Welding machines can be quite expensive at times. Together with the additional protective gear required, the cost can be unbearable. Luckily, there is a wide variety that you can choose from each suited for different needs and going at a different price. Therefore, armed with the right information required you can then proceed to make a well-informed decision on which would be the best budget welders. So how do you make the right choice?
Determine precisely what you need it for
Take enough time to assess the situation at hand and decide the job that needs to be done. This is important because failure to do so might lead to you buying a machine that doesn’t operate effectively under the conditions you intend to use it.
Low productivity is not economical. The need or intended use is mostly determined by two factors, namely; nature of the material and welding conditions.
For instance, if the material to be welded is made of aluminum then you should consider buying a Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welder. It will provide the consistent supply of heat required for proper welding of aluminum.
Check the power ratings
As a welder, you already know that different materials require different power outputs for proper welding. Thick materials need more power than thin ones.
High voltage welders are suitable for large projects and will require a source of power that can deliver stable output such as a generator. Low voltage welders, on the other hand, can be operated from the usual power outlets.
The welders operate on either AC or DC power. Those that use AC are usually cheaper compared to those using DC. When it comes to productivity, DC welders are popular since they operate over a wide range of power ratings which suits a wide variety of usage.
In terms of performance, they are much easier to control than AC welders and also offer better penetration. For cost-effectiveness when undertaking several projects consider using a welder with a combination of AC/DC.
Go through the specifications document
This contains a lot of important information concerning the machine at hand. For example, the document states the duty cycle of the machine which specifies the recommended time frame under which the machine can be used continuously without causing any damage.
Exceeding the duty cycle might cause overheating which spoils the machine. The document also specifies the expected power output of the welding machine and the required input for its optimum performance. Make sure you go for a machine with a large enough duty cycle to cater for your needs.
Do not opt for a machine with too large duty cycle specification as this is bound to be expensive. See this link to learn how you can get started with welding.
Bulk purchase
It is much cheaper to make a bulk purchase than a single purchase. This is so because most vendors usually operate on the principle of, the greater the purchase the more the discount.
So it is advisable to take time and plan carefully then purchase the welding machine together with the required accessories all at once.
Another effective way to practice bulk purchase is to collaborate with other welders who want to buy welding machines and then agree on the company offering the best budget welding machines to buy from.
Seek expert advice
Before making any heavy purchases you must seek advice from those who are experienced and knowledgeable in the field. They will advise you accordingly on which machines are the best in terms of performance and budget-friendliness. They can also point you to the trusted companies with a good reputation.
Additional accessories required for operation
Based on the welding machine, there will be various accessories required for its operation.
For instance, taking into account the Metal Inert Gas (MIG) type of welding machines, you will require a filler metal and various gases such as argon, helium, and carbon (iv) oxide depending on the particular use.
You need to consider the cost of these accessories in order to determine whether buying the machine will be cost-effective or not. One of the advantages of MIG welding machines is the low cost of filler metal.
Welding conditions
You need to buy a machine that will be able to perfectly weld when subjected to the conditions of your choice without requiring any costly modifications.
Stick welding, for example, can be used in windy outdoor conditions and on dirty or rusty materials.
TIG welders can be used on a wide range of materials such as steel, copper, iron, aluminum, and chromoly hence if you need a single machine that you can use on multiple metals it is the one for you.
If you plan to weld indoors you should go for a low voltage welding machine which requires an AC power supply not exceeding 240 volts, as this is the standard voltage supplied for domestic use. Click here to see more tips about getting a good budget welding machine.
Conclusion
Choosing the best budget welding machine can be a daunting task if you are not well prepared. Thus it’s advisable to conduct thorough research and consult the relevant sources before making any purchase. Also, remember that the machine doesn’t always have to be expensive to be of good quality. What matters most is the suitability of the machine to effectively meeting your needs at an economical cost. Use this article as a guide to help you choose the best budget welding machine.