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wikipudia > Tools > 15 Best Mig Welders in 2020 – Full Review & Guide
15 Best Mig Welders in 2020 – Full Review & Guide

15 Best Mig Welders in 2020 – Full Review & Guide

March 3, 2020 by Robert flex

In the construction site or a small workshop, the welding is a universal fact, where the metals are melted for crafting a new structure or joining up two different metals. Because of the emission of high electric arc within the wire electrode and metal piece, the safety of the employees must be ensured while they are welding something. It is possible only when you use the best MIG welder for completing these works.

After extensive research, we choose the 14 market-leading MIG welders for reviewing. In this review guide, we also incorporate significant issues for buying the most workable MIG welder that assist you in getting the suitable one for your workshop.

Related Tools : Best Oscillating Tool Review and Guide 2020

Table of Contents

  • 1 Top 10 Best MIG Welder Table
    • 1.1 Hobart  500554
    • 1.2 LOTOS MIG175
    • 1.3 Hobart 500559
    • 1.4 Goplus MIG 130
    • 1.5 Hobart 500553
    • 1.6 Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP
    • 1.7 Forney Easy Weld 299
    • 1.8 Miller Electric 141 MIG Welder
    • 1.9 Hobart 500554001 MIG Welder
    • 1.10 Everlast Power ARC 200ST
    • 1.11 Forney 309
    • 1.12 Lincoln Electric K2185
    • 1.13 Longevity MIGweld 140-140Amp
    • 1.14 Hobart 500536001
    • 1.15 What is welding
    • 1.16 What is MIG welding?
      • 1.16.1 Advantages of  MIG welding
      • 1.16.2 Disadvantages of MIG welding
    • 1.17 How to choose the right MIG Welder 2020
    • 1.18 How to arc weld?
    • 1.19 How to MIG weld steel?
      • 1.19.1 MIG Welding Tips and Tricks

Top 10 Best MIG Welder Table


[amazon bestseller="MIG Welder" ="10"]

In today’s market, thousands of models of MIG welder exist that manufactured with different designs and do not suit all metals as well as the workplace. Before choosing a new welder, you need to know every detail to make effective use of it. It helps you to make sure of a good investment and the security of the workers. And you can do other tasks without any stress too.

Hobart  500554

The handler 190 MIG welder is one of the advanced MIG welders of the Hobert, one of the top welder producers. The versatility of Hobart 500554 gives a unique design that suits a wide range of metals like mild steel, core fluxed steel, stainless steel, and also aluminum.

Besides, its power control switch and adjustable wire for feed control offer a powerful welder that can repair more thick metals than the same quality welders. Its simple design makes it suitable for both enthusiasts and professional workers.

  • The weight of the handler 190 MIG welder is only 78 Ibs that increase the portability of it.
  • The design of Hobart 500554 is easy to set up and needs to particular skill to start operating the machine for welding.
  • The adaptable function of the handler 190 welder allows repairing at different DIY projects like aluminum, marine, trailer tools, lawn & garden equipment, metal sculpture.
  • The 7 voltage control technology increases the wire feeding speed, arc performance, and also helps to control the output setting.
  • The output range of this tool is 25 to 190 amperage.
  •  It runs with 230V power than can weld the steel having the thickness of 24 gauge to 5/16”  in a single pass.
  • The duty cycle of the Hobart 500554 is 30% at 130 amps.
  • It also has a well-built spool gun circuity that regulates the flow of wire feeding while running.
  • The spoolRunner 100 can connect directly with the machine and eliminates the difficulties associated with aluminum wire welding.
  • The automatic thermal overload protection system protects the machine from overheating due to extensive use.
  • The Hobart 190 MIG welder comes with a built-in gas valve, 10’ MIG gun, dual gauge regulator, gas hose, 10’ cable & clamp, 10’ power cord, 0.030 flux-core wire, 0.030 contact tips, 8” spool adaptor, and owner’s manual.

What we like

  • Reasonable price.
  • Highly portable.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Voltage control technology.
  • Thermal protection system.
  • A wide range of accessories.
  • A 5-yrs warranty.

What we don’t like

  • Require high voltage to initiate the welding.

