Semi-automatic welding machine: which one is better to choose - rating and review of inverter-type devices according to tests

• What to look for when choosing a semi-automatic welding machine
• The best manufacturers of semi-automatic welding machines
• The best inexpensive semi-automatic welding machines
• The best semi-automatic welding machines price-quality
• The best professional semi-automatic welding machines
• Let's compare the models
• Which semi-automatic welding machine is better to choose?

A semi-automatic welding machine is a practical choice for owners of houses and cottages, as well as car owners who do car maintenance themselves. The main advantage of the semi-automatic machine is ease of use and high-quality seam. There are different devices on sale, so it’s easy to get confused. We present to your attention the best semi-automatic welding machines of 2021.

What to look for when choosing a semi-automatic welding machine

The main operating characteristics of the semi-automatic welding machine can be found in the description and instructions. They need to be taken into account in full, since each point is equally important. Parameters to be taken into account when choosing:

1 Maximum current – ​​in combination with the constant switching factor. It determines the areas of application of the semi-automatic device, as well as the so-called safety margin. There are also confusions with welding current. There is simply no such adjustment on semi-automatic machines - only adjustment of the burner voltage is available. The lower the constant switching factor, the more often you will have to pause during operation.

2 Power and range of operating voltages are important when you plan to power the semi-automatic device from a weak electrical network in the private sector or garage. The lower the power consumed by the device, the less voltage drops will occur during operation. Accordingly, the lower the threshold of the voltage range, the higher the drawdown the semi-automatic device will maintain without failures in operation.

3 The ability to change polarity is an important point when welding flux-cored wire. The functionality of the device and the list of works that can be performed depend on this moment.

4 Availability of additional modes - they expand the functionality of the installations, although they increase the price. Typically, semi-automatic machines come with an MMA mode - manual arc welding.

Before making a purchase, decide on the thickness, types of materials to be welded, dimensions of the objects to be welded, and the length of the seams. The intensity of use of a semi-automatic device is also important, as are the capabilities of the electrical network (home, country).

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Operating principle and device

Any of the simplest, most powerful and generally the best semi-automatic welding machines are equipment that connects metal surfaces by melting their edges. The electrode is a wire wound on a coil located inside the housing. But let's take a closer look - all such devices consist of the following functional units:

• burner;
• a power source equipped with a control unit (panel), as well as manual adjustment controls, and with indication means;
• a reservoir with a volatile compound (which can be either active or inert) and components for this container;
• a hose cable that supplies electricity and the working medium to the sleeve, and a wire for connecting to ground;
• automatic wire feeding device.

The operating principle is as follows:

1. gas flows to the burner;
2. the power source is started, in our case it is of an inverter type, not a transformer type - to effectively reduce the voltage;
3. current is supplied;
4. the wire (remember, an alternative to the electrode in its classical sense) unwinds at the required speed; if flux is used, a funnel may be available as additional equipment;
5. the additive melts due to an electric arc appearing between the contact surfaces.

The same gas provides the proper level of protection. The power supply can be different: with single- and three-phase voltage, with mode switching (220 V to 380 and vice versa) from the control panel, using contactors, and so on.

The best manufacturers of semi-automatic welding machines

The manufacturer's reputation is no less important than the number of functions available. By choosing equipment from trusted brands, you automatically rely on quality. We recommend equipment from the following brands:

• Fubag (Germany) – sells a wide range of welding machines and related accessories. Semi-automatic welding machines from this company have high technical parameters and are moderately expensive.
• Svarog (Russia) is a joint Russian-foreign brand. Large dealer networks guarantee maximum, high-quality customer service.
• RESANTA (Latvia) is a leader in its segment. Inverters are reliable, economical, and durable.
• ELITECH (Russia) – the main production facilities are located in Belarus and China, it has its own quality control system.
• Aurora (Russia) - provides an official guarantee for all equipment; production facilities located in China are used for assembly.

The cost depends not only on the brand, but also on the set of functions. If you want to save money, choose a simple model from a well-known brand.

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The best budget semi-automatic welding machines

This category includes devices whose main advantage is price, and all other advantages are additional. As a rule, they are intended for solving everyday problems, although there are also representatives with the help of which you can perform certain minor operations in production.

Elitech IS 200P

With low power consumption - up to 5.4 kW - it uninterruptedly withstands drawdowns of up to 160 V, so it is great for a personal garage workshop. It is also distinguished by the presence of a cooling system that helps maintain 80% duty cycle at 180 A. The location of the controls is on an inclined panel, feel free to give a plus for ergonomics.

Although the settings themselves are quite small - apart from the feed speed and voltage, you can’t adjust anything else, and this is a relative disadvantage.

Resanta SAIPA-200

This model gained widespread popularity and a place in the ranking of budget inverter-type semi-automatic welding machines due to its current reserve - even at 200 A, it maintains the duty cycle at a level of 70%, which is enough to solve everyday problems.

