You’ve decided you want to buy a Mig Welder, but discovered there’s a bewildering choice out there. So how do you go about

Link to yigao

choosing a Mig Welder?

As not everyone is not a reader, I’ve also produced a video on this subject

First things First

It may sound a bit obvious, but the first thing you should consider when choosing a Mig Welder is what you want to be able to do with it!

There’s little point in buying a 150amp Mig Welder because it runs off a 13amp plug if you want to weld 10mm thick sheet steel – it’s simply not powerful enough.

Conversely, there’s little point in spending big money on a 300 amp machine if you only want to repair stuff at home and/or restore a classic vehicle.

So power output and you own power supply are important considerations.

Broadly speaking, you can run a Transformer machine up to around 130 or 150amps (depending on machine), off a 13amp plug.

Inverter machines can be run at around 160amps off a 13amp supply. This is because an Inverter is more electrically efficient than a traditional transformer.

Having said all that, if you want to weld car body panel thickness material, the top end power is far less important than the bottom.

To weld car body panels you need a Mig Welder with a minimum output of no more than 30amps. A higher minimum output will result in lots of hole blowing in thin sheet!

So consider BOTH ends of the power range, not just the top!

The Basics of a Mig Welder

A Mig Welder can be broken down into two basic parts, a Power Supply and a Wire Drive System (inc Torch).

The Power Supply will either be a Transformer or Inverter (more about these later).

In my opinion, the more important consideration is the Wire Drive System, including the Torch.

I say this because after around 30 Years in welding, wire drive problems make up about 80% of the problems I’ve seen with Mig Welders. From DIY units to big Industrial units.

Duty Cycle

Another consideration regarding the power output of a Mig Welder is Duty Cycle. This is essentially how long the machine will run for before it overheats. If you want to do long welds at high power, a small DIY Mig is unlikely to be the right choice for you. But if it’s mostly small jobs, you shouldn’t have a problem.

I’ve written a separate blog article about Duty Cycle if you would like to know more. Ive also produced a video if you prefer to watch than read:

What to look for in a Mig Welders Wire Drive System

For me, when choosing a Mig Welder a decent sized Wire Drive Motor is very important. Many units, especially in the DIY market, have small, cotton reel sized motors that are only just powerful enough, assuming everything else is perfect.

Yeah, like everything’s always perfect, especially after a few Years use!!!

Next is the robustness of the Wire Feed Roller System. This is hard to qualify, but most practical people will know a good Roller System from a cheap crappy one when they look at it.

Mig Welder Torch

Lastly is the torch itself. A Steel Torch Liner is, in my opinion, VERY important. Many low cost machines have a plastic liner to cut cost. But this doesn’t last long when you’re feeding steel wire through it and changing the liner is usually a time consuming, fiddly job.

A plastic liner is also likely to be the No1 culprit of feed problems, and soon!!! So a torch with a steel liner is definitely worth looking out for!

A Steel Torch Liner looks like bicycle brake cable, a spiral of steel coated with plastic.

A really good thing to look out for is a Euro Torch. This Torch system has a Socket on the front of the Mig Welder and a Plug on the Torch.

The Torch simply screws onto the Socket with a Hand Nut.

Euro Torches are better quality, yet are nearly always cheaper than the permanently fitted type (should you ever need to replace the torch). This is because Euro Torches are standard on Industrial machines and so are made by the Millions.

Permanent fit torches are usually bespoke and so have to be bought from the machine manufacturer. This can mean BIG money!!

I would expect all Euro Torches to be fitted with a Steel Liner, ours certainly are!

Types of Mig Welder

There are two basic types of Mig Welder, which is mostly about the type of Power Unit inside the machine. When Choosing a Mig Welder, this is a pretty fundamental choice!

Transformer Mig Welders

Transformers are the traditional power unit for a Mig Welder. The advantages of a Transformer based unit are that they are usually cheaper and less complex, so theoretically more reliable long term.

The downsides of Transformers are that they are Heavy, Overheat more quickly and the power output is usually set in a range of steps. Transformer Mig Machines typically have between 2 and 30 steps. It is not possible to set a power output in-between these steps.

From 1st January manufacturers will no longer be allowed to manufacture, or import, Transformer based Welders of any kind into the UK or EU.

Inverter Mig Welders

Modern inverters are also far more reliable than units of only a few Years ago. Another advantage is that power output is steplessly adjusted, in other words, power can be adjusted in the same way you would adjust the volume of a radio, simply by rotating a knob.

Inverters are a modern, electronic unit for a Mig Welder. The advantages of an Inverter based unit is that they are lighter, so easier to move around and will run for much longer before overheating.

The only real, possible, downside with inverters is the complexity of an electronic board, which if it fails outside of warranty will need to be replaced. Replacement Inverter boards are not cheap as they typically represent over half the Mig Welders internal parts.

