The Best MIG Welder For The Money

the best mig welder for the money

A MIG welder is a mainstream welding device. With it, you can join materials, for example, aluminum, steel, and alloys of different thicknesses.

MIG Welding Process: Cheaper and Faster

It’s an extraordinary initial welding instrument since it’s generally fast and simple to figure out how to utilize. The best MIG welder for the money should be budget-friendly and provide a much faster production rate (speed).

Though there are other welding machines to choose from such as stick welders and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas), MIG welder outshines them all due to its fast speed and capability for mass production.

Quick Comparison Table: Input Voltage 110V

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Product Name

Specifications

Price

1. Hot Max 125WFG 125 Amp ​Gas Ready MIG Welder

  • Input power 120V – 15A
  • Output current of 25/125A
  • Weld up to 1/4 inch
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2. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V

  • Amperage output 25-140A
  • Duty cycle 20% at 90A
  • Weight: 57 lb
  • Welds 24 gauge up to 1/4 inch
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3. Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-I Mig Machine, 120V, 140A

  • 140A Output
  • Welds up to 1/4
  • Metal case
  • Weight: 19 lb
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4. Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder

  • Duty cycle 20% at 70A
  • Output power 35/88A
  • Welds mild steel from 24 gauge to 1/8 thick
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5. Lotos MIG140 140 Amp MIG

  • 140A output
  • 2T/4T switch
  • Two digital displayers
  • Thermal Overload Protection system
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Quick Comparison Table: Input Voltage 220V

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Product Name

Specifications

Price

6. Hobart 500554 Handler 190

  • Self-resetting thermal overload
  • Built-in spool gun
  • Duty cycle 30%
  • Seven output-voltage settings
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7. Lincoln Electric MIG Welder K2698-1 Easy MIG 180

  • Operates on 220/230/240 input power
  • Output on 180A
  • Two simple knob-tapped control
  • Weight: 66 lb
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8. Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210

  • Dual Voltage Inputs 110V/240V
  • Output Amp 210A
  • Plug-and-Play feature
  • Weighs 40 lb
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9. Hobart Handler 210 MVP

  • Seven voltage setting
  • Duty cycle: 20% (115V) and 30% (230v)
  • Dual voltage 115V/230V
  • Weight: 79 lb
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10. JEGS Performance Products 81541 MIG/MMA 180 Welder 220V AC

  • Duty cycle 25%
  • Easy to carry
  • Weight: 26 lb
buy from amazon

The Best MIG Welder For The Money – 110V & 240V Reviews & Buying Guide

We are going to talk about two major types of MIG welders that include:

  • 110V Mig Welders
  • 220V Mig Welders

However, there are certain factors to consider when looking for an ideal welder machine and these may include

  • Price
  • Weight
  • Metal Thickness
  • Duty Cycle
  • Input Voltage

and much more.

Best 110V MIG Welders – Reviews & Buying Guide

For domestic use, 110V MIG welders are better suited for this as they are cheaper and consume less power. However, they won’t be able to weld thicker metals than the 220V MIG welders. You can find another extensive article about top-rated 110v welders here.

Advantages of 110V MIG welders

  • Budget-friendly
  • Consume less power
  • Very portable
  • Most suitable for DIY welding jobs

Disadvantages of 110V MIG welders

  • Most of them operate on a max. rated power of 20A line hence, they run at a reduced power level. Therefore, 110V machines can’t weld thick metals as 220V MIG welders.

Check out the best MIG welders to consider:

1. Hot Max 125WFG 125 Amp ​Gas Ready MIG Welder

Description

Hot Max 125 WFG is an affordable MIG welder that operates at 120V on a single-phase power. This means that you can use it on standard household power.

When you buy this item, it comes also with a MIG gun / 10-inch hose, 5-inch gas hose, ground clamp with 9 inches cable, Argon / CO2 regulator, 2 spoons of 0.30-inch flux-core wire, .025” / .030” and .035” contact tips, 10# spoon-adapter, gas nozzle for the gun as well as driver roller which fits .025 inch to .035 inch wire though, drive wheel for larger-wire is as well available separately.

