How exactly do we describe cheap, for most people cheap is actually poor quality, but how true is that especially when it comes to a welding machine. Not very many people relate welding with a small workplace, the reason being the electrical equipment used in the process and the type of heavy metal that are characteristic of a welding workshop.
Cheap has got everything to do with poor quality but then again there are those companies that produce budget-friendly quality goods for the common man, to prevent rogue entrepreneurs from making knock offs of their original good quality products. This is to say that there are budget-friendly welding machine for home use that will otherwise not suffice in the commercial sector.
There are also the cheap welding machines that have been designed to handle small projects and can never handle a big welding surgery project before it falls apart. In the below excerpt we will, therefore, sample for you some of the best cheap/budget welders that you can adopt for your welding projects.
Best/Cheap Welder
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EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH HF TIG / Stick IGBT Welder
Apart from being budget-friendly the Everlast welder also has some of the most advanced features, while offering quality. Novice welders who wish to advance their career later in life will greatly benefit from this type of welder because it is easy to use and can guide a user on how to use the TIG welder.
Specs
- Weighs up to 40 Pounds
- Voltage is 240
- Comes with an Impact resistant Carry case
- Power ARC 140ST, 160STH, 200, 300
Using the Everlast power arc welder is pretty intuitive; first, if you take a look at the welding machine, you will realize that there is a digital display that helps a user to set the required or recommended current setting. And on the outside, the welder utilizes an impact-resistant carry case complete with a TIG kit.
And for the amp range control, the welder allows its users a foot pedal control and mind you the amp range is from 10 to 160. For those who have had the opportunity to interact with the welder, you will attest that it is indeed light in weight and efficient when it comes to power consumption. This is because it has incorporated the use of IGBT inverter technology.
Pros
- Provided digital display for current setting
- Affordable and efficient
- Features an automatic arc control
- IGBT inverter technology ensures efficient use of power
Cons
- Stinger and hose not working effectively
Verdict
Everlast power Arc is a good welding machine for both the professionals and the novice welders, operating it is easy and even more interesting is that it works to save power.
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Hobart 500559 is very effective when you want to use it at home as it can comfortably work with the household sockets. If you want to avoid disappointments while using this machine it would be best if you weld materials that are either ¼ inches or less.
Specs
- Weighs 65 pounds
- Dimensions 19x11x13 inches
- Amperage output: 25–140
- Wire Feed Speed Range 40 – 700 IPM
Hobart supports both the flux core and MIG processes; what’s more, is that the welder has incorporated a 5-position voltage control selector. The feature is convenient when it comes to welding thickness because it will offer you a smooth and stable arc.
Pros
- Equipped with a dual guard regulator which ensures a stable flow
- Can perform both Flux Core and MIG
- Features a five-position voltage controller selector
- Comes with a five-year limited warranty
Cons
- A bit highly-priced compared to other welders of the same standard
Verdict
Hobart 500559, is very functional given that it can work with both MIG and Flux core, the only major downside is that for it to function properly there are some resources required and yet it features a high price.
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Amico Power DC 160 Amp IGBT Inverter DC
If you are in need of a lightweight stick welder then the Amico Power DC 160Amp is your welding machine. And with regard to its arc requirements, the machine has the ability to run with both the AC and DC. The machine is also pretty lightweight making it convenient to carry over long distances for some little repairs.
Specs
- Weighs 14 pounds
- Dimensions 17x 6.5x 9.5 inches
- Included a 10 fit cable
- Comes with a 300A electrode holder
One desirable feature about the Amico power DC 160 Amp is that it can work without abnormalities against input voltage fluctuations. Another advantage is that it occupies minimal space, and is easy to move or carry around as it only weighs 14 pounds, and is whisper silent.
Amico power has incorporated a unique LED meter that is very rare on other welding machines; the feature comes effective on amperage control. If you decide to adopt the Amico as your welding machine then you can expect overload protection and over and under current protection.
Pros
- Features amperage control
- Is a lightweight thus easy to move
- Features an advanced control module IGBT, which helps improves the performance of the welding machine
- Automatically compensates for voltage fluctuation
Cons
- Comes with a one year warranty
- Needs careful handling or the handle will fall apart
Verdict
The only disadvantage with the Amico welding machine is that it is a stick only welder, otherwise, it will suffice on many levels, for example, it can guarantee the user overvoltage protection and automatic compensation for voltage fluctuation.
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The Goplus is not a mass of features and this you can tell from its extremely low price, but that does not mean that it is not effective. For starters, you do get four heat settings, and as you carry out your welding projects you have been provided with a knob that you can use to adjust the speed with which you feed the wire.
Specs
- Weighs 35 pounds
- Machine dimensions are 14x8x12 inches
- Incorporated 4 levels of current flow settings
- Users will get a reel of 0. 9mm, 0. 55lbs welding wire
Let’s start with the wire feeding speed where you have the option of up to 10 levels and up to four levels of current flow setting. What’s more, is that you also get four levels of adjustable welding speeds. A closer look at the Goplus you will realize that it comes with a variety of applications and features a portable design.
The machine can, therefore, be used on iron and steel, but if you have any other small repairs within your home then the Goplus MIG 130 is your companion. Though the gospel of welding dictates that you be extra careful when using the welding gun, manufacturers of the Goplus have been kind enough to include a safety control mechanism.