Conclusion

Which type of Mig Welder is right for you is a personal decision, because, as we’ve said, it all depends what you want to be able to achieve.

Visit our Mig Welders Page to view our current range.

Need to Know More?

If you need help and advice with choosing a Mig Welder, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either via the Contact Us page of our website, or by picking up the for an informal chat, ask for me!

I hope you found this article useful.

Please let me know what you thought of this article by leaving a comment.  

Don’t worry, your address won’t be added to a database or shared and you won’t receive any unsolicited .

Regards

Graham

Electric welding machines play a crucial role in several industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and many others. Manufacturers of these machines understand the importance of providing high-quality, durable and efficient products to meet the demands of their customers. Some notable companies, such as Lincoln Electric and Miller Welds, have become leading names in the industry and gained reputations for their reliable and innovative welding equipment.

Founded in , Lincoln Electric is a well-established brand with a global presence, offering a wide range of products including MIG welders, TIG welders and engine-driven welders. Their commitment to research and development of welding technologies has helped them maintain a strong position in the industry. Likewise, Miller Welds offers a wide selection of welding machines, such as MIG, TIG, Stick, and submerged arc welders, targeting a variety of applications and professional welders.

These top-rated electric welding machine manufacturers ensure their products meet the highest standards, recognizing that qualified welders require reliable, efficient equipment to complete their tasks. As demand for welding machines continues to grow across multiple industries, companies like Lincoln Electric and Miller Welds are constantly working to develop innovative solutions to stay at the forefront of their industry.

Overview of electric welding machine manufacturers

The electric welding machine industry comprises several well-established manufacturers specializing in producing high-quality welding equipment. These manufacturers offer a wide range of welding machines that suit various techniques such as electrode, TIG, MIG and multifunctional processes. In this section, we will provide an overview of some prominent electric welding machine manufacturers.

Lincoln Electronics is one of the industry's leading global manufacturers, with a substantial presence in North America. They offer a wide range of welding machines including stick, MIG, TIG, advanced and multi-functional machines. Lincoln Electric also specializes in submerged arc welding, motor drives and wire feeders. They are known for their exceptional quality and reliable equipment.

ESAB Welders is another reputable manufacturer with a strong international presence. They provide state-of-the-art welding and cutting solutions for a variety of industries. Its product line includes TIG welders, MIG welders, stick welders and plasma cutters, along with a wide range of welding accessories.

Welders Hobart is a renowned welding equipment manufacturer specializing in affordable, high-performance welding machines. Its product line covers MIG, TIG, coated electrode and multi-process welders. Hobart has a strong focus on innovation and dedication to providing best-in-class welding solutions.

Everlast Welders is a trusted and innovative manufacturer offering a wide variety of welding equipment, including TIG, MIG, stick and multi-process machines. They are known for their emphasis on performance, quality, and value, making their products popular among do-it-yourself enthusiasts and professional welders.

Recommended article:
Laser Cutting: Advantages & Inconvenients
Comparison Analysis between Semi - Automatic Film Laminating ...

If you want to learn more, please visit our website china welding equipment.

Eastwood is another prominent name in the welding equipment industry, known for its versatile welding machines and cutting tools. Their products serve diverse industrial segments and are committed to providing high-quality, reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Several other manufacturers have also made their mark in the electric welding machine industry, including Panasonic Tangshan and Tangshan Kaiyuan Group . These companies are known for their cutting-edge technology and high-quality products in the electric welding machine market.

In conclusion, the electric welding machine market features a variety of manufacturers, each offering a diverse range of welding equipment in terms of quality, performance and price. Professionals and do-it-yourself enthusiasts can choose from several brands such as Lincoln Electric, ESAB Welders, Hobart Welders, Everlast Welders, and Eastwood to find the welding equipment best suited to their specific needs.

Factors to consider

The following are some factors to consider when selecting an electric welding machine:

• Motor Material: The motor is the central element of this electrically driven device. It is recommended to purchase a pure copper motor, as it has good conductivity, thermal properties, plasticity, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
• Capacitance: A higher capacitance generally means a more durable welder. Furthermore, it can improve the overall high temperature resistance and make the welding of large parts less vulnerable. However, beware of false markings on capacitors made by some dealers.
• Welding wire core material: Copper has a resistivity of 0., while aluminum has a resistivity of 0.. This means that aluminum wire has 68% greater resistance than copper wire of the same section. Be careful when purchasing copper-clad aluminum or aluminum welding wire as it may burn and leak. When purchasing, check the product nameplate for the manufacturer's title, production address, specification and model.
• Safety: Safety is a top priority when operating an electric welding machine. Check if the product has a grounding screw and make sure its connection is free from paint and well grounded. When you receive the product, it is recommended to turn it on and check whether there are any abnormal sounds or burning smells from the switch, indicator light, fan operation and power supply.
• Functionality: When purchasing a home electric welding machine, consider the materials you will weld, such as stainless steel, galvanized pipe and square pipe, to ensure that the overall performance is stable and excellent. It is important to confirm that the product has “3C” quality certification, and it is recommended to buy from a reliable, high-quality manufacturer.

