Buying Your First Welder: A Practical, Informative Guide for Do-It-Yourselfers

What welder should I buy? 

• Overview and Types of Welding Processes
• Budget Factors to Consider When Buying a Welder
• What's the Best Welder for You?
• Top questions about selecting welding equipment according to Miller service technicians 

There are many welding processes to choose from — but no single welding process is suitable for all applications. It is critical to consider your welding skills, the basic processes available, and the capabilities and advantages of each to determine which process is best for your needs and applications. From there, you can determine which welder is best for you.

The most common processes are MIG, TIG and stick. Each has benefits and limitations for certain applications. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

• MIG/Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) — MIG welders use a wire welding electrode on a spool fed automatically at a constant pre-selected speed. The arc, created by an electrical current between the base metal and the wire, melts the wire and joins it with the base, producing a high-strength weld with great appearance and little need for cleaning. MIG welding is an easy process to learn  and can be used on thin or thick metals. It can create extremely clean welds on steel, aluminum and stainless steel. 
  
  Similar to MIG, flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)* is a wire-feed process but differs in that self-shielded FCAW does not require shielding gas. Instead, flux-cored wire shields the arc from contamination. This is a simple and efficient approach, especially when welding outdoors, in windy conditions or on dirty materials. FCAW is widely used in construction because of its high welding speed and portability.
  
  Both MIG and flux-cored welding have the capability to weld materials as thin as 26 gauge.
  
  *The FCAW process is offered through Miller® MIG machines.

• TIG/Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) — This arc welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area is protected from atmospheric contamination by shielding gas (usually argon) and filler metal, though some welds, known as autogenous welds, do not require it. A constant-current welding power supply produces energy that is conducted across the arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapors known as plasma.
  
  TIG welding is most commonly used to weld thin sections of alloy steel, stainless steel and nonferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium and copper alloys. The process grants the operator greater control over the weld, allowing for strong, high-quality welds. TIG is comparatively more complex and difficult to master than other processes and is significantly slower.

• Stick/Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) — Stick welding for many years has been the most popular method for most home-shop welding. This process uses an electric current flowing from a gap between the metal and the arc-welding electrode. Stick is effective for welding most alloys or joints and can be used indoors and outdoors or in drafty areas. It’s also the most economical method and provides the ability to create a good bond on rusty or dirty metals.
  
  However, it is limited to metals no thinner than 18 gauge, requires frequent rod changing, emits significant spatter and requires that finished welds be cleaned. Stick welding is also more difficult to learn and use, particularly the ability to strike and maintain an arc. Arc welders are available in AC, DC or AC/DC, with AC being the most economical. It’s used for welding thicker metals of 1/16 inch or greater. These machines are a good choice for farmers, hobbyists and home maintenance chores.

The diagram below summarizes each welding process. Consider these factors when deciding which process might be best for your general needs.

MIG Welding Easiest process to learn High welding speeds possible Better control on thinner metals Clean welds possible with no slag to clean Same equipment can be used for flux-cored welding	TIG Welding Provides highest quality, precise welds Highly aesthetic weld beads Allows adjustment of heat input while welding by use of a foot control
Flux-Cored Welding Works as well as stick on dirty or rusty material Out-of-position welding Deep penetration for welding thick sections Increased metal deposition rate More forgiving when welding on dirty or rusty material	Stick Welding Better suited for windy, outdoor conditions More forgiving when welding on dirty or rusty metal Works well on thicker materials

What process best fits your needs?

Identify the types of welding projects and materials you will weld most of the time. Are you creating metal sculptures? Do you intend to restore an old muscle car in your garage? Does the motorcycle you bought years ago require some fabrication? Maybe you need to do basic repair on farm equipment.

