Why a MIG Welder? Well because you will achieve a uniform weld bead that is slag free, and you wouldn’t need to do much clean up after you have finished. What’s more is that you can do your welding from any position and when compared to TIG welding MIG is quite intuitive, as working the machine does not involve a steep learning curve.
Metal Inert Gas Welding involves at least up to four components to achieve a complete and powerful weld. You will, therefore, need a consumable wire electrode, shielding, weld metal, the parent materials, and a welding gun. The latter does the most job as it ensures that the wire electrode melts and is deposited as filler metal.
Shielding gas is then used in the process to protect the weld during the solidification process. In recent times the market has been saturated with different MIG welders from different companies, and since we understand the problem of choosing the best one, we have sampled for you some of the best MIG welders under 1000.
Comparison Table
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Best MIG welder under 1000
The Lincoln MIG Welder 208/230
The one major advantage of using the Lincoln MIG welder is that you get to use a variety of wire thickness with zero tangling, while ensuring a smooth arc. Now if you are a beginner then this machine will be of great benefit because you can sharpen your skills while using it on different types of plate metals.
Specs
- Machine weights 220.0
- Machine dimensions 31 4/5″ X 18. 9″ X 38 4/5″
- Input Voltage 208/240VAC
- Output Range 30 to 300A DC
The Lincoln MIG welder is able to run two processes that are the MIG and the Flux cored. Some of the benefits that you are going to encounter as you use the welding machine are that you can have access to meters display, which will give you information on your wire feed speed, and the actual voltage that you are currently using.
The welder comes incorporated with a magnum PRO and gun cable that is about 4.5 meters, the essence of which is to enable you to reach your work unit with ease. The machine has also incorporated the Diamond core technology that will ensure you get a perfect arc, and low spatter when working with aluminum, steel or stainless steel plates.
Pros
- The wire-speed feed is adjustable
- Users get to know the voltage that they are operating under
- Effective for beginners
- Can take on a variety of wire thickness
Cons
- Problem with wire-speed deliverability
- The machine is heavy thus less portable
Verdict
Lincoln is a reputable company, and you shouldn’t expect anything less than perfection when you adopt the welding machine. However, be mindful when it comes to picking the welder so that you don’t end up with a professional welding machine while you want a beginner machine.
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The Hobart handler 210MVP is a performance-oriented type of welder that offers its users a balance of functionality and durability. The machine is easy to use for the new beginners and professional enough to be adopted by the experts in the welding industry.
Specs
- Comes with a 3-year limited warranty
- Machine dimensions are 24 x 18.6 x 13.2 inches
- Can weld up to weld 24-ga. to 3/8in steel in a single pass. Plus
- Spool hub assembly can handle 4 or 8-Inch spools
Hobart handler 210MVP is a dual voltage welder and can thus be plugged into a 115/230v receptacle. The machine’s effectiveness is visible by its ability to weld 24ga to 3/8 inch steel with just a single pass. And to achieve the perfect weld, you have been provided with up to 7 voltage settings.
Varied metal types can be used with the Hobart handler such as steel and aluminum. The quick-change drive roll system enables a user to alternate between different wire sizes. Given that the machine can work with various types of metals, it can also be adopted for either heavy welding surgeries such as the auto body repair or the simple home repairs.
Pros
- Has incorporated variable voltage control
- Features the thermal overload protection
- Made with an intuitive design making it a perfect machine for use by beginners
- Drive roll system can handle a variety of wire thickness
Cons
- Not effective when handling heavy-duty jobs
- The ground wire is a bit stiff
Verdict
The Hobart handler is a high-performance machine that can be utilized by both the professional and novice users. And even more important is its ability to effectively handle different types of metals.
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Lotos MIG 140Amp MIG wire welder
If you want to talk about preciseness in welding then the Lotos MIG 140 Amp is exactly that, the machine comes incorporated with a 2T/4T switch complete with 2 digital displayers that are convenient for adjusting the welding voltage and the wire feeder speed.
