subject: What Welding Machine To Select [print this page] Many of us often faced with the problem selecting the right machine suitable for our welding job. Which machine should I buy for my welding applications? This is a difficult question to answer because there are very expensive branded machines as well as very cheap machines are available in the market. In fact, now you are grappled with the problem of narrowing the choice. The top branded machines seem extremely expensive today and you may be amazed at the prices that reputed manufacturers charge for their machines. This means that there is substantial increase in demand for welding machines due to the rapid expansion of the metal industry globally.
Besides above, you may notice that a multipurpose machine which you bought few years ago for US$ 1500 will cost you today, double that price. Sometimes, you may notice even the low capacity machines will cost you more than the ones you are using.
This current trends on price increases of branded machines are hurting the people and they have no choice but to move away from the reputed brand name companies. There are new and cheaper brands appearing in the market that we never would have thought few years ago because of reliability and quality. Now the time has changed, the buyers tend to show favorable attitude towards such cheaper machines. Under the present global economic down turn, many people tend to take risk by opting for such cheaper machines.
If you are looking for an inverter type welding machine, the following brands can be considered: Miller, Arcon, Workhorse, Migatronic, ESAB, Lincoln, Thermal Dynamics, Northern Industrial, etc., However, if you do not need an inverter type machine, its better to select a single phase transformer which may be highly suitable even for a serious welder.
If you still want to go for reliable brands, you can select a brand machine with 3 year warranty namely Lincoln or Miller. These machines can be used for TIG welding. If you do not weld aluminum, its better to select a machine that can do stick welding rather than selecting an expensive TIG and MIG combo machine. Similarly, you do not need to buy a machine with fancy foot pedal, if you can weld with scratch TIG with single heat setting. Also, you can select a less expensive stick rod machine and use it for TIG welding.
It is important to look for energy efficiency when selecting a welding machines. For example, today with the inverter technology and TIG designed machines seem to use less energy and have become lighter while providing more stable arc.
If you need a machine with square-wave for aluminum welding, then you are talking about precision welding and the associated investment may be high.
Along with the above, best advise is to stick with the a good name brand if possible, however, if you still opt for unknown branded machine, its better to check all reviews, buyer comments, the back-up service, spare part availability and above all get the best warranty. This means selecting the right welding machines is not that easy as we think, its a welding professionals or the entrepreneurs job to select the most suitable machine having the right capacity and technology while taking into account of his current and future capacity and specialization. Hence, selecting a good welding machine is a rational and a professional decision and not for the layperson.
