How to choose the most suitable welding machine for you?

For many craftsmen, this is simply an indispensable tool. With it you can make a metal fence, weld pipes, hanging garage frames, and much more. Most people buy this kind of equipment for the first time and simply do not know how to choose a welding machine. There are quite a few important details to keep in mind. Let’s look at this question in more detail and find out how to make a successful purchase and avoid a mistake.

Let’s start with inverter welding machines.

This type of welding machine has become widely used recently because the inverter’s operating principle is quite simple. The input current is removed through a semiconductor and then smoothed with a special filter. This allows you to convert direct current with a frequency 10 times higher. As a rule,  it can be 10 kilohertz or more. Passing through a special transformer, the voltage decreases and the current increases. This enables optimal welding results.

Because choosing a welding machine is not as easy as it seems at first glance, and this is especially true for inverters, you need to think carefully about the purchase. Especially now, when there is so much choice on the market. Welding machines have different costs, power ratings, and other parameters. That is why you need to decide exactly for what purposes and under what load the unit will operate. 

Let’s look at the details more closely.

What you need to know when buying an inverter.

If you intend to use the welding machine for welding at home, then you most likely do not need to buy a professional tool. That is because an inverter for professional use is much more powerful, productive, and efficient.

One of the most important parameters is efficiency. Modern inverters have fairly high efficiency, approximately 85–95%. Therefore, the higher the percentage, the less energy is lost and the more economical it is. The higher the efficiency rating (COP), the lower the energy costs. In other words, the machine is much more economical. 

Another important indicator is the unit’s continuous operating time. For professional work, this parameter is very important. It is also very important to  use a range of different electrodes with adjustable current. An optimal range can be considered 50–250 A. 

A common mistake is to buy a machine that does not offer smooth current adjustment, which makes the welding process much more difficult. To avoid this, during testing you need to check how stably this function works. Thanks to microprocessors, the arc should ignite and stabilize easily. To avoid such a problem, the machine should have automatic hot start to prevent the electrode from sticking.

It is worth noting that the weld must be of high quality. This is a basic requirement for all inverters across different price ranges. There should be an easy way to set the sheet thickness and the shape of the weld. Buy a well-known brand and do not go for the cheapest models, especially if they come with breathtaking discounts. After all, the most important thing is that the machine is durable and has a long service life. We know that cheap often ends up costing more in the long run.

When buying a welding machine, you should know that its main advantage is welding a wide variety of materials. With Kemppi welding machines you can work with the following wires: Fe, Fe tubular flux-cored, stainless steel, Al, and CuSi. 

It is extremely important to consider a wide power control range during operation; in this regard, the best inverter welding machines have a smooth adjustment function. This way a stable welding arc is maintained regardless of voltage changes, in different positions, and even under poor conditions. 

What should the protection be?

All welding machines, regardless of price range, must be protected against external factors. This applies to dust, water, industrial waste, impacts, and more. Every model has its own rating (IP). Before this marking there should be two digits, for example IP23S. The 2 in this case means that objects larger than 12 millimeters will not enter the housing. The second digit, in our case 3, means that water falling vertically on the welding machine will not harm it and that the unit remains stationary during the test. In this case, even water at a 60-degree angle does not penetrate the machine. IP23S models, which have the highest degree of protection, are preferred. To achieve an IP23S rating, the machine must pass very strict tests, such as withstanding exposure to water jets without damage.

An IP23S protection rating makes the machine suitable for use in very harsh environments as well as outdoors, and contributes significantly to the overall reliability and long service life of the machine.

Do not forget the manufacturer; as already noted above, a proven brand is much better than an unknown one. You already know how to make the right choice, so you will not have problems.