As you plan the welding projects you want to knock out in the coming year, it’s a good idea to pause and consider what kind of welder will best meet your needs. While there are some pretty rugged stick welders that are inexpensive and ideal for beginners and some hefty TIG welders that will help you weld like the pros, we’re going to look at the middle of the welding machine market.
MIG welders are a great wire feed welder option that are relatively easy to learn and extremely effective for accomplishing a wide range of projects. If you’re planning to get started on a major or minor welding project in the coming year, take a look at our list and let us know if you have a favorite machine to add.
Welders That Offer the Most Flexibility
Multi-process welders are a wonderful addition to most home-welding shops, providing all of the capabilities that a welder could need.
The ESAB EMP 210 Multiprocess 200A Welder
ESAB’s multi-process welder is a great machine for the beginning welder because it offers a competitive price and a wide variety of processes. Like most 3 in 1 machines, it has spool gun capability for MIG welding aluminum, various add-ons, and features that provide voltage control and minimize spatter. In addition, the current offer from ESAB includes a rebate for a free Savage helmet.
This machine particularly stands out because it’s priced under $1,500 and weighs 29 pounds. For a relatively new welder or a welder who needs an affordable but capable machine, ESAB provides a solid machine for that niche.
Miller’s 3 in 1 welder offers more power and a lighter weight machine (under 29 pounds) that provides superior arc starts and spatter control for welders who need a highly versatile machine. It can be plugged into both high and low voltage outlets, increasing your welding capabilities dramatically.
The Millermatic 200 is a sound investment because it’s portable, rugged, and effective. While it won’t outperform a $4,000 TIG welder for certain projects, most welders won’t need that anyway. The home and hobby welder will have professional grade capabilities wrapped up in this elite machine, making it a hard machine to resist for welders who want to take their home welding projects to the next level.
Welders That Offer the Best Value
Not everyone needs a machine that can do it all. Plenty more of us can’t shell out $1,000 for a welder, especially if there are consumables, welding supplies, and shielding gas to purchase as well. If you need a sturdy and effective welder, consider this affordable MIG welder:
Lincoln’s MIG welders specialize in delivering a stable arc and reliable arc starts, and this machine receives high marks for its effectiveness. With that stability comes far less spatter and a much easier time cleaning up your weld when you’re done. In addition, Lincoln’s Power MIG 140 has a wide variety of capabilities, including high quality performance on aluminum and stainless steel.
Whether your projects are large or small, it’s wide 30-140 amperage range with 120V input power gives a lot of flexibility in a welder that operates at a lower voltage. It’s even powerful enough to make a strong weld in a single pass in some cases.
However, welders will also be glad to know that they can find this machine for under $1000.
Welders That Offer the Most Power
Some welders have a little extra cash on hand that they can set aside for a machine with a bit more punch. If you need a reliable and highly effective welding machine for your next project, consider this option from Miller Electric:
The Miller Multimatic 211 MIG Welder
Miller’s Multimatic provides professional grade power for welders who either want to weld for fun or to take up welding as a side job. The Multimatic offers the most power for a machine in its price range, and may even leave most welders with power to spare. Most importantly, you can switch between 120V and 240V for a variety of welding projects. In addition, this is a durable machine, made by strong components and a brass contact on the MIG gun that is superior to similar machines.
Priced between $1,700 and $2000, this welder carries a higher price tag, but that extra cash is converted into pure welding power. Not every welder needs a machine with this much power, but if you invest in it, you won’t be disappointed.
If You Still Need More Power
Feel free to give us a call if none of these welders fit your description. We are always glad to help out with finding the right welder for you at bakersgas.com