LOTOS MIG175

The LOTOS MIG175 is another welder that suits both industry-based weldings as well as DIY-projects. The transformer technology allows the welder as the most dependable machine for professional use. Besides, its adjustable overload protection system ensures a longer working life and can manage 4” to 8” industrial standards wire spools.

  • The MIG 175 is designed with flux-core, and aluminum gas shielded welding functions.
  • The aluminum wire feeder allows high-quality welding and offers more stability.
  • It is suitable for stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, and many other metals.
  • It can weld 18 gauge ¼” thick steel to 3/16” thin aluminum.
  • The machine can be set within 10 minutes and easily connected with the existing wall 220V outlet.
  •  A 10’4” long, 4-prolong end connection, 1Ibs aluminum wire with 0.9 mm diameter high-speed MIG spool gun is integrated with this 175 MIG welder.
  • It has a 20% duty cycle while running at full capacity and 60% while running around the 60A range.
  • The welder has 0.6-0.8 mm solid steel and 0.8-0.9 mm flux-cored wire for welding.
  • It also has a dual-frequency at 50/60HZ and operates on 220-240V.
  • The DC output varies from 30-175 amps.
  • The ground clamp is 2” in width and can weld 1/8”+ aluminum plate with the required gas supply.
  • A stand MIG torch, power supply,  aluminum spool gun, ground clamp cable, gas hose, argon regulator, 0.6mm & 0.9mm contact tips, welding musk and 0.025”-0.030” wire is included the MIG175.
  • The LOTOS 175AMP MIG welder comes with a 90-days money-back guarantee and a 1-yr limited warranty.

What we like

  • Durable.
  • Versatile.
  • Affordable.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Aluminum welding.
  • Portable.

What we don’t like

  • No thermal protection technology.

Hobart 500559

The handler 140 MG welder is another product of Hobart that build with high-quality materials and excellent artistry. The unique feature of the 140 MIG is that it is the second smallest welder of Hobart. The size and quality of performance make it popular among homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who like to do their job.

The welding technology of this model provides a machine suitable for a wide range of things like BBQ devices, ornamental designs, work machinery, work of arts, trailers, sports equipment. Besides, the price tag is reasonable for all category customers.

  • The Hobart 500559 comes with a built-in wire feeding and quick discharge drive roll levers.
  • It can weld 24 gauge up to ¼” steel in a single pass.
  • A well-built and ready-to-go welding fitting of this 140 welder helps to remain electrically cold while not in use.
  • The thermal protection technology keeps the welder safe from any damage for overloading.
  • The 5-position voltage controlling selector provides a smooth and constant arc at most of all welding thickness.
  • The processes of handler 140 allow a wide range of materials for MIG and flux-cored welding like cast-iron, copper, brass, titanium, magnesium alloy, aluminum.
  • The unit possesses a duty-cycle 20% at 90 amperages,19 V, and also has a 25-140 range of amperage output.
  • The cast aluminum drive system and heavy-duty work clamp offer a wire welding package suitable for industrial uses.
  • A 10’ cables with clamp, spool gun, 4” to 8” spool hub, gas hose, contact tips, solid & flux-cored wires, power cord, and a user guide is integrated with the 140 MIG welder unit.

What we like

  • Compact in size & weight.
  • Highly movable.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Suit both household and industrial welding.
  • Dual-gauging capability.
  • Easy to set up and control.
  • A 5-yrs limited warranty.

What we don’t like

  • Need a direct AC power supply.

Goplus MIG 130

The unique feature of the Goplus 130 MIG welder is its gasless flux molding process. The size and weight of this MIG 130 welder are so small and light that it can easily be used for repairing a thin metal object like a car body. The gasless flux wire comes with a metal casing electrode that prevents the firing results of the power consumption from argon or carbon dioxide.

This safety feature of Goplus 130 MIG welder allows a versatile pattern that also provides a welder ideal for home DIY and general repairing work. Besides, this welder can deliver a professional finish of the welding things more efficiently.

