18 best welding machines, rating of models by reviews, price and quality

Classification of welding equipment

There are several classes of devices that differ in characteristics, purpose and use of consumables.

A strong permanent seam is created by thermal action on the edge of the parts. A filler material is added to the bath formed from the molten metal, which increases the mating properties.

This type of welding has several varieties:

1. Arc is the most common. It features a wide selection of equipment for performing work. In everyday life, inverters are mainly used. Semi-automatic devices perform operations in a protective gas environment. Welding in automatic mode requires minimal operator intervention: he only selects the program, and the electronics select the optimal parameters.
2. Gas with a burner and a cylinder for a combustible mixture.
3. Electron beam. It works based on the conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy.
4. Laser welding. It is used in industrial enterprises and ensures maximum processing accuracy.
5. Termite. Uses the restorative properties of magnesium. This releases a large amount of heat.
6. Electroslag. Works only in automatic mode.

Pressure welding uses the following technologies:

1. Point contact using copper rods, the diameter of which limits the contact area.
2. Resistance connection based on the Joule-Lenz law. The thermal effect of electricity is used.
3. Reflow, invented for joining large pipes underwater. The welding site is isolated using a special chamber.
4. The friction that occurs during rotation of one or both parts being welded gives the name to the technique of the same name.

In addition, there are welding tools and equipment for applying coatings using gas-thermal and vacuum methods, as well as using alloying. After such treatment, the quality properties of the workpiece surfaces increase.

Semi-automatic MIG and MAG machines

They are used for gas shielded fusion welding. The first one works with argon, helium and other substances of the inert group. That is why the name metal inert gas welding arose. The technology is called MAW - Gas metal Arc welding.

It eliminates the occurrence of chemical reactions during metal melting and has the following advantages:

• absence of toxic fumes;
• easy ignition and arc support;
• low wire consumption;
• the ability to connect thin parts.

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The device includes:

• current generator in the form of an inverter or transformer;
• gas cylinder with reducer;
• cables and hoses;
• electrode supply device.

The second type works in carbon dioxide (metal active gas welding). It is cheaper than inert, so welding is more economical. You can only work with alloy and low-alloy steels.

Most often, devices are purchased that combine both types of welding. This achieves the efficiency and versatility of the process.

Equipment with transformer

This is the oldest type of welding machine. However, due to the simplicity of the device, it is still used in businesses and at home.

Comprises:

• core;
• primary and secondary windings;
• housings.

An alternating current is generated at the output. During welding, metal is sprayed in all directions, which negatively affects the quality of the seam.

The advantages include:

• ease of design, use and maintenance;
• reliability;
• low cost;
• Efficiency up to 90%.

Among the disadvantages:

• large dimensions and weight;
• increased energy consumption for heating the device and an additional cooling fan;
• dependence on power supply quality - a decrease in network voltage directly affects the output current;
• the work requires welding skills; It’s difficult for beginners to hold a quality arc.

Eurolux IWM190 – the most inexpensive welding inverter

As is clear from the subtitle, the main advantage of the model is its low cost. It varies within a wide range of values: from 3.5 to 6.5 thousand rubles, depending on the region of residence. A large share of costs consists of logistics costs, which determines such a significant price range. Naturally, budget models use cheap components and equipment breakdowns are not excluded. To be fair, it should be noted that by that time the inverter will have already returned the money invested in it.

Who might be interested in this offer? The device is specially designed for beginners who plan to master the basics of the profession. It deserves the attention of all users without exception for whom performance is not a determining parameter. Eurolux IWM190 can not be used for a long time without fear of reduction or loss of functionality. The reason for this is the minimum set of technical capabilities of the device. There is also a significant drawback: the holders, clamps and cables included in the kit are of poor quality. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase accessories of the best level of performance.

Advantages

• Adjustment 10 - 190 A.
• Manufactured on the basis of IGBT transistors.
• Welding speed is high.
• Ventilation holes in the case for cooling.
• Operates at a voltage of 160 - 245 V.

MMA straighteners

In the classification of welding equipment, such units are located between inverters and transformers. They contain an additional component - a thyristor or diode rectifier unit. If you add a choke, you can adjust the current and other characteristics. This allows even an inexperienced welder to work.

The advantages of such welding machines include:

• fairly high quality seam;
• availability of welding cast iron and non-ferrous metals using special electrodes;
• arc stability and continuity;
• the ability to use the device in the home;
• low price.

The disadvantages of rectifiers and transformers are identical.

The best manufacturers of welding machines

Many companies are engaged in the production of welding machines, regardless of their type. But not everyone creates high-quality devices, as evidenced by even a modest warranty period. You can trust the following six tech brands:

• Aurora is a brand that assembles in China and has been supplying its products to Russia since 2007;
• Svarog is a domestic brand that creates more than 50 models of welding equipment;
• BLUEWELD is an Italian company that develops welding equipment for various purposes;
• RESANTA is an electrical engineering company with its head office in Latvia;
• Wester is a large Russian network, including one that develops equipment for repair and metal processing;
• Fubag is a German specialized manufacturer of devices for construction and repair work.

