tricks

I just picked up a brand new Hobart Stickmate AC/DC stick welder. It comes with a 5 foot power cord, 10 foot ground clamp, and 15 foot electrode holder. To extend the reach it seems I have two choices. (1) Make up a 25 foot extension cord. (2) splice in 25 feet on the ground clamp and electrode holder. Is one of these methods preferable over the other? Or are both of these choices a "no no." Are there other ways to extend the reach?

Thanks for your help guys,

Don <><

Most would probably say do not use an extension cord. I would extend the two leads with a couple of tweco quick connects.

Extending the leads is preferable, but I've made and used extension cords without a problem,either. It has to be a heavy duty one.Don't adapt from a store bought "heavy duty" orange cord. Use at least 8/3 SO for 25 feet with heavy duty plugs to match whats on the welder. 6/3 SO would be a better choice. To be safe, the power cord on the welder should say what guage it is . Use that or a higher one as there won't be much dropoff over 25 feet.

Costwise, it would be cheaper to extend the leads.