What’s the best tig welder for a beginner? It depends on what you want to do. If you plan to use it only in a home workshop, then one of the least expensive models might be perfect. But if you want something that can handle heavier industrial jobs, then your needs will be much different. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular welders and see how they stack up against each other.
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Best tig welder for beginner
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 models that are considered to be some of the best in their class. For each one, we’ve included a user-friendly guide to what you can expect.
LOTOS TIG200ACDC
You’ve heard about industrial strength welders that can be heavy and bulky. Well, the LOTOS TIG200ACDC inverter is one of the smallest arc welding machines available today. With a whopping 200 amp AC/DC output, you’ll be able to work with almost any kind of material so long as it’s not too thin! When you rely on this inverter for your commercial welding needs, there’s no need to worry about power consumption because it is very energy efficient: up to 80%!
The lotos hf start hand torch is perfect for anyone working with any project requiring precise welding of thinner gauge materials or delicate projects like jewelry making, cookware, etc.
The hf start has an oscillating arc technology so you never have to worry about waiting for it to light up or adding shielding gas which is super convenient if you’re in a hurry!
With the dual voltage of 110V or 220V, it makes the appropriate device available no matter where you need to set up your next project!
They are easy to install on the machine with hooks, and this permit eliminates the bulk of cables supply power to workpieces. You can rest assured that these things will suit your needs!
Benefits:
- Automatic/Manual selection.
- Provides amazing power for its small size and weight.
- Cools down quickly between welds which increase your productivity and lower your spending on electricity.
- You can use it with both 110V and 220V because of the built-in dual voltage technology.
- This useful inverter is very energy efficient and provides clean welds with less contamination.
Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i
Since 1919, Hobart has been the trusted name in welding and metal cutting. The Stickmate 160i TIG Welder is a small-format machine that’s phenomenally powerful. At just over 20 lbs, this welder is easy to carry around and store at home or at the office. It also features an electrode cable with a heavy-duty holder, ensuring there’s no need to find space for cumbersome cables all over your work surface while you weld. When you’re working away from home or looking for a sturdy travel option, it even comes with a clamp so you can secure it to nearly anything! This model sounds like the solution for when size matters–it weighs less than most full-sized machines on the market!
The 10 ft electrode cable, heavy-duty holder, 6.5 ft power cord with MVP adapters for 120V and 240V input power make the Stickmate 160i versatile in any situation.
With the hot start technology of these tig welders no more holding your finger on the trigger waiting for enough pressure before each weld starts right away. This technology saves you time when starting big projects so they don’t have time to sit around cooling off.
Benefits:
- Comes equipped with the “Hot Start” technology which provides you with an instant arc.
- The 6 ft power cord gives you plenty of room to work around your project without having to worry about cables getting in the way or tripping anyone nearby.
- Includes a 10 ft electrode cable for added convenience.
- This machine is very lightweight, weighing only about 20 lbs!
- Very easy to transport from one location to another.
2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X
Save time and money on your welding jobs with the 2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X. The retractable foot pedal provides great tig welding control, allowing you to weld thin-gauge materials accurately. This unit has an advanced inverter technology that uses IGBT technology for optimal fine voltage adjustments that are responsive without delay or ripple distortion during operation – perfect if you want a product for precision TIG welding on aluminum, stainless steel, or thicker metal.
The 2018 AHP AlphaTIG has a capacity of 200 amps and includes a “NEW” torch. It’s made for heavy-duty industrial use with interchanging 110/220 volts, perfect for fabrication work or home professionals. The unit offers TIG welding on aluminum, stainless steel, or steel along with precise flux-cored welding of thinner gauges.
This IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder is great for both small and large jobs. The quality of the welding with Advanced Inverter Technology cannot be matched!
The AlphaTIG features 200 amperes with start-inverter technology. This means no time is wasted when powering up or down, and many welders are in the position of doing repairs on-site where they lack welding power.
Benefits:
- Inverter technology provides constant fine voltage control, resulting in a cleaner arc for more accurate and controlled welding.
- Reacts to your trigger pull with a quick release of the foot pedal instead of a gradual ramp-up which saves you time on the job.
- Includes the TIG torch as part of this purchase.
- Comes with an AC/DC machine along with AC-only features to give you the most flexibility when choosing.
- Got capacity for large projects.
- Comes with 3 pulse settings: frequency, time, amperage%.
MIG155GSV
This MIG/Stick welder is perfect for the hobbyist or small business and can weld at either power level. At 155 amps it dual voltage dual current capability means you get versatility and ease of use no matter the situation. Check out this welder’s other features: a compact lightweight design that makes it easy to transport while also being stable on uneven surfaces; safety features like an automatic overheat and over-current protection; warning lights for Undervoltage and kickback, plus a wireless foot pedal interlock for a safe start-up. This enables the unit to last longer and operate safer while being more energy-efficient.
