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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.
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.
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.
The Hobart Handler 187 MIG welder is an industrial-grade welder with a seven-tap voltage selection-control system. This allows users to make arc adjustments in finer increments for a smoother weld. It has an optional nozzle for flux-cored welding. MSRP is $820.
Product | Specifications | Price | Go Link |
Arcon 888/512-7266 | Workhorse MIGweld 300MS CC/CV is a MIG/stick inverter welder. Operates on 240 volts, single or three phase; and 480 volts, three phase, 60 Hz. Also available in dual voltage for 240 volts/480 volts, single or three phase. | $1,249.99 | www.agriculture.com/go/6236 |
Clarke 800/227-9603 | Model 185SG flux-cored/MIG spool gun welder requires 220 volts, single phase. Welds up to 1⁄4-inch steel in a single pass. Uses 4-inch wire spools. Welds steel, aluminum, or cast iron. Welds with or without gas. | $875 | www.agriculture.com/go/6237 |
ESAB 800/372-2123 | MIG C240 compact welder is a step-controlled power unit. Galvanized metal chassis made to withstand tough corrosive and dirty environments. Wide current and voltage range. Trigger lock for longer welds. | Contact a distributor for pricing. | www.agriculture.com/go/6238 |
HTP America 800/USA-WELD | MIG 2400 features 240 output amps (maximum) and heavy-duty rotary contact switches to adjust copper wound transformer to 24 different heat settings. | $1,849 | www.agriculture.com/go/6239 |
Schumacher 800/221-0516 | Professional shop MIG welder welds solid steel, aluminum, or flux-cored self-shielding steel wires. Unit is 230 volts, 180 amps, 60 Hz, single phase. Two-year limited warranty. | $1,499.99 | www.agriculture.com/go/6240 |
This helmet shade rating chart identifies the amount of shade needed for a specific welding application. The rating (9 to 13) is based on the amps the unit discharges and lists the recommended shading needed to protect the operator's eyes.
