How to Select Your First Welder?
"No one welder is perfect for all applications." This is something that even competing welding companies agree on. There are many factors to consider when selecting your first welder, so why not start at the source.
How to Select Your First Welder: Know your Material
Welding is all about heat, and to get things hot, you need power. The thicker the material is, the deeper the heat has to penetrate to create a solid weld. So you need a lot more power to penetrate 1/2" steel than you do 1/8" steel.
You also need to be versed at least in a cursory fashion in your metallurgy (know the basic properties of the metals that you will be welding) because not all welder settings work for all metal types.
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For example, welding aluminum requires a different setup and settings than welding steel. So, if you plan on welding a variety of different metals then you need to know that your welder has settings to handle each metal type.
Stick Machine to Start or a Wire Feed?
Straight from Lincoln Electric:
"Wire feed welding (also referred to as wire welding) offers a number of benefits. First, it provides higher productivity efficiency over stick since the wire is fed in a continuous process and you don't have to constantly change stick electrode rods as you are welding. Second, wire welding has a lower skill level requirement and can be picked up more readily.
With stick, you have to coordinate your hand movements for feeding the electrode rod into the weld puddle, while with wire you just press the trigger and weld. Although there may be some applications where stick might be a better selection, most beginners should look toward wire welding when making their first welding machine purchase."
So, wire feeds are easier to learn but cost more. Stick welders are cheaper but take longer to perfect. Also, whether or not you have experience will impact your selection of welder. If you are slightly experienced or confident in your ability to learn, then perhaps you want to go with a decent wire feed welder, you will have to decide.
Why Would you Opt for a Stick Welder?
- Stick welding is an extremely versatile process with respect to the location and environment of the operation.
- Equipment is relatively simple, inexpensive and portable.
- Auxiliary gas shielding or granular flux are not required.
- The process is less sensitive to wind and draft than arc welding processes.
- The process is suitable for most of the commonly used metals and alloys.
If you are welding your farm gates or other industrial equipment, then you are likely encountering thicker gauge steel, of which the stick welder may be a better option to go with as they are less expensive than wire feed options that are capable of welding thicker gauges.
According to our expert in this video, if choosing a stick welder, "opt for the inverter" this is a good idea because even the cheapest ones tend to weld very nicely, the downside is that repairs are going to cost you because the machines themselves are very complex.
And after all that, you can start thinking about MIG welding- the easiest of the welds to do badly.
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Side Fact: Brazing joints, another type of welding metals together, has been around for thousands of years in order to get strong ductile joints. The earliest examples were in King Tut's tomb.
Safety Tip: If you are welding thicker materials, and it's important for your welds to be structurally sound (for example like welding on a trailer), then it is a good idea to obtain professional assistance to ensure safe and correct welds.
What about [Welding] Power?
The 120V machine--- 120V welders are great because they can operate on standard outlets. Most people have access to a standard outlet more often than the larger, but more powerful 220/240V. For example, I have a 220V outlet. It sits square behind my dryer. Not the most functional of placements unless I start welding in my laundry room.
That issue might make from an interesting dinner time conversation, however. Another benefit? 120V welders can still weld a wide variety of material thicknesses. Both wire feed and stick welders at this power are able to do most welding jobs that a person encounters when working at home or on metal craft projects.
The 230V machine--- As stated before, welders love power. And guess what delivers more power? A 230V welder. More power allows you to have a finer adjustment when making welds and to weld thicker materials. If you have access to 220/240V outlets, perhaps you have them in your shop or on a portable generator, then this could be a great option if you are in need of welding thicker materials or require more precision from your settings.
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Don't Forget Safety!
When contemplating getting a welding rig for the first time it is important not just to analyze the cost of welding machine and components therein. You must also factor into your prospective budget safety equipment like helmet, gloves, jackets and everything else you need when welding.
For example, if you have never had the misfortune of having a piece of molten steel fall off your work and fall onto your foot, which happens to be dressed in a tennis shoe, to then have it burn straight through the top and onto the soft flesh of your foot, you understand the importance of wearing proper safety gear when welding. If you have not had this experience, spare your foot and heed this advice (Simply put, don't weld in sneakers, or risk feeling the burn).
Hopefully, this information will help guide you in your decision to when getting into your first welder. Let us know if you have any other advice to help first time buyers. And just for kicks, in your opinion, what is the hardest form of welding to learn?