It welds steel that is ready for 220-volt input, in either flux-cored or sticks welding, with precision. It feeds wire at 78 inches per minute which offers infinitely adjustable wire speed and heat settings for precise work that is smooth.
Onboard controls allow you to select 2T mode (230 volts input) for short circuit protection as well as 4T mode (tungsten inert gas) for MIG or stick welding.
Benefits:
- Dual voltage and current capability at a price point that is below other comparable AC/DC machines.
- AC/DC operation allows you to use it for multiple tasks, such as MIG welding steel and flux-cored wire for thicker metal.
- All-metal drive roller gearbox offers up to 200 amps of output power for added durability over other models.
Forney 322
The Forney 322 is a well-rounded MIG, Flux Core, and Stick welder that’s perfect for both professional and personal use. Getting started is as easy as pulling out the provided gas hose, blowing debris away from the contact point, plugging in the power cord, and connecting it to your outlet! Once you’ve chosen your desired welding process (MIG or flux core) tuning dials on the machine will let you dial in just the right settings so you can start welding immediately – with quality results every time! This welder comes complete with an electrode set up for stick but still has room for one side of the spool gun/Tig torch combo unit to be tucked neatly below. Underneath are rubber feet to help keep it from moving around on anything other than thick carpet.
The Forney 322, 140-Amp MIG/Stick/TIG Welder 120-Volt is perfect for that weekend project or job you’ve been meaning to get done. It has the ability to weld steel (MIG), aluminum (Flux Cored) and even stainless steel (stick). With this machine, you can be confident in your welding ability with any type of metal because it comes equipped with a flowmeter and gas hose.
This amazing welder also includes a spool gun, Tig Torch, Foot Pedal which makes this tool complete for quick use.
Benefits:
- Comes with a spool gun and Tig Torch to make this MIG welder versatile for many different uses
- An automatic wire feeder makes metal work go much faster and smoother than other welders.
- Comes with a foot pedal for a safe start-up.
Buyer guide
Before you buy the best tig welder for you, there are a few things to take into consideration.
AC or DC?
AC welders use alternating current of electricity which is what regular home outlets provide. The two types of AC welders are MIG and TIG: TIG (tungsten inert gas) requires a pure argon/helium gas mix and works with stainless steel and aluminum because it can produce very high heat; this process also reduces the number of fumes produced during work. MIG (metal inert gas) uses an inert gas like carbon dioxide or argon as well as wire that contains flux. This wire sticks to the metal as it moves through the machine towards the gun where it heats up and melts before fusing to the metal. It works with steel and other metals but it cannot produce very high heat levels which makes it unsuitable for stainless steel and aluminum.
DC welders use a direct current of electricity which is what you’ll find in welding machines (but not home outlets). The two types of DC welders are stick and MIG: Stick (SMAW) uses an electrode covered in flux that creates a lot of smoke; this process also produces fumes. Because it can generate very high heat levels, the stick is great for welding thick metal such as sheet metal or heavy plate steel. MIG (metal inert gas) uses wire similar to TIG except no argon or helium gas is used- only carbon dioxide or argon will do. MIG wire contains flux and sticks to the metal as it moves through the machine towards the gun where it heats up and melts before fusing to the metal. It works with steel and other metals but cannot produce very high levels of heat which makes it unsuitable for stainless steel or aluminum.
Outlets
Power is measured in amps, voltage is measured in volts, and power (amps) multiplied by volts equals watts. The most common outlets at home are either 15-amp or 20-amp; the welder you choose should be compatible with one of these outlets. You can check what type of outlet you have by plugging something into that circuit- if it pops your breaker then you need to buy a different welder that has less wattage than your breaker can handle.
Experience
If you’re just starting out then I suggest buying a cheap welder with the option of upgrading later on once you get the hang of it. This will save you money in the long run because you won’t have to throw out something that is virtually useless. If you’re an expert metal worker then you probably already know what features and tools you need- so don’t look at the beginner’s section!
Price
The price of a welder can vary significantly depending on the brand and all of the extra features it comes with. If you’re a beginner then I suggest staying away from high-end pieces or you’ll end up spending more than what’s necessary to get started.
FAQs
Some frequently asked questions about these amazing tools are:
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you find the best tig welder for beginners. Just remember, there is no magic tool that can instantly make you an expert; practice makes perfect! So stay persistent and don’t get discouraged. Have fun and enjoy the process of learning!
Oh and before I forget: if you don’t have a welding mask then buy one. You can use sunglasses or swim goggles. Don’t forget your gloves too- I prefer leather welding gloves because they’re stretchy and gives a firmer grip on tools.
Thank you, and happy welding!