Welders use high heat to melt metal parts together. When the parts cool, they fuse to form a solid weld. It’s a very common practice in the industrial world. It is also a popular hobby among DIYers and enthusiasts.
When you buy a welding machine, make sure it can weld the types of materials that you will be working with most often. For instance, if you will be welding a lot of aluminum or steel, you should buy a welder that can weld both of these metals.
You’ll also want to check the maximum amperage for each type of metal. You should be able to find this information in the product sales literature for your chosen welder. You’ll need to adjust the amperage settings a little bit each time you weld, because different metals can be quite thick and require slightly different amperages to weld properly.
If the amperage is too low, it can cause the electrode to burn out before you have a chance to weld all of the pieces together. In a situation like this, it’s a good idea to buy a model that has a higher amperage than you will need so that you can get the best possible results when you weld.
Similarly, when you’re choosing a welder, consider the type of fuel that it will run on. Some machines will run on gasoline or diesel, while others are powered by a generator. This is especially important if you’re welding outdoors, where an engine-driven machine may not be ideal for certain projects.
The most common types of welding machines include MIG and stick welders, which can be used on a variety of metals and thicknesses. They are very easy to learn and provide consistently strong welds that don’t need much cleaning.
Another common type of welder is the arc welder, which uses an electric arc to create the heat needed to join two metals together. It’s a common method for welding large pieces of metal, such as those in construction.
There are several types of arc welders, but the most popular is MIG (metal-arc welding). The most important feature of a MIG welder is its variable feed speed. This allows the welder to concentrate on the weld itself, rather than wasting energy on maintaining a constant feeding rate.
MIG is usually the welding of choice for do-it-yourselfers and hobby welders who don’t have a lot of money to spend on equipment. You can find a basic MIG welder for under $100, but you’ll need to budget a little more for an all-in-one package that includes the MIG gun and spool.
When you’re buying a MIG welder, take the time to read the product sales literature for recommendations about the metal and wire size that will work best for the material you intend to weld most often. You’ll need to set the amperage and spool speed of the machine accordingly.
Depending on the model, you may need to adjust the amperage setting a little bit each time you weld, since different metals can be quite thick and require a slightly different amperage to weld properly. If you’re unsure what size electrode to use for the material you intend to weld, there are charts available that recommend electrode sizes.