  • The compact and beautiful body of the MIG 130 is made with stainless steel and coated with yellow paint that provides a long-lasting structure of it.
  • The self-release metal-inert gas wire prevents the oxidation of the welding parts.
  • The 4-level adjustable welding speed features 4-stage current flow settings, 4 buttons for min/max, & ½, and a rotary knob for controlling the feeding speed that also offers 10 levels of choice.
  • A smart carrying handle is integrated with the design.
  • The MIG 130 comes with the typical American triangle ground cord and thermal safety protection technology.
  • The welding gun featured with a safety on/off control switch.
  • The design has a small storage area at the top for accessories.
  • A reel of 0.9mm, 0.55 Ibs welding wire, a protection mask, a brush, and a chipping hammer is included with the machine.

What we like

  • Lightweight and compact design.
  • Easy to conversion and storage.
  • Convenient to move.
  • Perfect for a DIY project.
  • Durable.
  • Thermal protection system.

What we don’t like

  • The circuit breaker vibrates more while welding.

Hobart 500553

The handler 210 MVP MIG welder is also known as Hobart 500553, a welding tool manufactured by the reputed producer Hobart. This model is specially designed for DIY welders. The 210 MVP can fit with both Hobart's SpoolRunner 100 automatic feed gun and regular facilities available in the garage. The Hobart 500553 welder has a dual-gauge regulator and the interchangeable plugs that can consume the electricity through domestic 115V as well as 230V. Moreover, it is a complete pack of MIG welder suitable for both learners and experts engaging in construction work.

  • The dual-voltage with MVP plug allows the welder suitable for all working environments.
  • It can weld 24 gauge to 3/8” steel in a single pass.
  • It can handle aluminum, steel, stainless steel materials.
  • The 210 MVP can set between 4” to 8” reels with the integrated adaptor.
  • The 7-voltage settings provide superior adjustability for precision welding.
  • It has a dual cycle of 115V 20% at 90amps and 230V 30% at 160amps.
  • The quick-change drive roll technology reduces the necessities of extra tools for continuing.
  • This package includes a feed gun, work cable with clamp, gas solenoid valve, gas hose, spool hub, contact tips, power cord with MVP plugs, flux-cored wires, weld set-up chart, and an owner’s manual.
  • The 210 MVP MIG welder comes with a 3-yrs limited warranty.

What  we like

  • Auto-thermal protection.
  • User-friendly.
  • Adaptable.
  • Affordable.
  • Portable.
  • High-quality welding.
  • Easy to weld.

What we don’t like

  • Need an extra cart to transfer.
  • Not suit industrial welding. 

Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP

The power MIG 210 MP welder is one of the best multi-purpose welders of the Lincoln Electric manufacturing company. It is a 4-in-1 welder that has the functions of MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-cored welding. Besides, you can use it only with a connection of proper torch and ground clamp. The power 210 MP is suitable for a home garage, small scale welding on the industry, auto-body work,  farm equipment repair, and maintenance. Except for this, the simple welding technology of this model provides an ideal structure for the new contractors.

  • The design is only 40 Ibs in weighs and measures 19” × 10”×  8” × 14”.
  • It features 120V and 230V  voltage units that allow the welder ready for the existing power supply.
  • The push-turn digital control mechanism offers a convenient use of it.
  • The unit has a color display monitor to give the instructions of the setup procedure.
  • The 210 amps allow the MIG welder to manage the challenging welding tasks.
  • When it plugged on 230V can weld up to 5/16” mild or stainless steel, and 3/16” aluminum.
  • With the DC stick electrodes, the unit can repair up to 5/32” thin materials.
  • The power 210 Mp is designed with Touch Start TIG Technology though it has no AC TIG mode for aluminum.
  •  It also has a duty cycle with 40% at 100A and 50% at 200A.

What we like

  • Highly portable.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Digital display.
  • Multi-purpose use.
  • Compatible clamp.
  • Dual-input voltage.

What we don’t like

  • No AC mode for aluminum.

Forney Easy Weld 299

The Forney Easy Weld 125 FC  is a flux-cored welding machine that acts like a MIG welder but does not require any shielding gas like other typical MIG machines. The design is ideal for the beginners or the welders who are frightened to weld. The versatility of the Easy Weld 299 provides a form of device fit for garden utensils, lawnmower, or to build a fire pit for the backyard garden, or crafting any metal arts.