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Inverter devices

Among all types of welding machines, this is the most modern equipment, the main quality of which is ease of use and accessibility for buyers of different incomes.

According to the technology of the welding process, inverters are divided into the following categories:

1. MMA for manual welding. They work with coated electrodes, are small and lightweight, easy to maintain, with high-quality seams. These advantages have allowed them to become the most popular for home use and installation in small shops and workshops.
2. Semi-automatic MIG and MAG, more powerful. Designed for use in manufacturing plants.
3. For TIG inert gas welding. This is the name of a device for professional work with additional equipment and electrodes (consumable and non-consumable tungsten).
4. For CUT plasma welding. Mainly designed for cutting with high precision and edge quality. Can cut thick workpieces.

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Functionally, inverters are divided into several groups:

1. Lightweight, compact household ones, the most numerous on the market. You need to approach their purchase responsibly, study the specifications, choose large retail outlets and manufacturers.
2. More expensive professional ones. With their help, operations of any complexity are performed. Their advantages include reliability and durability even in large enterprises.
3. Specialized. Designed to work with point and laser technologies on an industrial scale.

Which welding machine is better to choose?

In order not to be disappointed in the chosen device, you need to immediately determine the purpose of the purchase. It is better not to skimp on welding machines for professional-level work and full-time income from welding metal objects. They must have good protection indicators and make the most invisible seams. Typically such devices cost several tens of thousands. But cheaper models with fewer customizable parameters are suitable if welding work must occur one-time or rarely. Also, amateurs do not need to chase a large number of additional functions. A hot start system will be enough to avoid damaging the seam.

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15 best welding machines – 2021 ranking

Plasma equipment

This type of welding machine is quickly gaining popularity among mechanical engineering manufacturing enterprises, shipyards, utility and repair services, and advertising agencies. This is facilitated by compactness, low energy consumption and safety in operation.

Devices can be jet or arc.

They are divided into:

• microplasma for processing workpieces of small thickness;
• models operating at medium and high currents.

Plasma in the apparatus is obtained using air, water vapor, and gases:

• oxygen;
• hydrogen;
• nitrogen;
• argon.

The nozzle is cooled and scale is removed from the edge of the metal using a gas or water stream. Materials up to 200 mm thick are available for cutting.

The advantages of plasma devices include:

• cutting and welding speed;
• precision of seams and cuts;
• no need to buy an additional gas cylinder;
• the operator is safe during operation;
• the arc is stable all the time;
• availability of manual and automatic mode;

• the workpiece is not deformed during the operation;
• ability to work in hard-to-reach places;
• rarely breaks, easy to maintain.

Let's compare the models

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Argon welding equipment

The seams obtained using such a device are neater than with MMA technology. They do not need to be stripped, and there are 8 types of metals available for joining. Despite the fact that their use in the home is limited, there are many plasma models on sale that do not differ in functionality from industrial ones.

Their components are the same:

• DC or AC power supply;
• gas reducer;
• burner of a special design;
• an oscillator to convert current into a high-frequency pulse to create an arc.

For argon arc welding, non-consumable electrodes are used, most often tungsten, with an increased service life.

Replacement with a new one occurs as it is used up. The argon environment makes it possible to process alloys that are inaccessible under other conditions due to oxidation in air and the formation of a film - amalgam.

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Advantages of the TIG method:

• the absence of local heating prevents deformation of the workpiece;
• due to the small thickness of the electrode, the seams are narrow, tight and neat;
• it is possible to use an additive;
• no slag crust is formed;
• no further machining of the joint is required;
• It is allowed to weld non-ferrous metals and stainless steel;
• No scale is formed that sticks to the surface of the part.

Equipment disadvantages:

• works slower than MIG;
• due to the wide burner, it is impossible to work in hard-to-reach places;
• ceramic nozzle limits visibility;
• to obtain a high-quality seam you need work skill;
• the second hand is constantly busy - it supplies the additive, which quickly runs out due to its short length (a large one is inconvenient to hold);
• high cost of tungsten electrodes;
• expenses for the purchase of argon;
• impossibility of working in strong winds due to unprotected parts (when argon is blown off, the weld pool remains unprotected).

Budget model FUBAG IR 200

Despite its modest cost (on average about 8 thousand rubles), the inverter “gives out” up to 200 amperes. It is advisable to use it not only for welding, but also for cutting metal workpieces. In work, you can use electrodes with a diameter of up to 5 mm, which makes it possible to perform almost all work on a personal plot or in an apartment. The power unit works well even in conditions of unstable power supply.

Among the additional functionality, users will be able to take advantage of anti-sticking, arc force and hot start. All of them will be useful for both beginners and experienced welders. The equipment's inclusion in the rating list was greatly facilitated by good assembly and high-quality components. There are few disadvantages, but they exist. The most significant is the short period of continuous operation - 4 minutes. After this, you need to let the inverter cool for 6 minutes and you can continue. So the unit is not suitable for commercial use.

Advantages

• Light weight.
• Efficient cooling.
• Good seam quality.
• Powerful welding cables.