Features/Specs

  • Input power 120V – 15A
  • Output current of 25/125A
  • Infinite Voltage & wire speed controls
  • Weld up to 1/4 inch mild steel, aluminum, and stainless steel

Pros

  • Ready to be used just right out of the box
  • Factory pre-wired and can be used for Hot Max-SPG spoon gun
  • Can be used to weld even with or without shielding-gas
  • Easily portable
  • Built with Thermal Overload Protection

Cons

  • Shielding gas isn’t included

2. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 

Description

Hobart 500559 Handler 140 is a stylish, powerful, and very compact machine. It’s of high quality and durable as well. Both professionals and hobbyists can also use the Hobart 140 as it can tackle all types of welding jobs.

Nevertheless, it can also be used to weld steel, mild steel, stainless steel well as aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, alloys, cast iron, magnesium.

The machine comes with a built-in gas valve, dual gauge regulator, and gas hose, 10ft. MIG-gun with liner, 10 ft work cable and clamp, 10” power cord, sample spool of .030-flux core wire, extra .030 contact tips, 8-inch spool adapter as well as manual and set-up guide.

Features/Specs

  • Welds 24 gauge up-to ¼ inch mild steel
  • Operates using 115V
  • Amperage output 25-140A
  • Operates using the 5-position voltage control-selector
  • Duty cycle 20% at 90A
  • Weighs 57 lb

3. Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-I Mig Machine, 120V, 140A

Description

Forney Easy Weld 261 entails an innovative as well as inverter power system which is lightweight and easy as well as simple to use making it easy to operate thus, providing top-performance results.

Known for being one of the best budget MIG welders and publicized as an attachment and play unit, it works without a gas set up and has an amperage output of 140A.

It’s better suited for dome automotive applications as well as DIY projects and repairs around your home.

Besides the way that this MIG welder isn’t perfect for thicker metals, the wire feeder and workpiece ground wires are on the short side.

Features/Specs

  • 0.30 flux core wire
  • 140A Output
  • Welds up to 1/4
  • Metal case
  • Weight: 19 lb

Pros

  • Very portable
  • It’s anything but difficult to utilize making it perfect for beginners
  • Doesn’t require shielding gases
  • Cheapest MIG welder

Cons

  • Wire feeder and workpiece ground wires are very short

4. Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder

Description

With the Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder, you can weld mild steel from 24 gauge up to 1/8” thick. It is a compact lightweight and portable welder that’s good it good for home repairs and hobby projects especially on light-gauge mild steel.

It comes with a clamp cable length of 8 ft, regulator & gas hose, the power cord of 8 ft, gasless nozzle for flux-cored-welding, gas nozzle1-1b. spool of 0.035”, 2-1b. spool of 0.025”, flux-cored wire, solid MIG wire; 3 0.035” contact tips, 3 0.025” contact tips, chipping hammer or brush, and a welding hand shield.

Features/Specs

  • Duty cycle 20% at 70A
  • 20A household outlet
  • Output power 35/88A
  • Welds mild steel from 24 gauge to 1/8 thick

Pros

  • Portable
  • Lightweight
  • Four voltage settings
  • Continuous wire-feed speed adjustment

Cons

  • Overheats for heavy welding or long period of welding-time
  • The regulator doesn’t come with a gauge

5. Lotos MIG140 140 Amp MIG

Description

For the DIY welder, the Lotto MIG 140 stands out as it is the most versatile and perfect for both home users and professional users. it also uses a spool gun to weld aluminum and can be easily connected thus, to a 110V wall outlet and quickly set up in 10 minutes or less.

The newly upgraded Lotos MIG 140 has a 2T/4T switch, and not to mention a 2 digital display to help users adjust their wire feeder speed as well as regulate the power more precisely. It is now easy to switch between +/- due to the new-designed ground cable quick connector.

This machine is also suitable for welding mild steel, stainless steel aluminum as well as other metal materials. Though welds from 18 gauge 3/16” for both stainless steel and mild steel while for aluminum, it welds from 1/8” or thinner.

With the precision full-adjustment drive system that has a digital wire speed display, the Lotos MIG 140 plays a major role in reducing the probability of wire tangling as well as crushing.