  • The weighs of the 125 FC is only 42.5 Ibs.
  • It is a plug- and play design that allows a hassle-free work without shielding gas.
  • It can weld 24 gauge up to ¼” mild steel in a single pass. 
  • The body of this welder is built with sturdy plastic and high-quality gauged metal.
  • It has only a flux core feed wire, no gas arrangement.
  • As it has no gas option, it can not weld the stainless steel, can weld only mild steel.
  • 2 voltage settings allow welding the sheet metal and also a thin plate.
  • The internal thermal protection system prevents overheating and keeps the device safe.
  • It can run through the regular household power supply with 125amps, and also with a generator having enough power.
  • The duty cycle of it is 20% at 80 amps.
  • It comes with a 6-months warranty for defects in manufacturing and quality.

What we like

  • Easo to operate.
  • Transferable.
  • Affordable.
  • High-quality construction.
  • Dual-voltage setting.

What we don’t like

  • Only for small scale welding.
  • The power cord is not long enough.

Miller Electric 141 MIG Welder

Niels Miller first created a device from recycled scrap steel and thought to build a company. Now he is one of the biggest manufacturers of arc welding equipment. The uniqueness of the 141 MIG welder is its auto-set mechanism. Due to this mechanism, the beginners can handle this without any trouble and training.

Besides, the structure of this welder is built with durable materials that allow it suitable for a variation of repairing. Anyone can use it in their farm, home garage, create any metal sculpture,  mechanical contracting & welding projects, training school, and also on the automobile workshop.

  • The auto-set technology helps to weld with the right parameters, needs to set only the wire diameter and the thickness of the welding material.
  • It also has a manual setting that assists in welding aluminum and stainless steel.
  • The thermal overload protection system keeps the machine safe by auto-shutting off with the generation of excessive heat.
  • The built-in contractor circuit helps to remain the machine cool until the trigger pulls for a start.
  • The Miller Spoolmate 100 spool gun can weld 18 gauge to ¼” aluminum, and 24 gauge to 3/16” mild steel with a single pass.
  • The dual groove quick-change drive roll system provides smooth welding and also improved the liner life of the feed gun.
  • The “Tip Saver” short circuit protection technology performs like a safeguard for the internal components.
  • It can operate through the regular 120V household power and gives better results than a similar device, like Lincoln MIG welder.

What we like

  • Both auto and manual control system.
  • Strong construction.
  • Versatile applications.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Both MIG and flux-cored welding.

What we don’t like

  • Not support on industrial welding.
  • Power cord comparatively short in length.

Hobart 500554001 MIG Welder

The Hobart 500554001 190 MIG welder is another arc welding equipment that has a SpoolRunner 100 feed gun. This gun helps to overcome the difficulties of aluminum welding. Besides this, the 7-voltage setting offers a wide range of applications in both professional and non-professional welding projects. The design is suitable for auto body panels, wear-out system, mower decks, tool carts, trailers frames & hitches, lawn & garden tools, metal arts, farm equipment, and also any DIY projects.

  • The design offers an easy setup and welding operation.
  • The integrated SpoolRunner 100 Gun helps to weld aluminum, steel, mild steel, flux core, and also stainless steel materials.
  • The gun also operates through 0.23” to 0.35” wires.
  • The interchangeable power system can handle a wide range of things like cars, trailers, and marine fabrications.
  • The weight of the welder is just 89 Ibs, and anyone can carry it in a tool cart.
  • It can deliver 24A to 190A output at a 30% duty cycle with a 230V power supply.
  • The welder can run with a generator having a minimum of 7000W power.
  • Depending on the voltage setting, it can handle 4” to 16” reel and provide better arc performance on bead appearance and low spatter.
  • With a regular power supply, it can weld 24 gauge up to 5/16” steel in a single pass.
  • A gas valve, MIG gun, dual gauge regulator, gas hose, cable & clamp, power cord, contact tips, sample spool of 0.030 flux-cored wires, spool adaptor, and welder manual is included.
  • The Hobart 500554001 MIG welder backed with Hobart’s  5/3/1 industrial warranty.