Best Electric Welding Machine Manufacturers

Note: Top 10 high strength electric welding machine manufacturers are listed for your reference.

1. Panasonic

Tangshan Panasonic is a joint venture established by Panasonic Group of Japan and Tangshan Kaiyuan Group. Founded in , it has become one of the top ten brands in the electric welding machine industry. The company provides a range of services including electric welding machines, robots, laser welding systems and other related services.

With an annual output of 100,000 electric welding machines, it is a professional manufacturer of welding equipment. To ensure the provision of quality products and services, Tangshan Panasonic has established branches and welding technology application centers in major cities across the country.

2. Lincoln

Lincoln Electric, founded in in the United States, is a renowned manufacturer of welding equipment. The company focuses on the design, development and production of arc welding products. Its products are widely used in pipeline welding, shipbuilding industry welding and stainless steel welding.

The Lincoln welder is known for its ease of operation, durability and high performance/price ratio. The company has 59 production bases in 18 countries worldwide and its distribution network covers 160 countries worldwide.

3. Riland

Founded in , Riland is a nationally recognized high-tech company specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, sales and service of inverter welding and cutting equipment, welding automation products, welding accessories and protective equipment.

The company is listed on the A-share market in the domestic inverter welding equipment industry. Its sales and service network covers more than 60 countries and regions on five continents and has almost 100 foreign customers or dealers and more than 2,000 domestic dealers.

4. Jasico

Jasic Technology, founded in , is a domestic high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales and service of inverter welding machines, internal combustion power generation welding machines and complete sets of welding and cutting equipment. In , the company was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Jasic Technology is a well-known manufacturing company in the domestic welding and cutting equipment industry and has four R&D centers across the country. The company has obtained more than 60 essential technology patents and has a sales and service network both nationally and globally.

5. Aotai

Founded in , Aotai Company is a domestic high-tech enterprise and global manufacturer of industrial welding and cutting equipment.

It specializes in providing users with industrial welding and cutting equipment, robotic welding and cutting systems, automatic welding and cutting equipment, and intelligent cloud welding systems and their application solutions.

The company has focused on research and innovation in inverter technology and welding technology over the years, and is a leader in industrial inverter welding machines in China.

6. Time

Founded in , the company was created by the Times group in collaboration with Tsinghua Ziguang, Lenovo Group, Daheng Group and Sitong group.

The company is mainly engaged in the development, production and sales of inverter welding machines, large welding equipment, specialized welding machines, CNC cutting machines and robotic arc welding systems.

With more than 40 sales and service subsidiaries, the company's sales and after-sales service network covers the entire country and its products are exported to more than 40 countries around the world.

7. HG

Founded in , Shanghai Hugong is a leading R&D and manufacturing center for welding and cutting equipment in China. It is a company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and a well-known player in the welding equipment industry. Its main products include arc welding equipment, CNC cutting equipment, robotic systems and laser cutting equipment.

The company has two main brands, HG and HG Star. Its sales and after-sales network covers the entire country and its products are exported to hundreds of countries and regions around the world.

8. Esab

Esab was founded in Sweden in and is a world-renowned manufacturer of welding and cutting equipment and materials. The company is known for inventing the coated electrode and has earned a strong reputation in the industry for its professional technology and exceptional customer service.

With more than 100 years of continuous research, development and production, Esab has made a lasting impact on the welding industry through its commitment to innovation and rigorous standards. Its business extends globally and it has established sales and support teams in more than 80 countries around the world.

9. Miller

Miller was founded in the United States in and is a subsidiary of ITW Welding Business Group, a world-renowned manufacturer of welding products.

The company mainly operates in the sale of welding equipment and systems, wire feeders and welding materials, as well as providing engineering services such as equipment installation, commissioning, maintenance, technical consultancy, technical service and training.

Miller's electric welding machine products, including submerged arc welding machines, multi-function welding machines and power generation welding machines, have a high reputation in the fields of domestic manufacturing and industrial production.

10. Taylor

Founded in , the company is a main subsidiary of Shanghai General Heavy Industry Group. As a high-tech enterprise, it specializes in the research and development, manufacturing, sales and service of electric welding machines.

The company's product portfolio includes digital gas shielded welding machines, DC manual arc welding machines, AC arc welding machines, tungsten argon arc welding machines and submerged arc welding machines. It also provides comprehensive services including machine sales, accessory sales, customer service and information feedback.

