Welding machine purchasing must be considered carefully. It is up to demand and goals of welders as well as the knowledge to use that we can choose the types of different welding machines.

There are popular types of welding machines, including MIG welder, TIG welder and stick welder

MIG WELDING

MIG welders are more and more popular in welding technique because of cost saving that is compared with TIG and stick welding machines about features and power. Moreover, it is easy to learn how to use it and easy to handle many projects. The welders can use both hands to hold torch since the filler metal is fed through the MIG welding torch. The wire feeder also makes MIG welding up to four times faster.

The MIG welding process uses an inert gas to shield the weld and to keep it free from impurities. This makes MIG welding very neat and easy to clean up since there isn’t anything to chip away, which is typical for Stick welding.

MIG welding can be used on a wide variety of materials such as aluminum and is also frequently used for automotive work. However, MIG also requires the purchase of shielding gas and generally requires materials that cost more when compared to other methods.

TIG WELDING

When appearance counts, TIG welding creates a high quality, clean weld that is far less likely to distort the metal by using a nonconsumable tungsten electrode. There is no need to worry about splatter because it only uses the necessary amount of filler metal needed in the welding puddle, making for the highest quality weld in every respect.

However, TIG is fairly specialized and requires a good deal of training in order to master it—so make sure any TIG welder purchase is paired with a plan to take welding classes. Instead of the point and shoot simplicity of MIG welding, TIG requires the use of a foot pedal to regulate the welding process. A filler rod that is separate from the torch must be fed in gradually.

Many professional welders prefer TIG because it can weld a wide variety of metals and because of the versatility of argon gas used during TIG welding. There is no slag to block the view of the weld puddle. Argon gas can weld any metal at any thickness with TIG welding, and therefore there is no need to change the gas depending on the project.

STICK WELDING

Stick welding is one of the most effective techniques for fusing alloys and joints, but it is also the least efficient. The process utilizes a consumable stick electrode that works anywhere, inside or outside, and the welding process is quite simple. The weld is not protected by a shielding gas. Rather, the electrode is coated with flux that covers the weld and protects it. This layer must be chipped away when the weld is completed.

Because it doesn’t require shielding gas, stick welding remains popular and cost-effective. It’s also the most convenient since a welder can easily switch from one metal work piece to another by changing the filler metal rod in order to match it to the metal workpiece.

POWER OPTIONS FOR WELDERS

Welders with a higher power output can work with thicker metals, but higher voltage welders will require special power supply set ups—either generators or appropriate power outlets. A welder with lower voltage in the 100’s will not be able to handle heavy duty jobs, but it can be plugged in and operated from any outlet. Any welder with power over 115V cannot run off a typical power outlet and will naturally cost more to run.

welder-plugIn addition, welders will either run an alternating current (AC) that reverses itself at regular intervals or a direct current (DC) that flows in one direction and does not reverse itself. DC offers a steady rate of energy that leads to hotter temperatures and deeper weld penetration.

AC welders usually cost less than DC welders, but the available electrodes are far more limited for AC. In fact, DC welders are more costly but remain popular because their higher power offers a wider selection of electrodes and a number of working advantages such as: simple arc striking, better penetration, and improved control. Welders who expect to work on a wide variety of projects may want to consider an AC/DC combination welder.

CHOOSING A WELDER WITH THE RIGHT DUTY CYCLE

A duty cycle is the length of time a welder can run before it needs to be turned off in order to cool. The less expensive welders have shorter duty cycles, while the more expensive welders have longer duty cycles—some can even run continuously at a 100% duty cycle.

Longer duty cycles are critical when welding thicker metals that require more time on task. For home and hobby welders, a duty cycle may not be as important a factor as it would be for professional welders in a shop.

(Source: Internet)