What we like

  • Inexpensive.
  • Better performance.
  • Durable and robust body.
  • Adjustable with standard power supply.
  • Easy aluminum welding.
  • Versatile and safe.

What we don’t like

  • Need a cart to carry.

Everlast Power ARC 200ST

The everlast powerARC 200ST TIG welder is a lightweight machine that has all the capacity to give better results in TIG welding. It features a dual voltage system, IGBT Infineon components, and Inverter technology that make it one of the preferable welders. Besides, it is also ideal for them who want to get both TIG and Stick welding in one frame.

The TIG welder is quite different from MIG welder and has a vertical arrangement that is a little difficult to handle. But the DC powerARC 200ST design is simple and easy to manage the whole TIG process of welding. 

  • The design of the 200ST TIG welder is straightforward and easy to read.
  • It features an auto-adaptive hot start, regulated arc force control, and an intuitive that provides a unique structure of welding.
  • The weight is only 30 Ibs that makes it highly portable.
  • This TIG welder can operate at 110V and 220V and delivers an output of 140amps and 200amps, respectively.
  • It welds up to ¼” stainless steel with one pass and also has an excellent low spatter arc function.
  • The dual voltage facility allows it to set at the regular power supply of a house.
  • The design has a digital display that shows the whole setup procedure and makes it perfect for beginners.
  • A stick electrode holder, 10 ft cables, a 35 series ground clamp include with the TIG kit.
  • It comes with a 5-yrs warranty for the body parts and the settings.

What we like

  • Affordable.
  • Adaptable.
  • Both TIG and Stick welding.
  • Easy to start.
  • Digital display monitor.
  • Long-time running capacity.

What we don’t like

  • Lack of sample rods.
  • Comparatively low-powered.

Forney 309

The Forney 309 is an upgraded format of its previous model. It is redesigned for some features to make it suitable for handling a range of welding tasks in the farms, automotive, metal fabrication, and maintenance. A torch, torch wrap, and feet are incorporated with the new Forney 309 MIG welder pattern for making it more stable and organized. Though it is not a powerful welder, it can handle a heavy-duty project.

  • The Forney 309 weighs 62 Ibs and has a handle at the top to carry it.
  • The new dual-geared roll drive and despoiler can feed 0,23”, 0.30”, and 0.35” wires.
  • The cast aluminum body parts and the premium wire feeding system provide a durable construction of the Forney 309 welder.
  • It welds 1/16” to ¼” aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, and cast iron.
  • The euro-style disconnect gun replaces the torch and the liner easily and quickly.
  • It supplies the power from 30A to 140A at a 35% duty cycle at 90A.
  • The 4-stage voltage settings can weld more thick materials more efficiently.
  • 15 ft long power cord, gas regulator, gas hose, and 10 ft MIG gun integrated with this Forney welder.
  • It has a large cabinet with an easy-lifting door that provides enough space for 4” to 8” spools and other accessories.
  • A door chart is included to assists the setting of the welder.
  • It comes with a 5/3/1 yr industrial warranty.

What we like

  • Compact.
  • Dependable.
  • Both MIG and Flux-cored welding.
  • Easy to handle.
  • Multi-step transformer.
  • Smooth and stable power supply.
  • More welding time.
  • Huge cabinet.

What we don’t like

  • Suit no industrial welding.

Lincoln Electric K2185

The handy MIG welder of Lincoln Electric is a perfect choice for home repairs and DIY projects on light gauge mild steel. Because of its both gas and gasless welding features, auto-thermal protection setting, and the reasonable price tag. Besides, this handy welder comes with all accessories that offer a machine ready to weld with both MIG and flux-cored systems. Moreover, its simple construction provides easy use for beginners.