Pros
- Comes at an affordable price
- Features a strong design with high performance
- Upon purchase, users get a welding wire and mask
- Incorporated up to four adjustable heat settings
Cons
- Applicable only 110volts and 130 amps
- Wire feed not very steady
Verdict
Classifying the Goplus MIG 130 as incompetent would be totally unfair, one because it features a stainless outer body, so you can worry less about rust. The machine has also been made with automatic thermal safety protection and when it comes to performance it will perfectly weld your steel items and you can also tweak the heat settings via the four adjustable options.
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Forney Easy Weld 299 125FC Flux Core Welder
The Forney Easy Weld is especially convenient for home use, one because it occupies little space and second because it doesn’t need a gas cylinder to work. An interesting feature of the Forney welding machine is that the manufacturer has catered to both the professional and novice users by providing them with possible causes of troubleshooting and how best to rectify the mishaps.
Specs
- Weighs 51 pounds
- Machine dimensions are 12x 18x 24 inches
- Features 125 amp output and volt input is 120
- Can comfortably work with 2 and 10-pound spools
If you plan on adopting the Forney welding machine then it might interest you to know that it is a gasless flux core welding machine and can thus be used to carry out the small task within your home, such as repairs. For ease of use, the machine comes with a clamp that you can attach to your working surface.
And unlike other welding machines, the Forney needs for you to at least take a 30-minute lesson, to get well oriented with its functions, before you can put it to use.
Pros
- Does not occupy a lot of space during storage
- The manufacturer has included troubleshooting manual
- Has a ground clamp for safety
- Maintenance is pretty easy
Cons
- Comes with a six-month warranty
- The ground wires are short
Verdict
The Forney easy weld has not been constructed for the heavy metal surgery, but if you are to use it for home repair projects then you will be impressed.
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Using the Ironton flux-cored welder is pretty direct giving you little or no chances of messing up. However, be informed that the machine will disappoint you if you plan on using it with heavy-duty metal, but for small repairs then Ironton is your welder.
Specs
- Comes with a one year warranty
- Works with 115 volts and 20 Amp power
The only time you should expect minimal spatter is when you are using the professionally advanced machines. But with the budget-friendly type then spatter is the order of the day, however, for Ironton, it is a bit minimal but with satisfactory welding results. For ease of use, you have been provided with the ground clamps and some good anti-slip handles.
Pros
- Ironton is fairly priced
- Has the ability to weld 3/16 inches metal
- Incorporated a 6 feet power cord
- The machine is lightweight thus portable
Cons
- Aluminum products cannot be attended to
- Heat settings don’t have many options
Verdict
Though not very common in the welding industry, Ironton will blow you away with its capabilities, only that the manufacturer should have included other heat settings options.
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Ansen Portable Welder Welding Machine Gas
Beginners in TIG and Stick welding will benefit from this machine, so if you are looking to polish your skills or learn about welding there is no need to invest in a big professional machine that will give you a hard time in operation. Just use the Ansen portable welder because for starters you won’t have to dig too deep in your pocket to afford it.
Specs
- Cutting thickness12mm
- The machine comes with 2T/4T function
- Non-HF pilot arc Plasma cutting machine
- Incorporated High quality TRF-45-6-CC1 Plasma torch
By adopting the Ansen Portable Welder you do get the stitch and sports timers that enable a perfect alternation during welding. What’s more, power control is totally in your hands, as you are at liberty of setting either a high or lower power for your project. The Ansen Portable welder can be used on different types of metal such as carbon, alloy, copper, and stainless steel.
Pros
- Arc stability is effective
- Functional with both TIG and Stick welding
- The welding machine is lightweight thus portable
- Comes at an affordable price
Cons
- The welding machine doesn’t have a foot pedal
- Since it is a DC inverter, welding aluminum is next to impossible
Verdict
The Ansen welder machine is quite easy to operate can work on a number of steel metals and features a low price with a ground clamp for safety. So why not get yours, because despite its small size it is a mass of significant features.
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Tips for acquiring the best budget welder
Heat overload protection – whenever you are using a cheap welder there is every possibility that it will overheat, so how do you prevent your machine from becoming a disaster? Well, just get an overload protector that will shut the machine off when it has overheated.
Power Input- for starters it might interest you to know that if you experience power blackouts then you can utilize a gas-driven generator. The 110 volts welders are effective for home use, but if you plan on welding thick surfaces then you might have to use a welding machine with a power input of up to 220 volts.
Besides, you could also get the welding machine that can comfortably handle the dual voltage.
Application- The most important thing to consider when looking for a welding machine is for what purpose was it meant for? Some welding machines are best suited to do construction work; others are good for automobile repairs, while others can only work in general maintenance.
For example, when carrying out repairs, users will encounter different levels of thickness whereby they will need a multi-process welder if they are to get the required results.
There are different welding processes and all of them should be considered including the skills necessary before the process can be done successfully.
For example, we have the stick arc welding where the electrode is used to provide the filler metal; the process is quite involving and will, therefore; require the electrode rod to be replaced. Cleaning is also a necessity, for the above process and users can work outdoors on steel metals.
And if you want to do welding using the TIG arc welding machine then you can forget about using filler metal and instead an arc will be formed between the non-consumable electrode and the piece used in the process.
TIG welding is normally used when high-quality welds are needed and while using this welder AC will suffice for magnesium and aluminum, while DC will work well with titanium, brass, copper and stainless steel. And the good thing with using a TIG welder is that it works well with both the thin and thick surfaces.
If you are not well versed with using a TIG welding machine then it would be best to keep off the high powered machines or the professional jobs. Lastly, we have the MIG Arc welding, and here a wire feed welding machine is used to generate an arc that will join the metals during heating.
MIG can work well with steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum alloys; it can also suffice when working with thick metals.