In the box, you’ll find welding mask and wire-range 0.025”-0.030”, Argon regulator, .023 inch (0.6mm) and .035” (0.9mm) contact-tips, MIG torch, gas hose, ground clamp cable, and the main welding machine that comes with a 1-year product warranty.

Features/Specs

  • Operates on a 140A output
  • 2T/4T switch
  • 2 digital displayers
  • Thermal Overload Protection system
  • Ground cable quick connector
  • Input Voltage 110/115V
  • Weighs 56 pounds

Pros

  • Reliable
  • Durable
  • 10 variable voltage setting
  • Built with 2T/4T switch
  • Equipped with precision full adjustment drivesystem
  • Built-in aluminum wire feeder
  • LCD shows current-stats of the welder
  • Relatively light
  • Customizable wire-speed (0-100%)
  • East carry-handle for fast transportation

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with spool gun
  • Less powerful compared to other models

Best 220V MIG Welders – Reviews & Buying Guide

220V MIG welder machines are for professionals and most of them have been designed to operate a spool gun for aluminum. However, welders that run with 200 plus amps often run 3/16 inch aluminum and much more though, it depends on max. power output.

For instance, smaller 220V machines will top up at 1/16 inch or 3/8 inch steel with flux-core wire or even gas. But larger MIG welders can even weld in excess of. In addition, you can turn down these machines to weld thinner metals thus, with no problems.

Advantages of 220V MIG welders

  • They can often operate at dual voltage (110V and 220V)
  • Powerful
  • Durable
  • Welds thicker metals

Disadvantages of 220V MIG welders

  • Requires a 220v outlet
  • Heavier

6. Hobart 500554 Handler 190

Description

It comes with the spoon-gun built into the kit. However, when you purchase this welder, you’ll as well get the 10ft. spoon gun. Additionally, the Hobart 190 can weld steel from gauge 24”-5/16 thick while aluminum from gauge 16” up to 3/16” thick.

One of the best 220V MIG welders for the money, The Hobart 190 is better suited for both professionals and hobbyists, and with it, you can tackle all kinds of welding jobs as it is easy to use, powerful and portable as well.

While you can operate this powerhouse machine at 230V power, it is easy to set up and quickly adjust for various thicknesses, wires and materials as well.

On the box, you’ll also find a 10” work cable & clamp, MIG gun, built-in gas valve, dual gauge & gas hose, 8” spoon adapter,0.030 contact tips, 0.030flux-cored wire spool, manual and set-up guide.

Features/Specs

  • Short-circuit protection
  • Self-resetting thermal overload
  • Built-in spool gun
  • Selector switch
  • Duty cycle 30%
  • 7 output-voltage settings
  • Output amperage 25-190
  • Operates on 230V power

Pros

  • Easy to set-up
  • Powerful
  • Versatile
  • Built-in spool gun thus, no controls required
  • Smooth welding

Cons

  • Short cable

7. Lincoln Electric MIG Welder K2698-1 Easy MIG 180

Description

The Lincoln Electric welder can be used for home projects, farms, light fabrication, and even for industrial use. It is one powerful welding machine that operates on a 230V input power.

This simply means that you can weld thicker materials of up to 3/16”. It has a gasless flux-cored and 2 simple knob-tapped control that makes it easy for you to tackle stainless/aluminum sheet metal, thin steel, or even thicker steel. The Lincoln is a powerhouse and can weld on thicker steels and materials of up to 3/16”.

Features/Specs

  • Operates on 220/230/240 input power
  • Runs on 180A
  • 2 simple knob-tapped control
  • Weighs 66 lbs

Pros

  • Portable
  • Affordable
  • Versatile
  • Comes with 100SG spoon-gun kit (Lincoln Electric Magnum)

Cons

  • Not suitable for heavy-duty jobs
  • For 1/16”, 0.20” or 0/040” electrodes MIG, a separated cullet as well as body needs to be purchased

8. Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210

Description

Looking for a durable and versatile welding machine? Look no further as Lincoln Electric 210A has it all. It has a strong sheet metal construction making it durable to last long and you can use it for most jobs in your house or even a small shop. The best part of it is that this machine can operate on any conventional power supply (115/230V).