  • The welder has both a gas nozzle and gasless nozzle that allows both MIG and flux-core welding.
  • 8 ft power cord, 8 ft cable clamp, gas hose, gas regulator, spool of solid wire, contact tips, hand shield with filters, and lens are included with the K2185 welder.
  • The self-shielded spool, flux-cored wire, contact tips, and chipping brush are integrated with the welder that assists in turning the MIG welder into the gasless flux-cored welder.
  • It can operate through any 115 V household settings and can weld 1/8” thick mild steel with a single pass of energy.
  • The welding wires are 0.335 mm in diameter and can control the wire feed speed of the welder.
  • The duty cycle is 20 at 70 amps and produces 35-38 on the household amperage output.
  • The cold contractor safety feature keeps the welding wire electrically cold until the trigger releases.
  •  It has four-steps voltage settings and continuous wire feed speed facility that help to weld 24 gauge up to 1/8” mild steel.

What we like

  • Compact.
  • Lightweight.
  • Portable.
  • User-friendly.
  • Adjustable.
  • Diverse.
  • Both gas and gasless welding.
  • Affordable.
  • A 1-yr limited warranty.

What we don’t like

  • No gas gauge.
  • Low spool capacity.

Longevity MIGweld 140-140Amp

The longevity MIGweld 140 is a dynamic welder with which one can fulfill both home and industrial purposes. It is also perfect for them who want a welding tool that able to provides the best arc performance and also available at a reasonable price. Besides, this MIG 140 welder can weld mild steel a well as flux-cored materials to build hot rods, BBQ pits, furniture, ornamental sculptures, and many other structures.

  • Its 110V settings can fit with the general power setup of the house.
  • The 140 amp welder has both MIG and flux-cored welding patterns that suit both DIY-ers and professional welders.
  • It can weld aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel in any industrial projects or household welding works.
  • It weighs only 54 Ibs.
  • The duty cycle is 20% at 90A 18V.
  • It comes with an optional spool feed gun, 0.30” – 0.35” flux-core wire, and 0.25” – 0.30” solid steel wire.
  • Without the spool gun, it can weld 3/8” mild steel with a single pass.
  • The longevity MIG welder design fits the welding accessories available in the local stores.
  • The heat adjustment technology protects the welder from any damage for overheating during welding.
  • The auto-thermal protection system automatically shut-off the machine when it reaches the maximum duty cycle percentage.

What we like

  • Affordable price.
  • User-friendly.
  • It has both gas and gasless settings.
  • Multi-function.
  • Easy to setup.
  • Powerful and portable.

What we don’t like

  • Weak ground clamp.
  • It supports only small scale welding.

Hobart 500536001

The Hobart 500536001 MIG welder is suitable for a farm, garden, and household welding. Its reversible drive roll technology makes it versatile for welding and also protects the machine through the auto-thermal protection system. Besides, the ironman 230 MIG welder comes with infinite wire speed with a various diameter of feeding wires.

  • The design allows both MIG and flux-cored welding.
  • The spool gun can weld steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
  • It welds 24 gauge to ½” thick mild steel in a single pass when it powered by 230V AC  input service and 50 amp breaker.
  • It can provide 30-250 amps of weld power that can handle a heavy-duty cabinet.
  • The aluminum wire drive system offers 0 to 700 IPM wire feed speed with a quick change dual-drive rolls for 0.24”, 0.30”. 0.35”, and 0.40” wires.
  • The spool hub has a tool-less tension knob, and automatic wire alignment offers comfortable use of it.
  • The optimized arc allows flawless welding with low spatter and nonexistent post-weld residues.
  • The ironman MIG welder is integrated with 15 ft 200 amp MIG gun, regulator, gas hose, power cord, dual side-mounted cable hangers, and welding setup chart.
  • It also comes with a 3-yrs limited warranty.

What we like

  • Powerful welding.
  • Smooth control.
  • Easy to access.
  • Optimized arc performance.
  • Auto-thermal protection.
  • Dual drive roll system.
  • Continuous feeding.
  • Quiet welding.

What we don’t like

  • The power cord is comparatively short in length.

What is welding

The welding is a process of joining metallic or thermoplastic materials by melting through high heat. The whole procedure is carried out by the blowtorch, electric arc, and other necessary equipment.

It is different from low-temperature metal-joining techniques like brazing or soldering, where the base metal does not melt. In welding, the metals are molten at the particular portion to join together and need to leave for cooling to make union for sculpturing or fabricating a new pattern.

