Welder Tips and how to Buy the Right Welder

There are so many welders on the market it can be confusing to the average person as to which one to buy. For the most part, what you buy will be determined by the kind of project you will be doing most of the time.



If you are new to welding your first welder will probably be a stick or a wire feed welder because they are the easiest to use. A wire welder sometimes is easier because you will use a continuous feed into your gun as you continue to weld. In a stick welder, you'll need to change the electrode or "stick" periodically as it runs out. Also, the wire welder will be easier to use, give you better welds from the beginning and you can learn it relatively quicker than stick welding.



The next thing you will have to decide is the type of welding you will do most of the time. Generally there are two types: Either Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) or flux cored wire welding. These two are very different in their delivery so it is important to know the difference between the two. When you are going to be doing welding for small repairs, you probably will want to get an MIG welder because it is very versatile in the types of materials it can weld.



If you are going to use it in your garage at home or the same location, the MIG welder will be perfect. It is not very portable because you have to also use a container of shielding gas with it. If you are going to do a lot of outside welding, then you will probably want to use the flux cored wired welding. Since flux is already in your machine, you won't need a shielding gas and this makes it more portable. The only problem is that with this type of welder, you can only weld one type of steel.



Another idea is to go online and check out the many welding forums and ask about the various welders. You can read archives and ask specific questions about your needs, and receive guidance from other welders.



If you buy your welder through an industrial products manufacture you may find a welder that does both.



When you buy your welder it is also important to make sure you purchase the safety equipment need. For some you will need a full safety helmet and for others you will need at least safety goggles. However, you can be exposed to fumes, arcs that go haywire, electric shock and other hazards so you will want to make sure that you have what you need.



Other ideas for getting the welder you need include renting or buying used. In some situations either of these options can be a good idea. If you are only going to use a welder occasionally, you might consider renting one. If you are going to purchase a used one, it is a good idea to go with upper end purchases because they are made better than the cheaper models.



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