Uses diamond core technology to provide an excellent arc action. It is also suitable for new beginners as the display is quite easy to operate as well as simple to set up. In addition, in case there is tension in the unit, the easy turn numeric drive, will notify you of any problem.

The machine is a multifunctional MIG welder but can as well be used as TIG welding or even as a stick welding machine. It can also be used to learn TIG-welding as it has many positive MIG welder reviews coming from TIG welders thus, on welding forums.

It comes with a torch, magnum Por-175L gun, 10” (3.0m); (K4076-1) 120V & 230V input cables work-cable, clamp electrode holder, hose gas, adjustable gas regulator, gasless nozzles gun-cable liner, hose gas, spindle adapter sample-2.1b, Spool-of-SuperArc Mild-Steel MIG Wire-Sample 1.lb, Spool-Innershield Flux-Cored Wire 0.025” (0.6 mm) & 0.035”(0.9 mm) contact tips.

Features/Specs

  • Dual Voltage inputs (120V/230V)
  • Easy-turn numeric drive
  • Operates on 210A
  • Weighs 40 lb
  • Plug-and-play feature
  • Intuitive push & turn digital controls

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Suitable for stick and TIG welders as well
  • Advanced options & settings are quite simple to access
  • Easy to set-up
  • Large color display to guide users through the set-up process
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Can’t handle mass production

9. Hobart Handler 210 MVP

Description

It has a multi-voltage plug making it great for welder portability and convenience. Through this option, you’ll be able to plug your unit into either 230V/115V outlet thus, with an easy change of the plug. And with the generous operating parameters, you can weld a gauge of 24” to 3/8” steel just in a single pass.

In the box, you’ll find a 10” (3m) gun, 10” work cable and clamp, dual gauge regulator, gas hose, built-in gas solenoid-valve, spool hub assembly that accommodates 4/8” spools, 10” power cord with 5-15P (115V;15A) and 5-50P (230V;50A) MVP-plugs, manual, weld set-up chart sample spool of 0.030” (0.8mm), self-shielding flux-cored wire and 0.030” (0.8mm) contact tips.

Features/Specs

  • Dual Voltage 115V/230V
  • 7 voltage setting
  • Duty cycle at 20% (115V) and 30% (230v)
  • Quick-change drive roll system
  • Runs on a 210 amps
  • Cast aluminum-drive system
  • 115V 25-140 amps output and 230V 25-210 amps output
  • Weighs 79 lb

Pros

  • Ideal for beginners & DIY welders
  • Welds 24 gauge-3/4 steel just in one pass
  • Provides more precision due to the 7 adjustable Volt settings
  • Very convenient
  • Switch from spoon-gun to MIG gun much easily (effortlessly)
  • Works on both aluminum & stainless

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • No flux-welding

10. JEGS Performance Products 81541 MIG/MMA 180 Welder 220V AC

Description

Another powerful welder you may consider looking at is JEGS performance. It operates at 220v and both the welding voltage as well as wire-feed speed is adjustable thus, with one control that is, according to the welded sheet’s thickness.

It also has a built-in handle making it easy to carry the machine. The package comes with a gas regulator, welding torch, hand-held mask, MMA clamp, ground clamp, and cable as well as a wire brush.

Features/Specs

  • Duty cycle 25%
  • Weighs 26 lb

Pros

  • Small & efficient
  • Easy to carry

Cons

  • Limited to small production

MIG Welder Best Brands

On our list, we have listed the top brands in the market based on their high quality and likeliness to be purchased by users. This information is based on customers’ reviews and testimonies about the machines of which most of them are positive.

Here are the main brands/manufacturers listed on our product reviews:

Hobart Welders. Hobart was founded in 1917 by Charles-Clarence Hobart. Its headquarters is based in Troy, Ohio. They specialize in making welding equipment, cutters as well as other related accessories. Hobart Welders brand is known to offer budget-friendly quality welding machines in the market.

Lincoln Electric. Lincoln Electric was formed by John C. Lincoln way back in 1895. It is based in Euclid, Ohio. They specialize on making welding as well as cutting equipment.

Basically, it can be said that it is the first welding company as well as the eldest brand in America period.

