As a welder, you’re only as good as the equipment that you’re working with. There have been advancements over the years and it can be overwhelming to choose the right equipment as the market is flooded with variety from different brands. You also have to keep in mind there are different welding processes available which makes it even tougher to make a decision. The main objective of welding, whether done at an industrial scale or a DIY project is to produce a quality build.
No Universal Welds-All
As we’ve already mentioned, there are different types of welds and the type of equipment to be used will also vary. That is why it is crucial that you’re looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each process before making a purchasing decision. In order to determine the best welding process, there are a couple of factors that should be considered and some of them include:
- Thickness of material
- Type of material being welded
- Welding position
- Time requirements
- The type of power source for the welding job
MIG Welding
With this type of welding, a wire electrode is fed to a spool which is also fed into a pre-select speed.
What Process Suits Your Needs
This should be a straightforward process to determine if you’re an experienced welder. Do you want to restore muscle cars? Are you creating metal sculptures? The process that you choose will hugely depend on your needs. Make sure that you’re identifying the project that will make the most amount of time before you decide to work.
Factors that Determine the Budget
You might have a specific budget in mind and it is always good to be flexible since you can ever know what will be needed depending on the scope of the project. The type of welder that you intend to buy should suit the specific job for your project. Think about the end goal and what you intend to achieve with the welding job. Make sure you’re looking at the power requirements and the amperage when selecting your preferred welder. Other than the cost of the welder itself, you should also be looking at the cost of accessories which can add up pretty quickly. Some of the accessories are going to be an absolute necessity. That is why it is crucial that you’re setting aside some extra money to take care of the accessories.
Research
Don’t be in a hurry to make a purchasing decision. Make sure that you’re researching different welders and the ones that are the right fit depending on the scope of your projects. One of the best places to get information is on forums. There is an active community of welders who are always willing to share information and their experiences with different types of machines. There are top small and portable recommendations that you will find valuable in your search for the best welder.
Choosing a Welding Power Source
The process of choosing a welding power source is similar to buying a car. You need to look for a product that is efficient and doesn’t cost a lot in terms of maintenance. You also need something that is powerful yet easy to handle at the same time. There are multiple welders that can be used on different processes if you’re looking to save on costs. If you’re just starting out, no amount of research will be enough to facilitate the decision-making process. That is why it is important that you’re reaching out to industry veterans to get their opinion.
This will save you the time and the hustle of having to do serious research and still fail to settle on a welder. At the end of it all, you will need to be a skilled welder if you’re to make the best out of your tools. As they say, a bad workman quarrels with his tools. A skilled craftsman is more concerned about the quality of output rather than having the best welder.
To sum it up, getting the right equipment for your welding endeavors doesn’t have to be complicated or challenging. You just need to make sure that you’re doing your due diligence because the equipment doesn’t come cheap. Don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest as you might have to do repairs or a replacement sooner than you think which will be expensive in the long run. Don’t just be focused on what you have at your disposal but what you can do with it.