The process of uniting two pieces of metal by using pressure and heat is called welding. Numerous industries, including the automotive, aerospace, construction, shipbuilding, and fabrication sectors, make extensive use of it. The machines that produce the electric arc, gas flame, or laser beam that melts and fuses metal components are called welding machines.
The market offers a wide variety of welding equipment, including flux-cored, plasma, stick, MIG, TIG, and multi-process welders. Depending on the application, material, and welder skill level, each type has pros and cons of its own.The following is a list of some of the top home welders available:
1. Eastwood MIG 180 Home MIG Welder
- Solid metal drive
- 30-180 amp range
- 2T/4T trigger hold
- Dual powered 120/240 volts
- New upgrade to the MIG 175
Overview
With a new all-metal drive, the Eastwood MIG 180 MIG Welder is an improved model of the company’s MIG 175 MIG. It has a Tweco-style MIG gun, which makes it easier to locate parts. This machine can deliver 180 amps on 240 volts or 120 amps on 120 volts. A 140-amp model that requires only 120 volts for operation is also available. The Eastwood MIG 140 is an excellent choice if you want to cut costs or don’t need to weld steel thicker than 1/4 inch.
This multipurpose MIG welder is ideal for repairing garden tools, ducting, and auto bodywork because it has a lower limit of 30 amps for sheet metal up to 24-gauge.
The Eastwood MIG 180 MIG Welder can weld steel up to 5/16-inch thick when powered by 240 volts. Its tack welding capability allows you to quickly fuse two panels together by pulsing the arc. Long bead runs without hand fatigue are possible with the 2T/4T trigger lock.
2. YesWelder MIG-205 DS Multi-Process Home Welder
- 2T/4T locking trigger
- One-button mode selection
- 20- to 200-amp range
- DC TIG, MIG, flux-core, stick
- Dual input: 120 or 240 volts
Overview
You can weld 24-gauge sheet metal, fix wheelbarrows and wagons, and work on air ducting with the YesWelder MIG-205DS Multi-Process Home Welder because it has a 20 amp lower limit. This dual-input device may operate at 120 or 240 volts, with a maximum output of 160 amps at 120 volts and 200 amps at 240 volts. With 120 volts, you can weld steel up to 3/16 inch thick, and with 240 volts, you can weld steel up to 1/4 inch thick.
The YesWelder MIG-205DS Multi-Process Home Welder is designed only for steel because it is a DC TIG. MIG and flux core are also not suitable for aluminum if they are not compatible with spool guns. That being said, this is where multi-process welders’ beauty shines. Aluminum welding rods can still be used in the stick arc technique. Long runs on sheet metal won’t wear your hands out if you have a 2T/4T trigger lock. A flip-up dust cover for the front controls is another feature that YesWelder has included with this machine.
The YesWelder MIG-205DS Multi-Process Home Welder’s automated adjustments according to material thickness simplify setup. To switch between welding modes, you only need to press one button. A 10-foot electrode holder and a 12.5-foot MIG gun are included in this package; however, the TIG torch is an additional expense.
3. Hobart Handler 140 – Best Home MIG Welder
- Convenient 120 volt power
- 25–140 amp output range
- Both flux core and MIG process
- Duty cycle is 20% @ 90 Amps
- 24 gauge sheet to 1/4-inch thick
Overview
With enough power to complete the majority of tasks you’ll ever encounter in a home shop, the Hobart Handler 140 is one of the most often used MIG welders among homeowners. This machine can handle a wide variety of materials because its output ranges from 25 to 140 amps.
Using the MIG method, 25 amps can weld as thin as 24 gauge sheet metal, and 140 amps running flux core can weld steel up to 1/4 inch thick. Almost any home repair task that requires a welder can be completed in the allotted working period of the 20 percent duty cycle at 90 amps.
The Hobart Handler 140 is a heavy but portable and multipurpose device that may be powered by a 4000-watt generator and weighs 65 pounds. Hobart is well-known for producing robust equipment that can withstand the strain of long-day building site labor. Although there aren’t many complaints, several owners have voiced their displeasure with randomly severed wires. Others dislike that adjusting the spool tension requires a wrench. This machine has a three-year warranty and accepts spools that are 4 and 8 inches in diameter.
4. Hobart Stickmate 160i – Best Home Stick Welder
- Dual 120 and 240 volt power
- DC stick arc welder
- Welds 3/8-inch steel
- 3-year warranty
- Hot Start for easy arc strikes
Overview
Since 1917, Hobart has led the industry and is renowned for its industrial quality and longevity. With an output range of 20 to 160 amps and an input power of 120 or 240 volts, the Hobart Stickmate 160i is an excellent arc welder for home use. Up to 3/8-inch thick steel plate and 28 gauge sheet metal can be welded together. Its present value is indefinitely changeable, with 1 amp increments.
The performance of this machine is praised by homeowners, who highlight the Hobart Stickmate 160i’s arc quality and ease of striking and maintaining an arc. Known as “synergic design,” the Hot Start function dynamically analyzes voltage, current, and arc distance during welding and adjusts settings in real time to maintain an ideal arc.
The fact that this equipment is manufactured in China is one disadvantage for some folks. Although it is a high-quality machine by all standards, this product does not meet the expectations of consumers who purchase American brands in the hopes of purchasing American-made goods. The Hobart Stickmate 160i weighs less than 20 pounds and is covered by a 3-year warranty.
5. Lincoln Electric K2278-1 Handy Core
- Runs on household current
- Flux core welder for beginners
- Output range 35-88 amps
- Electrode wire isn’t hot until triggered
- 1-year warranty
Overview
For minor household repairs, the Lincoln K2278-1 Handy Core flux core welding machine is an excellent choice for beginners. It’s excellent for fixing gutters, appliances, and garden equipment, among other things, because it can weld as thin as 18-gauge sheet metal. It can weld 1/8-inch thick steel in a single pass at its maximum power of 88 amps. You can fix exhaust systems, weld brackets for cars, and fix garden and yard issues like gate hinges and fencing with that much welding power.
The Lincoln K2278-1 Handy Core comes with a subpar ground clamp, according to some users, which may degrade the quality of your welding. According to some users, the duty cycle isn’t strong enough to handle demanding tasks. Although it may not seem like much, its 20 percent at 70 amp rating would allow you to weld on thick sheet or a thin bracket for two continuous minutes before needing to rest the machine.
Conclusion
As a novice, selecting the best welding machine may seem overwhelming, but let’s make it easier. Since TIG welders require more training and experience, they may be a little too sophisticated for novices. Thus, MIG and stick welders remain our two beginner-friendly solutions.
These days, MIG welding machines are like simple superheroes. They are simple to set up, adaptable, and straightforward to learn. Conversely, stick welding equipment are easy to use, reasonably priced, and capable of handling a variety of metals.