The crucial thing needs to keep in mind that welding is a risky process. So, the worker must have proper training and need to wear gloves and a welding helmet as protection for atmospheric contamination.

What is MIG welding?

The elaboration of MIG welding is – Metal Inert Gas welding or Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding. It is an arc welding process where the fusion of metals occurs by heating them. The arc produces by continuous feeding of power between the filler metal electrode and the workpieces.

In the MIG welding process, a shielding gas is used to get a clean weld, which is created from the gas tank and the integrated welding gun. This gas shield acts as a protection for the atmospheric contamination. Usually, carbon dioxide is the standard shielding gas for MIG welding.

Advantages of  MIG welding

  • It works fast through a continuous push-pull feed technology.
  • The process of operation is simple, needs no extra training to handle.
  • It results in high-quality weld for various types of metal like aluminum, steel, mild steel, stainless steel, nickel, magnesium, copper, and many other alloys.
  • The MIG welding offers better weld pool visibility and control as it goes through an auto-feed wire.
  • The shielding gas allows a little loss of alloying elements.

Disadvantages of MIG welding

  • The cost of MIG welding equipment is comparatively high.
  • It requires more accessories to weld.
  • A cart needs to carry the MIG welder.
  • It does not penetrate the thick metals.
  • The shielding gas takes time to replace.
  • The working materials need to rust or dirt-free to get a better result.

How to choose the right MIG Welder 2020

As the MIG welder produces a high level of heat to melt the metals, the cooling procedure must be considered before taking a new one. The arrangement of the welder and the feed gun that influences the cooling system is described below. You need to read this information thoroughly if you want to take the most efficient MIG welder for your next project.

Air-cooled

The air-cooled gun helps to operate the machine comfortably. Because it maintains the balance of surrounded air and the shielding gas and prevents overheat generation that hinders the welding process. The power cable contains more copper that protects the cord from melting. This gun is also cumbersome and limits flexibility. But it suits outdoor welding for its small diameter of wires ( 0.035”- 0.045”).  Besides, it does not need extra gas hoses or radiator cooling system. Moreover, the air-cooled gun produces 150 to 700 amps power output that makes it suitable for a wide range of use.

Water-cooled

The water-cooled guns are compatible with the condition where water and hose are available. Helium-mix gas is more suitable to run this type of welder. Though it works as an air-cooled gun, the lightweight offers more flexibility than the air-cooled one. Besides, the water-cooled gun is more durable, delivers 300 to 600 amps, and save more energy.

Push-pull

The push-pull gun helps to weld far from the power source and can work 50 ft away. This gun is designed with a gooseneck and pistol-style grip that helps to accomplish this particular requirement for welding.

Spool Gun

Spool gun reduces the difficulty of pushing on soft wires like small diameter aluminum, stainless steel, silicon bronze. It is suitable for sporadic welding and at low amperage situation.

Fume Extraction Gun

This type of gun is available on the welder with 400 amps or more. It runs by capturing the fume produce at the source, over, and around the weld pool. The extraction regulating system, better shielding on gas flow, and effortless handling features make the fume extraction gun popular among the users.

High Amperage = High Power

The welding gun size depends on the welding dimension, and it maybe 100-150 amps, 200-300 amps, 400-500 amps, or 600 amps. The 600 amps can handle all kinds of welding, but it is highly-priced.

Since the welder with an average power able to consume the stress of any range of welding, you don’t need to spend more money on it. We know the price increases with the power of the welding machine.

So if you have to weld a thick metal frequently, then you can take a welder with a high power capacity. Except for this, you have to check the required power to finish your welding tasks before buying your MIG welder.

Power Pin

As welding is relatively tricky and dangerous for the worker, you have to check the strength of the power pin. A weak power pin may damage if you try to work with a high voltage. On the other hand, a well-built power pin never twists and will enhance the power flow through the gun. 

Plug – Multiple Plug Option

The welding work moves with the electric energy and maybe on the house or construction site. So, we do not know the status of the plug on which we have to connect our machine. Therefore, the multiple plug option can solve the problem of adjustability with the power source. The numerous plug option also improves the flexibility of the welder.