Specs
- The welding capacity is 24 gauge -3/16 inches
- Maximum output Amps is 140
- Input voltage is 110v
- Rated Output–140-amp MIG welder
With the Lotos MIG 140 Amp, you don’t have to worry about wire feed speed because you will be served by a high-quality stable aluminum wire feeder. And in case you want to make a switch from + to –, then you have been provided with a ground cable quick connector and the 2T/4T switch enables extended periods of welding.
The Lotos Company has managed to stay abreast when it comes to digital technology, to which end users are able to view their wire speed, which features a precision full adjustment system drive, so the chances of tangling or wire crushing are very minimal.
For the new users in the welding industry setting up the Lotos welder is very easy and takes as little as 10 minutes for your machine to be up and running. The above is possible thanks to the reliable and durable transformer technology that enables the machine to collaborate with a 110v wall socket.
Pros
- The welding machine is fairly priced
- Can perfectly work with a 110v receptacle
- Incorporated a reliable and durable aluminum wire feeder
- Can be used to weld aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel
Cons
- The warranty lasts only 3 months
- Does not incorporate a spool gun for the aluminum welders
Verdict
The Lotos machine now gives professional and novice welders a chance of coming up with professional welds without having to break the bank. The machine is a mass of significant features some of which are adjustable and others that you can view functionality while in the process of welding.
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Lincoln Electric CO welding machine comes with almost all the accessories you will need for your welding project. And the suitable types of metal recommended for use with this type of welder are Mild steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Specs
- Rated Output 90A @ 19. 5VDC
- Overall Width 10-1/8 In
- Overall Height 13-3/4 In
- Overall Depth 17-7/8 In
Unlike the high-end welding machines that will give you a headache during assembly the Lincoln Electric CO, comes intact and ready for use. The welder does not feature the anatomy of handling the heavy jobs, it would, therefore, be best if you stuck with the small welding jobs and repairs in the homestead. Lincoln CO might not be a high-end welding machine but it is effective when it comes to performing tasks.
One of its notable features is its brass to brass gun connection that is resourceful in enhancing connectivity. The drive system that incorporates the cast aluminum is durable and able to keep the wire streamlined during welding, a feature that has been enabled by the machine’s adjustable drive system.
Pros
- The welding process has minimal spatter
- The machine features an adjustable drive system able to alternate between different wire thickness
- Brass to brass gun connection enhances connectivity
- Comes at a fair prices
Cons
- Controlling the machine is a bit hard
- Quite heavy compared to welding machines of a similar standard
Verdict
The Lincoln electric CO has been designed for the small welding jobs and for beginners, using the machine is quite intuitive and it also comes at a fair price. Given that its brand name is Lincoln, users should expect to get their jobs well done.
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Now don’t let that 115-volt household current by Hobart Handler deceive you into thinking that the welding machine is not effective, on the contrary, it can serve in both the professional and beginner capacity.
Specs
- Machine dimensions 19 x 11 x 13 inches
- Wire Feed Speed Range 40 – 700 IPM
- Amperage output: 25–140
- Welds 24 ga up to ¼
The machine has incorporated a 5 position voltage control selector that ensures your welding thickness features a smooth and stable arc. The machine does have some weight and though portable, you might have to invest in a movement cart. What’s more is that the bottom part of the welder has casters, which gives you varied options when it comes to placing it on the ground.
Hobart Handler 140 MIG is also very versatile in terms of usage and functionality, professionally the machine can be used on the auto body panels, and metal art can also benefit from this welding machine including other farm jobs.
Restrictions abound when using welding machines especially if it is TIG, however, for the Hobart the manufacturer thought it wise to incorporate a 10ft power cord so that users can move with ease while working.
Pros
- Can handle different welding tasks
- Can be easily operated off a 115v standard household current
- Features a five-position voltage control selector
- Can weld up to ¼ inch of mild steel
Cons
- Features a noisy cooling fan
- Wire feed knob is not very effective
Verdict
Horbat Handler is a general use machine that can handle the varied projects very well. The provided features are well within the capabilities of the machine and even more appealing is its ability to work continuously without giving in, in the middle of the week.
