The qualities of the best welder for beginners should focus around the ease of usage and understanding. To determine a good welding machine, one would need to consider the type of projects and materials that are being worked on.
Ah yes, you’ve finally made your decision on what you want to do with your free time. Or maybe you already knew from when you were little that the bright arcs that melt metals together are your calling. Or maybe I’m just jumping to conclusions here, and you just want to practice a hobby or to complete a project you’re working on.
Yes, I may be missing the reason why you want one by a mile, but the fact still remains, you want one. As you want to learn though, there are various options present to you. What you don’t know is, which of this is the best for you as a beginner in the welding trade.
That’s a very common concern for anyone who is just starting out their journey in welding. Although you may still be working on your skill and don’t yet know how to get the perfect weld, in some cases it could be the tool you’re using that’s the problem.
That’s the reason why product reviews such as this one exist, so as to point you in the right direction and have you becoming the master welder… provided you put in the practice.
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Top Welding Machine For Starters (MIG, TIG, STICK) in 2023
1. Miller Electric MIG Welder
Miller Electric was not joking when they designed this product. Here is a product that just focuses on doing one thing; being the best MIG welder that you can get your hands on. But that’s not all it can do; it can also do flux core welding quite well.
All this welding is done via the dual voltage inputs of 120 or 240 volts. This makes it capable of welding up to 3/8 inches of 24-gauge steel. That’s power in a compact package.
The Miller Electric MIG Welder comes with the most basic controls which is perfect for beginners, but that doesn’t stop it from wanting to be the best just with those basics. The wire feeder is regarded as one of the best in the industry.
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2. Weldpro 200 Multi-Process Welder
If you have kids come around in your workshop, you could very easily entice them with how you fought with the Transformers and Bumblebee left you his power core as a memento. As crazy as that would be, this welder may just be what you need as your starter welding machine.
The Weldpro 200 is a multi-process welder capable of doing both MIG and TIG functions. This offers options to the student who is learning multiple types.
It also comes with a variety of operation modes, including one where you can switch off automatic wire feeding if you want to rely on manual feeding. It's overall, simple to work with and heavily reliable.
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3. Lotos TIG200 ACDC TIG Welder
When it comes to TIG welding, a recent entrant into the fold has risen quickly to the top and is working hard to stay there.
The Lotos TIG200 ACDC welder is one of those products that are well respected for the quality of their welds, but also for the surprisingly affordable prices for beginners.
The knobs on the dashboard makes it look like a guitar amplifier, but they are responsible for giving you excellent output while you work with easy to understand functions. The dual voltage of 110v/220v allows you to work on projects big and small with ease.
This machine can be used on any kind of metal, even aluminum. Just remember to switch to AC, and then back to DC for the other metals.
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4. LOTOS MIG140 MIG Welder
Well, the fact that the previous Lotos did not have MIG welding capabilities was so that it can be the main focus of this welder. While we already know the awesome quality Lotos welders can produce with TIG welds, let’s now clamor for a MIG model. And it doesn’t disappoint.
Some welders may be easier to use, case in point, the Weldpro 200. However, when it comes to manual operations, no other welder can hold a candle to this one. This is because it comes with a 2T/4T switch for a variety of operation modes.
If you have not yet set up welding gas yet, that does not mean you should remain stagnant until the gas comes. Simply switch to flux core welding and build your skills; beginners should understand the basics to help them become a knowledgeable welder.
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5. Amico TIG160 Welder
The Amico TIG160 is a machine that looks like it was sent by the Decepticons to spy on your household and report back on your activities. The design, though functional, leaves something to be desired. And while still on the subject of Decepticons, this welder is a tad difficult to operate if you’re an absolute beginner.
Even though this welder was made for TIG welding, it doesn’t achieve it very well. Where it shines though, and what most people buy it for, is stick welding.
This Amico TIG160 welder is a champ for beginners who want to master stick. If you’re fairly confident with your learning capabilities, then this should be your pick.
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6. Esab EMP 215ic Welder
From way beyond the borders to the east, is a land that is known for producing quality machinery… no, not Germany. Well, they do produce quality machinery, but in this case, it is their neighbors, Sweden, who are producing quality welders for affordable prices.
The Esab EMP 215ic has been made to conquer the three most common types of welding. This machine can comfortably handle TIG, MIG and stick welding while ensuring quality welds.
It also has an automatic adjustment feature meaning that it will adapt to the user's technique to ensure the best welds every time.
