There are a number of things to consider when it comes to buying your first welder. As Popular Mechanics says, “The welder is your biggest expense, so don’t cheat yourself—a cheap welder will only frustrate you and make learning more difficult.”
Things to consider
It’s a good idea to think about 4 things when buying your first welder:
What do you want to accomplish with your welder?
There’s a big difference between what you need to take care of repairs around the farm and what you need to manufacture off-roading brackets.
What materials are you going to use?
Different materials require different welding processes and tools, so be sure you know what you need before you buy something you don’t!
Do you need it simple to use?
If you’re truly just starting and don’t intend to become a professional welder, there are welding machines suited for you. If you are looking to do a variety of welds on a variety of materials and become truly proficient at welding, then a more advanced machine is worth the expense.
How much do you want to spend?
You can spend less on welders with fewer features or drop more cash for more bells and whistles. Luckily, even more, affordable welders don’t sacrifice durability for the cost.
Our top pick
At Eureka Oxygen we are big fans of the Miller Electric welders. Miller machines are always at the top of their class, both in terms of power and durability. One good pick for a beginner welder is the MIG/Flux core 120/240V welder. It is very efficient at welding steel, particularly within 24 gauge to 3/8’’ mild, and 20 gauge to 3/8’’ stainless thickness range. Its wire feed is also very dependable.
The Miller welder is not cheap, but its versatility and power more than makeup for it. If you want to learn to weld, Miller Electric will be one of the most forgiving machines you can find. Miller machines are the best welder units of their class and this MIG welder is consistent with that. This is the best welder for a novice, as it allows you to experiment with different materials and different thicknesses to develop your welding skills. You can even do gas welding with it.
Eureka Oxygen stocks all the supplies you need to be successful at welding, whether you are a beginner or advanced welder. Our professional staff would be happy to help you choose the best welder for you!