Although there is nothing else to boast about: the settings of analogues from other manufacturers are more flexible, and the equipment is richer. There is another advantage - it is a Euro connector, but with a sleeve of 2 m it becomes only a conditional advantage. But fame does its job - people continue to buy equipment.

Resanta SAIPA-165

A compact device that supports conventional wire and flux, but with a diameter of only up to 0.8 mm, focused on working in a carbon dioxide environment. One of the cheapest, so it is often ordered by amateurs.

It is not suitable for serious work, since at 160 A it gives 70% duty cycle, which limits its use, including in the MMA mode (up to electrodes up to 3 mm thick). At the same time, it is not the most stable and reliable, with a not very practical connection to the sleeve. Attracts only by the price.

Let's compare the models

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Review of inverter-type semi-automatic welding machines: the best in the middle class

This category includes universal devices that are quite functional to solve any household or amateur problem, but do not have some specialized options and therefore find limited use in production.

Svarog PRO MIG 200 SYNERGY (N229)

Works with all types of wire, in TIG DC and MMA modes, does not overheat at either 160 or 200 A. It features convenient arc control, which can be adjusted in a “synergic” mode, that is, according to the selected program. Supports 2T and 4T, due to auto-activation VRD is safe even in conditions of high humidity.

The only negative is the lack of a TIG AC function, so it is not suitable for light alloys.

AuroraPRO Speedway 200

With massive reels designed for large volumes of work. If you have a private workshop or car service center, and you are looking for a suitable semi-automatic inverter welding machine, here is the one you should choose first. Speedway two hundred from the AuroraPRO series will provide the required production volume, will appeal to the classic mechanical regulators, and will be able to operate safely and non-stop at 200 A in MIG mode with 60% duty cycle.

The only drawback, and only a conditional one, may seem to be its massive dimensions.

Svarog ARCTIC MIG 250 Y (204)

Compact, despite the large coil, designed for connecting thin-walled elements. Focused on long-term operation - at 200 A it cooks continuously, and this is with efficiency (consumes up to 14 A) and an increased power factor - up to 0.85.

Among the relative disadvantages are the too simple feed mechanism (two-roller) and the lack of polarity reversal.

AuroraPRO Overman 200

Focused only on wire, but on any wire, including aluminum. Its advantage is that it has a lower operating voltage threshold of 140 V, which expands the possibilities for adjusting the current-voltage characteristics. The arc and current are adjusted separately, which is also convenient.

The disadvantage is the relatively large weight (15.5 kg) and dimensions (482 by 197 by 466 mm).

Svarog MIG 200Y (J03)

A life hack that perfectly tells you how to choose a semi-automatic welding machine - reviews: which is better, which is worse - people who have actually used the devices talk about all this and much more. And many praise this particular model - because it has the following qualities:

• ease of learning;
• flexibility in configuration (you can adjust voltage, inductance, arc current);
• heating connection, allowing you to solve problems in the cold;
• fifteen-kilogram bays.

The only downside is the cost and the fact that the wire drawing speed cannot be changed.

Fubag INMIG 200 Plus

The German approach is immediately felt: the functionality of the equipment has been expanded. The MIG/MAG mode is easy to program, the SPOT option allows you to make short seams, MMA (up to 170 A) and TIG (up to 200 A) work is also possible.

True, there are also a lot of disadvantages: with a sharp drop in voltage, failure is likely, the wire is supported only 0.8 mm, the electrodes are 2 mm, the duty cycle coefficient is quite small.

Which semi-automatic welding machine is better to choose?

There is a huge selection of welding equipment on sale. You can choose the solution that suits you in terms of price, quality, and set of functions. When compiling the rating, cost, consumer properties, and prevalence of models were taken into account. There are options for household, professional and universal use.

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Which semi-automatic welding machine is better to buy?

The wire in the tool performs two functions simultaneously. It serves both as a filler material and as one of the contacts for igniting the arc. This allows continuous seams up to four meters in length. Convenience of operation is ensured by the absence of a burning electrode that requires constant replacement.

The main elements of the device are:

• inert gas cylinder,
• filler wire spool,
• gearbox,
• burner,
• power supply.

Depending on the type of instrument, the features of its design may vary slightly.

When choosing a machine, you need to pay attention to the wire diameter and welding current. These indicators depend on the thickness of the metal being processed and on each other, since a small-diameter wire with a high current will quickly melt before reaching the part being connected:

• For metal up to 1 mm thick, the wire diameter must be at least 0.6 mm, and the current strength must be from 30 A.
• Metal elements of large thickness (from 5 mm) require wire with a diameter of at least 1 mm and a current of 150 A for processing.

The performance of the device is affected by power consumption. For domestic use, it is recommended to purchase tools with a power of no more than 4000 W. This will protect the network from overloads, while allowing you to process metal up to 3 mm thick.

For private workshops, it is recommended to use devices with a power of 7000 W or more. With their help it is possible to manufacture gates, doors and other complex structures.

Additional important features of the device include the length of the welding torch, inductance adjustment, support for automatic shutdown and digital display.

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