When you've got equipment in need of repair, how do you decide what type of welder will do the job? For most farmers, the tool they choose comes down to four things: budget, simplicity, convenience, and portability.

Narrow the choices down by knowing how you'll use the machine.

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• Will you be welding in the shop mainly, or will you be traveling to the field for a quick repair?

• What type and thickness of metal will you be welding?

Stick welder is popular because it works well in windy conditions and on rusty or oily materials. It is also the least expensive.

MIG/flux-cored welder uses a spool of wire continuously fed through a gun. This tool eliminates the need to replace electrodes when they burn down. This welder works better on sheet metal, and its process is easier to learn.

TIG welder performs best on precision work, like engines, stainless steel pipe on dairy farms, or very thin metal. It uses the slowest process and requires the most skill.

Some welders can do more than one task, such as a welder-generator combination or a MIG/TIG/stick welder in one unit.

Welder prices vary considerably, running from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on options, voltage, etc.

Before you purchase a welder, do some research to find the proper tool for the welding you'll be tackling. Following are a few of the MIG welders that are available.