Lotos Technology. Lotos Technology is based in Sunnyvale, California. They are known to supply quality welding as well as cutting tools to small businesses and DIY buyers.

But since 2007, their products gained recognition in the market as one of the affordable industrial as well as consumer-based portable plasma cutters and not to mention welders.

Forney Industries It was launched in 1932 by James Donovan Forney and has been in operation for more than 80 years now. It’s based in Fort Collins-Colorado, with about 300 employees.

They sell all types of industrial products including welders. However, they do not manufacture their products in-house but rather use external suppliers.

JEGS WeldersJegs Welders have its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. It was launched by Jeg Coughlin in 1960 first as JEGS Automotive but as it develops, they established themselves to offer affordable as well as high-performance MIG and TIG welders. Their welders are suited for both professional and hobby use.

Criteria To Consider When Choosing A Great MIG Welder

There are various factors to consider when looking for an ideal MIG welder in the market. This will guide you in choosing the best MIG welder for yourself. Some of these factors include.

  • The Purpose

MIG welder knew as a metal gas welder can be used for various types of jobs. Therefore, before you go ahead to purchase, always consider the main purpose of the machine. What do you hope to accomplish with the new machine?

The thickness of metals you wish to weld on will help determine the kind of MIG welder to choose.

  • Input Power

Basically, the input power is the actual voltage your MIG machine will run. This is one of the basic factors to consider as not all welding machines will be compatible with your workshop’s outlet.

The standard household outlets normally run at an input power of between 110V-140V while, some premium and cheap welders run at about 220V power input or rather, are capable of being switched to running at higher input voltage on which you’ll need entirely, a different type-of-outlet.

Therefore, make your choice based on the input power level as it will help determine how powerful your machine will be and what it works well on especially, the higher the input power level of a welder, the faster it is in welding thicker metals and materials.

  • Duty Cycle

The obligation cycle of your MIG welder is the level of 5 or 10 minutes that your welder can work before overheating. It will help determine how long you can weld so as to optimize your machine lifespan.

A model is a 20% obligation cycle of 100 amps for 10 minutes. This implies the MIG welder is fit for running for 2 minutes at 100 amps before requiring 8 minutes break. And for a 35% duty cycle, you’ll weld for 3 minutes and 30 seconds and let your machine rest for the remainder of 6 minutes and 30 seconds.

Obligation or duty cycle will, in general, be uniquely enhanced when a unit has a decent cooling fan. If you’re worried about this, decide on a welder with a higher obligation cycle.

  • Portability and Weight

A quality MIG welder should be portable enough to repair things out in the fields or even to transport somewhere to have repairs conveniently. Therefore, the size and weight of your welding machine will help determine that factor.

The weight of a welder machine will also determine its portability. If you’ll be working at multiple locations, a welder with a handle will be considered, unless it is heavy to carry. However, if you’ll need a large and powerful welder, consider buying a cartwheel for easy transportation.

  • Thermal Overload Protection

This safety feature plays a major role in welding machines as it ensures that it doesn’t overheat as well as shut down while in use. Overheating contributes to wasted time as well as increased shielding gas expenditure hence.

Some machines such as the Lotos 175A comes with this feature while the Lincoln Electric K2185 has a cooling fan to help prevent high temperatures.

  • Output Power

MIG welders are often categorized into three basic groups that include: 110V, 220V, and Multi-Volt plug. It is essential to have a powerful welding output regardless of how small your job will be since you’ll have the versatility to perform even larger jobs easily.

A chart is often included with the welder machine to help you choose the correct settings. You will need to have different output powers based on the metals to be welded.

  • Type Of Metal To Weld

It is important to know the kind of metals as well as the thickness that you’ll use to weld with your ideal machine as it will help in choosing the right model for yourself. ​

Consider checking in the workpiece material is aluminum, stainless steel, alloy, carbon steel, and so on. Workpiece metals that have a thickness of 4-5mm are considered thick and they’ll need at least 30A of power input to be welded on.

  • Security Equipment

Due to the temperatures engaged with welding, wellbeing gear is an unquestionable requirement.

A portion of the things you will require incorporate a welding head protector, wellbeing glasses or goggles, welding gloves, long pants, and sleeves to ensure your legs and arms.