Types of welding machines

Welding machines come in several types, each catering to specific welding processes and materials. Understanding the different types of welding machines and their uses is crucial to selecting the right equipment for a specific job. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common types of welding machines, including MIG welders, ARC welders, stick welders, TIG welders, engine-driven welders, and more.

MIG Welders : MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), uses a continuous wire as an electrode and an inert shielding gas to protect the part from contamination. MIG welders are popular for their ease of use, versatility and high productivity, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, from automotive repairs to heavy metal fabrication.

ARC Welders : Also known as welders, ARC (Arc Welding) machines employ a consumable electrode coated with flux to create an electrical arc between the electrode and the workpiece. Stick welding, or shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), is a popular choice for many do-it-yourself enthusiasts as well as professional welders due to its simplicity, low-cost equipment, and adaptability to various materials and locations. of work.

TIG Welders : TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and inert shielding gas, typically argon, to create the weld. TIG welding is known for its precision and clean results, making it ideal for applications such as aerospace, automotive and high-quality metal fabrication.

Engine-Driven Welders : These welders are powered by an internal combustion engine, making them ideal for field and remote applications where electricity is not readily available. Motor-driven welders can be found in various configurations, including MIG, TIG, stick, and multi-process systems.

Wire Feeders : Wire feeders are essential components of many welding machines, particularly MIG and flux cored welders, as they are responsible for the continuous and consistent feeding of the wire electrode during the welding process.

Multi-process welders : As the name suggests, multi-process welding equipment is designed to handle multiple welding processes such as MIG, TIG, and electronic welding. These versatile machines are popular among professional welders and production facilities as they offer flexibility and efficiency in a variety of applications.

Advanced Process Welders : Advanced process welding machines like the Power Wave® series incorporate cutting-edge technology to provide greater control, precision and consistency in welding, especially for specialized or high-performance applications.

Multi-Operator Welders : These systems are designed to accommodate multiple welders working simultaneously, which can improve productivity and efficiency in large-scale welding operations.

Submerged Arc Equipment : Used in the submerged arc welding (SAW) process, submerged arc devices use a granular flux, which covers the weld area and protects it from atmospheric contamination.

Spot Welding Machines : Spot welders use electrical current to fuse overlapping metal sheets or components, typically used in the automotive and sheet metal industries.

Inverter Welding Machines : Inverter-based welding equipment converts the input power into high frequency, which allows for a more compact and lightweight welding machine. These welders are generally more energy efficient and offer greater control over the welding process.

In conclusion, this section highlighted various types of welding machines and their uses such as MIG, ARC, TIG, stick, motor driven, wire feeders, multi-process, advanced process, multi-operator, submerged arc, spot and inverter. welding machines. These welding machines serve a wide range of applications and industries, providing the tools necessary for successful welding projects in various environments.

Welding machines for beginners and hobbyists

When it comes to welding machines for beginners and hobbyists, there are several manufacturers that produce machines designed specifically for ease of use and purpose. These machines are easier to use, offering essential features for those just starting their welding journey or for enthusiasts who take up welding as a hobby.

Easy Soldering Forney is a popular manufacturer known for its machines aimed at beginners. Two examples of their products are the Forney Easy Weld 100ST Welder Start-Up Kit and the Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST. These machines have been designed with beginners in mind, ensuring they offer a simple welding experience.

Lincoln Electronics is another well-established company that supplies a range of welding equipment, including machines suitable for beginners and hobbyists. Its product offerings include electromagnetic welding, MIG, TIG, submerged arc, motor drives and FCAW wire feeders. Lincoln Electric ensures that its machines are built to withstand a variety of conditions while delivering excellent results.

Hobart Handler is recognized for its high-quality machines, with the Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder being the best overall choice for beginners. This machine features solid performance and ease of use, making it ideal for those just starting out in welding.

VIVHOME, S7, and DEKOPRO are also notable manufacturers that provide cost-effective and easy-to-use machines designed specifically for beginners and hobbyists. For example, the VIVHOME MIG Welder 130 Flux Welding Machine and the S7 200-Amp HF TIG/Stick/Arc TIG Welder are popular choices among those who are new to welding or use it recreationally.

In summary, several manufacturers cater to the needs of beginners and hobbyists in the welding industry, with many offering machines tailored for ease of use and affordability. Aspiring welders and enthusiasts have a multitude of options to choose from when looking for the ideal machine for their needs.

Final thoughts

In addition to choosing the welding machine based on the above rating, it is also important to consider the manufacturer's reputation among users. A good product is often indicated by positive feedback.

If you plan to purchase welding machines in large quantities, it is important to take into account the manufacturer's after-sales service.

If you have any questions regarding the rating mentioned above, feel free to leave a message in the comments section.

Want more information on mma 250 welding machine? Feel free to contact us.