Power Cable

It is quite natural to check the strength and length of the power cable before taking a power tool. Depending on the distance of the working area from the power source and the required power for welding, you have to decide which one suits your needs. If you purchase a short and comparatively low-capacity cable, then it will affect the result of welding. Besides, the too-long cable may also be hazardous for the welding area.

Liner

The liner is a simple but essential part of the MIG gun. It regulates the welding wires from the feeder to the contact tips through the cable. It also keeps the gas safe inside the container. So a low-quality liner can cause a leak of gas. The right sized and well-built liner should be chosen for better performance. Not only this, the liner should be cleared out with compressed air sporadically.

Neck

The neck of the MIG welding gun has a significant effect on specific applications of the machine. It also a matter of selecting other components for the weapon to get better performance. The appropriate neck design enhances the access to the weld point, ensures comforts, and also lessens the cost for the welding.

The neck of a gun is crafted with various designs, including rotatable, flex, curved angles and lengths, neck couplers, and conventional neck. Everyone has a distinct effect on a particular application. So you have to choose the right neck for a specific use to get the best welding performance for your MIG welder.

Trigger

The trigger of a MIG gun helps the welder to run electrically. Generally, triggers are available in dual-schedule or lock-out system. Between them, the lock-out system has more control over the welding. It also assists in focusing on the operation, notably during longtime welding. Therefore, the trigger should be strong enough and replaceable to get safe and comfortable welding.

Handle

The small, lightweight, and comfortable handle of a MIG gun will be great for a capable welding machine. It should also have the ability to manage the amps or duty cycle rating of the welder. If it has a ventilation system, then it will help to reduce the heat and thus the productivity will be improved. So you have to choose the perfect one for a better weld.

How to arc weld?

The arc welding is a process of welding where the flux-cored electrode is used to join the metal workpieces. The electrode melts in an electric arc and combines with the welded metals. A fillet helps to complete the entire procedure. In this process, a slag produces that covers the molten metals and also reduces the oxidation. After welding, it cools and becomes a unique part of the new structure.

While welding, the arc moves with a back and forth way to create a bead on the weld path. After every pass, the melted electrode flux elements should remove to get a clean molten metal for the next passes.

Before starting, the rust, dirt, paints, grease, or any other contaminants should be removed from the workpieces because the arc welding is sensitive to the rusty metals. The rod should be positioned at the right angle, and it needs time to finish the whole process. Therefore some technical knowledge and patience required for the arc welding. 

How to MIG weld steel?

MIG welding is another form of arc welding where an arc of electricity produces a short circuit between the wire (+ anode)and the metal (- cathode). The arc of electricity generates heat to melt the metals at the weld pool. When the heat generation stops, the melted metal cools down and turns into a new shape.

In this process, an inert gas is used as a protection from the atmospheric contamination and also helps the melting process.

MIG Welding Tips and Tricks

  • Maintain a ¼” to 3/8” distance between the electrode and the tip of the contact tube for safe welding.
  • Follow the recommended diameter chart for the thickness of metals to get the best result.
  • Choose the wires to suit the base metal.

For example, on steel welding, ER70S-3, gives economical welding, whereas ER70S-3 delivers better results for dirty or rusty steel with more deoxidizers.

  • Choice the shield gas according to the quality of welding metals.

For example, argon for aluminum, CO2, or 75% Ar/25% CO2 for carbon steel, trimix (helium/argon/CO2) for stainless steel.

  • Always try to place the base metal at the horizontal position.
  • To get the best results, keep the gun as straight as possible whatever the position is.
  • Keep all parts clean and tidy, even not in use.
  • Select high-quality accessories and also as the wire size.
  • Wear gloves and helmet while welding.

Conclusion

We sure you already decided which one will assist you with your next project. After that, we also tell you that please check the customer’s reviews of your selected item. You can get more information about your selected welder from the customer’s reviews.

With the reviews of the leading brands, the informative portion of this article also helps to make a wise investment of your hard-earned money. So go for purchase and enjoy your job with the most potent MIG welder.

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