With respect to apparel, be watchful about which material you pick. A few items incorporate security hardware, for example, goggles, however, the majority of this should be bought independently.

  • Brand and Warranty

A good brand should offer value for the types as well as the frequency of welding on which you’ll be doing. For peace of mind, consider choosing a MIG welder with a 1 to 3-year warranty.

When settling for new brands in the market, first do thorough research and check on the product testimonials as well as reviews making sure they are from genuine and verified buyers.

The Elements Of A MIG Welding Machine And Their Functions

It is important to have a good knowledge of the machine requirements as well as recognize the importance of setting up and maintaining components parts. There are majorly four components of a welding machine and they include:

  • Power Source
  • Wire-feed system
  • Conduit
  • Gun

1. Power Source

For instance, MIG welders operate with a DC-power source which is termed a flat/constant voltage. However, in MIG machines, the welding current is always determined by wire-feed speed while arc length is determined by source voltage level.

Wire burn-off rate is adjusted automatically for any slight variation in the gun thus, to workpiece distance, current pick-ups, or wire feed-speed in the contact tip. There are various power sources available and modes of metal-transfer can be.

  • Dip
  • Pulsed
  • Spray

Effects of welding current: a low welding current is often used for thin section material and in welding vertical positions.

Modern electronic power sources set the inductance automatically to give a smooth arc as well as metal transfer. Generally, the pulse mode offers a means to achieve a spray-type metal transfer though, at a current level that’s below the threshold level. While, on the other hand, welding current, as well as arc voltage, often ranges for selected wire-diameters which operate with spray and dip metal transfer.

2. Wire-feed system. Wire feed system performance is crucial for both the stability as well as reproducibility of MIG welding. Though the system has the capability of feeding the wire smoothly, it is also important to pay attention to the feed rolls and liners.There are three main types of feeding systems that include:

  • Push-pull
  • Pinch rolls
  • Spoon on gun

3. Conduit

The conduit can measure up to 5mm in length. However, to facilitate feeding, it should be kept as short and straight as possible. But if it entails longer lengths, an intermediate push-pull system may be inserted.

4. Gun

The welding gun is used to direct the wires to the joint, transfer the welding current to the wire as well as provide the gas used for shielding the arc and weld pool.

There are two main types of welding guns, namely:

  • Welding gun cooled air, which involves a limited capacity and suitable for light work.
  • Water cooled welding gun; preferred for high-current levels and suited at high duty cycles.

Other Equipment And Safety Clothing For Welders

Your safety should be your first priority.

Therefore, before you get started thus, with your welder, it is essential to have all the required and right equipment to help keep you safe as well as ensure that you get the best possible weld.

Here are the necessary equipment and safety clothing that any welder should have.

1. Gas cylinder

With MIG welding, a gas cylinder is needed. Though, different types of welding always require different types of gas. However, the most popular type of MIG welder gas is Carbon dioxide since it has the lowest operating cost.

2. Regulator

Before you start using a gas cylinder, it is important to attach a regulator thus; to your gas cylinder. There are different types-of-regulator that you can buy in the market and they include:

  • Gaugeless regulator
  • Single regulator
  • Dual gauge regulator

3. Torch

When you buy a welder, it comes with a torch. It will be in the box as part of the package but just check to ensure that the package also has a torch in it.

4. Cart

For easy transportation of your MIG welder especially for those that weigh heavy, a cartwheel is necessary to help you move your machine around to various locations of work.

5. Welding Mask

One of the most important pieces of equipment to have when you’re welding is a welding mask. It protects your eyes from the incredibly bright arc that can damage your eyes.

A helmet is needed to protect you from the bright arc and allow you to see the weld pool. Though the prices vary, the most expensive mask is the auto-darkening helmet that helps users see their work as well as position the torch with ease.

6. Clothing

When MIG welding, it is essential to wear the correct clothing; leather or cotton cloths with long-sleeves as well as welding gauntlets are a must. The flying sparks are normally extremely hot and you will not want them to touch your skin.

Wearing synthetic materials isn’t advisable, the most preferable cloth material to wear are leather or cotton cloths so the heat coming from the spark may make the synthetic cloth stick onto your skin and end up burning you.