For this though, it means that the initial price of the welder is not so budget-friendly for many. Even though this machine is not meant for aluminum welding, that doesn’t stop you from getting creative and finding little adjustments to make this possible.
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7. Forney Easy Weld 140MP Multi-Process Welder
The Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is probably everyone’s favorite MIG welder, just for how well it does the job. And when people found out that if you put in a TIG gun, it can do that as well as it does MIG welding. The only downside is that it does not come with a TIG gun, and you have to get one separate.
This is a lightweight and compact welder at roughly 25 lbs., how it has all the capabilities as a MIG, DC TIG, and stick welder in one. It's a great tool for learning popular welding processes with this Forney Easy Weld.
With that being said, it in no way detracts from how awesome this machine is. Straight from the box, it comes very easy to set up. If you’re still not sure what to do, Forney is known for including well-articulated manuals with their products.
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8. Hobart Handler 210 Welder
Yes, some educators consider it easier to handle some of the calculations for you, while you concentrate on developing your technique. This is how some welding machines can calculate solutions and provide them to you. Others though, find that they’d rather teach you how to make those calculations while you work on your technique.
This is the approach the Hobart Handler 201 has taken. While you will get quality welds from this machine, you have to make adjustments to amperage and wire speed all by yourself. This dual voltage works with both 110v and 220v, so you can work on both small and big scale projects when you're ready.
The 7 voltage settings give you the customization for a clean weld of 24 gauge to 3/8". The infite wire feed control system will give you all the practice you need since it can give you precise arc welds, all with let splatter.
It is the type of welder to help beginners learn from the start rather than solely rely on technology, that way you can understand where the numbers are coming from. The range of adjustments is aplenty, meaning you can come up with some exciting new welds and techniques.
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Buying Guide For Welders For Beginners
Welders aren’t really a one-size-fits-all kind of equipment piece. Depending on what type of metal you want to use, that will determine the kind of welder that you need. If you’re new to welding, you’re probably wondering what kind of welder you should invest in.
The best place to start is usually with a MIG welder. You use a wire welding electrode that’s situated on a spool, fed automatically at a consistent speed. The arc will melt the wire and join it with the base. This process generally produces a pretty neat weld once you know what you’re doing. Whether you want to buy a MIG welder or something else, there are a few factors to consider.
Metal Being Used
There are many different metals that you can weld, and the type of welder that you choose will really depend on what you plan on doing. The most common metals like stainless steel and steel can be welded by way of a MIG, TIG and stick welder. Aluminum can be welded with MIG and TIG. Copper requires TIG, and cast iron requires stick welding.
Capacity
One welding machine doesn’t weld through all types of metal and all thicknesses. Understand what the capacity is for a specific unit that you’re looking at. You may not want to get through thick metals right now, but picking the right unit early on can prevent having to buy a different welder later on.
Welder Size
There are portable beginners welders that are easy to take from one location to the next. You can also opt for a larger machine that will be kept in your workshop. If you don’t mind being stuck in one place, then a larger welder is perfectly fine.
Dual Voltage
It’s nice to have more than one power input option. A dual voltage welder will operate on both 240 volts and 110 volts. If you’re trying to weld somewhere that doesn’t have the certain voltage that you require, then you’d be left without proper equipment to do the job.
Frequently Asked Questions About Welders for Beginners
Q: What beginner welder can I use for thick materials?
A MIG welder allows you to weld both thin and thick materials. It’s likely that you won’t be welding anything thicker than your MIG welder can handle, unless you’re welding professionally.
Q: How is TIG welding different than MIG welding?
TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode to create the weld by way of gas and a filler metal. A consistent current creates the energy that is absorbed across the arc by way of plasma. You get pretty nice welds from TIG welding, and you can control the heat with ease.
Q: What’s the most commonly used welders?
A stick welder is the most common welder that you will find in household workshops and professional settings. This is also the oldest form of welding. It works best for lighter welds, using an electric current that flows from a gap in between the welding stick and metal.
Conclusion
There are many machines out there that can do the job that you want to do. The quality of the job is what matters, that’s why we’ve compiled this list. From this list though, there’s that one machine that stands way above the rest.
And that machine is the Esab EMP 215ic. As a beginner, you may have yet to decide which type of weld you want to specialize in. Or you could want to be a specialist in all three.
For that you will need a quality welder that you can use for all three types of welding. This is especially true for your formative years.
So, if you’re looking for a quality welder, do some research on the Esab to understand the specs.
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