Outlined below are five top tips to consider if you are planning on buying a welder or welding machine.
1: Which welding process do you prefer?
The four most-popular welding processes are MIG welding, TIG welding, Stick Welding, and Flux cored arc welding.
- MIG welding machines are easy-to-use, work quickly, and provide an extended arc time.
- TIG welding machines are the preferred choice for mounting/fixing objects to a surface and produce only minimal sparks.
- Stick welding machines are versatile, cost-efficient, and use flux-coated welding rods rather than bottled shielding gas.
- Flux cored arc welding machines utilise a continuous wire-fed electrode. They are suitable for cast iron, carbon steels, and surface alloys – but not for nonferrous metals.
2: Power supply
Consider the power supply that you have available – be it at home or in your workshop/factory. Some welding machines can be plugged into standard outlets but others may need a special power supply that runs off a different circuit.
3: Weight and size
Does the machine need to be moved around or transported? If so, then you will want to opt for something lightweight. If the machine is going to be permanently in one place such as a workshop, this is less of an issue.
4: Material types
Different types of welding machines are better-suited to different types of materials. For example, both MIG and Stick welding machines are suitable for use with steel, whilst TIG machines are better for aluminium.
Thermal plasma spray experts
If you are interested in thermal plasma spray coatings, there are a number of companies, such as Poeton and others, who specialise in these.
5: Material thickness
TIG welding machines are better-suited to thinner materials, whilst MIG or Stick machines can handle thicker materials more effectively.
For thicker materials, a welding machine with 200+ amps and a duty cycle of 60% or more would be recommended. For lighter repair work, anything above 130 amps with a duty cycle of more than 20% should suffice.