Other important clothing to have includes welding boots, welding gloves made of leather; all these are required to prevent yourself from harm and getting burnt.

FAQs

What does MIG stand for?

MIG, also referred to as Gas Metal-Arc welding (GMAW), represents Metal Inert Gas Welding

What is MIG welding used for?

MIG welding basically is a process that uses continuously fed solid electrodes, shielding gas from an externally supplied source hence, with the electrical power, it melts the electrodes as well as deposits the molten material in the weld joint.

The welder automatically regulates the electrical characteristics of the arc. The only manual controls that are required of the machine for semi-automatic operation are travel direction, gun/torch positioning, and travel speed.

Just provide the proper welder settings and the power supply will provide the required amperage to melt the electrodes thus, at the rate required in order to maintain the pre-selected arc length.

Mig welding is normally used on a variety of metals as well as in quite a number of different metals thicknesses. However, the success of these applications often depends on proper selections of:

  • Equipment; power-source, wire feeder & welding gun
  • Electrode: composition and diameter
  • Shielding gas: type, purity & flow-rate
  • Process variables: voltage, current and mode of metal transfer

What metals would I be able to weld with MIG?

MIG welding allows to join a wide range of metals and thicknesses:

  • Aluminum
  • Carbon steel
  • Stainless steel
  • Magnesium
  • Copper
  • Nickel, and other alloys.

What is the difference between a MIG and TIG welder?

The main difference between MIG and TIG welding is that MIG continuously uses feeding wire while TIG welder uses long welding rods that slowly feed them into the weld puddle. However, both the MIG and TIG welder uses an electric arc in order to make the weld.

What is better MIG or TIG welding?

MIG welding is commonly increasingly well known as it is simpler to learn, less demanding to run, and quicker. 

What kind of welding is the strongest?

MIG welding is often praised to be faster, cheaper as well as easier to use compared to TIG welding. But when it comes to producing cleaner and more precise welds, TIG welding out-shines MIG welding and other arc welding methods. These make it to be the strongest among all.

Mig voltage levels: what is the difference between welding with 110 and 220 Volts?

Welding machines operate on different input power levels. Most of the time, they are grouped in two categories; 110V and 220V. The difference comes in based on the power consumption and the thickness of the material to be welded on.

Thicker metals required a 220V welding machine. 110V machines are preferable for most DIY welding jobs while 220V is for heavy task jobs and mostly handled by professionals.

What are the advantages of MIG welding?

  • High-productivity; low-cost welding process
  • Welds all types of metals and alloys
  • Welds in all position, with proper selection of equipment as well as parameter
  • Uses a continuously feed electrode to maintain a high-operator duty cycle as it reduces the occurrence of defects on starts & stops
  • Allows deep weld penetration
  • Requires minimal post weld clean-up
  • Ideal for multi-pass welding
  • Higher welding speeds & weld metal deposition rates
  • Ideal for mechanized welding
  • Low levels of fume rates than other welding methods
  • Requires less operator skill

Does MIG welding have any disadvantages?

  • Welding equipments are more complex and costly
  • Doesn’t perform well where base-metal contamination is a problem.
  • Not suitable for thin materials less than 1/16”
  • Relatively high-levels of radiated heat & light
  • Can’t be done in either vertical/overhead position

Conclusion & Best Offer

MIG welder machines help both homeowners and workers to repair as well as fabricate metallic workpieces.

However, they often vary in size, weight as well as welding power. If you actually know what you want to work on, then take that into consideration when making a buying decision on the ideal MIG welder to purchase.

All of these MIG welders are good but some are powerful than others. Like 110V are better suited for DIY projects or home use but for commercial use or heavy-task job, the 220V machines are recommended.

Check on the features, benefits, and the kind of work you are going to do; compare with the price and if it’s worth it, take the risk. Remember high-priced machine doesn’t guarantee high quality but if you’re satisfied with what it comes with, go for it.

Best Offer

For best quality, Lincoln brands should be your choice, based on the high quality and durability of the machine they produce.

But all in all, don’t restrict yourself to buying an expensive MIG welder with the assumption that it might work best.

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