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There is no way that anyone can go wrong with the Lotos MIG 175, the welding machine has outdone its competitors by giving its users the ability to weld aluminum using the spool gun. The machine also boasts of the transformer technology that enhances the durability and reliability of the welder.
Specs
- Can welder 3/16″
- Input voltage: 220/240V AC.
- Rated Output–175-amp MIG welder
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
The Lotos MIG 175 welder is a versatile machine when it comes to the types of metal that can be worked on, to which end you can use it on, aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel. Beginners wishing to hone their skills can have the machine up and running in less than 15 minutes, and when it comes to voltage, your 220v receptacle will suffice while providing top-notch welds.
The fact that the manufacturers included a spool gun to the unit should be a bonus given that some welding machines come without the spool gun and users have to purchase it separately. The incorporated spool gun will, therefore, work on your aluminum plates and you can expect to achieve a depth of up to 3/8 or a thinner aluminum plate.
The accessories that are necessary for use with the welding machine have been included and you should thus expect to find a ground clamp cable, a MIG torch, an argon regulator, a gas hose and an aluminum spool gun.
Pros
- Works with a variety of metals and achieves the perfect weld
- Incorporated a durable and reliable transformer technology
- Can easily connect to a 220v wall socket
- The unit comes with a spool gun
Cons
- Features a single-stage trigger
- Cannot support dual voltage
Verdict
For a professional finish to your welding projects then the Lotos MIG 175 is your companion. The machine has outdone some of the high-end welding machines when it comes to functionality and without sacrificing performance and quality, the welder comes at an affordable price.
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The Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-I MIG Welder
When compared to other guns the Forney’s 8 feet MIG gun is a little bit shorter but does a perfect job. The welder is convenient for different types of projects but most that include repairs. The machine’s lightweight design makes it convenient for home use, you can thus transport it to different rooms with ease.
Specs
- Machine dimensions 16.7 x 8 x 8.1
- 140 Amp output
- Comes with a 12-month warranty
- 120-volt input
Although the Forney easy weld is an effective welding machine you might have to dig a little deeper into your pockets for the accessories that are meant to be used with the machine. Some of which are the welding nozzles, the flux core MIG wires, an Anti spatter spray, a diffuser, and a nozzle gel. The above comes with manufacturer recommendations on the specific type that you should get, so be sure to check.
The welding machine can achieve a ¼ inch depth courtesy of the powerful 140 Amp output; the welding unit also comes incorporated with an 8-inch ground clamp, a 20A-15A adapter, and an 8 inch MIG gun. Electrical equipment should be cared for, and that includes not using it frequently. However, for the Forney Easy Weld, you can run it every day, and the machine can also comfortably accommodate up to 2 or 10-pound rolls of wire.
Pros
- The welding machines powerful 140Amp can weld up to ¼ inch of plate
- The welder is portable, thus convenient for home use
- Can handle 2 to 10 pounds rolls of wire
- Features a wire feed speed control
Cons
- The MIG gun is only 8 feet
- Wire feed rate is a bit slow
Verdict
Forney Easy Weld is a reputable company that produces good quality welding machines and the Forney Easy weld 261 is a perfect welding unit for beginners who can sharpen their welding skills while conducting some home repairs.
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Conclusion
Though recommended for home use, it is not advisable to use a MIG Welder inside the house. What’s more is that when compared to TIG, MIG welders tend to be more affordable and user intuitive. The latter goes to show that beginners can learn alot from MIG welding machines. Important to note is that you might not be able to achieve the desired results when using MIG machines on thicker plates.
Consumables used with MIG welding machines can be easily found in local stores, and when it comes to the cleanliness of weld metal, MIG is quite encouraging and this is so because of the shielding gas used in protecting the arc.