Possible Projects	Average Material Thickness
Auto body	3/16 inch or less
Trailer frames and fencing	1/4 inch to 5/16 inch
Farm, ranch and landscape	5/16 inch to 3/8 inch
Thick structural components	Over 3/8 inch
Bicycles, lawnmowers or tube frames	1/16 inch
Boats, cars and motorcycles	1/16 inch to 1/8 inch
Hunting stands and utility trailers	1/16 inch to 1/8 inch
General to heavy repair	3/16 inch to 1/4 inch

Taking the time upfront to identify the projects that will occupy the biggest percentage of your welding activity will help you determine the specific metal thickness you will likely weld most often — and ultimately help you select the most suitable welder.

Time to get a bit more specific. Let’s take a look at what welding process you can use for each metal type. Keep in mind that many of these materials are also processed using varying combinations of two or more metals to reinforce strength and functionality.

Metal	Weld Process
	MIG	Stick	TIG
Steel	X	X	X
Stainless Steel	X	X	X
Aluminum Alloys	X		X
Cast Iron		X
Chromoly			X
Copper			X
Brass			X
Exotic Metals (Magnesium, Titanium, etc.)			X

What factors should you consider when buying a welder?

The type of welder you purchase should be suited for the specific functions you require as well as the projects you will work on the most. Think about your end goal and consider opportunities to expand the usefulness of your welder. Will you want more power or amperage in the future? Will you ever want to learn or use additional welding processes?

It is important to take note of the varying amperage and power requirements as well as the duty cycle necessary to achieve the most effective and economical operational results for the projects you’re looking to complete.

In addition to the cost of the welder itself, don’t forget to include costs for the accessories and supplies you’ll need to operate your new welder. This includes welding protection (helmet, gloves, jacket, etc.) as well as gas and consumables.

Don’t feel rushed into making a purchasing decision. Take some time to define your needs. If you have questions or something is unclear, Miller can answer any questions you have about welding processes, benefits, limitations and machine operation. When you’re ready to match a specific model with the task, hobby or business — Miller can suggest the model or product that is the best for you.

Miller has provided quality welders since 1929. When you’re ready to buy, we’d be honored if your first welder was a Miller welder.

What machine is best for you?

Now that you’re more familiar with each welding process, let’s review the recommended models Miller offers.

MIG/Flux-Cored

• Millermatic® 141 
  All-in-one 120-volt wire welder that welds 24 gauge to 3/16-inch-thick (0.8-4.8 mm) mild steel in a single pass.
• Millermatic 211 
  Welds material from 24 gauge to 3/8-inch thick in a single pass. Multi-voltage plug (MVP™) provides versatility to use 120- or 240-volt input power.

TIG

• Diversion™ 180 
  Perfect for personal users, this AC/DC TIG machine upgrade has 120- and 240-volt input power capability.
• Syncrowave® 210 
  Ideal for light-industrial applications and personal users, this AC/DC TIG and DC stick machine does not compromise power or performance for affordable inverter technology.
• Dynasty® 210 
  Maximum flexibility and an advanced inverter with Auto-Line™ technology from this AC/DC TIG/stick power source.

Stick

• Thunderbolt® 160 and Thunderbolt 210
  Best-of-class dependable, portable, powerful stick welders. Includes 120- and 240-volt input power capability with MVP (Thunderbolt 160 only).

Multiprocess

If you’re looking for a machine with multiple welding capabilities, consider purchasing a multiprocess welder. A multiprocess welder allows you use different processes without having to buy more than one machine. If you are interested in learning or using more than one welding process, this may be a good option for you. We recommend the 

• Multimatic® 215
  MIG, flux-cored, DC TIG and DC stick welder that is versatile and easy to use. Connects to 120- or 240-volt input power and welds up to 3/8-inch mild steel.
• Multimatic 220 AC/DC
  Get the freedom to weld any process including MIG, flux-cored, DC TIG and DC stick, plus the addition of AC TIG capabilities.

For a complete listing of Miller machines, visit MillerWelds.com/Equipment.

Top questions about selecting welding equipment according to Miller service technicians

 

• How much amperage do I need for welding?

Amperage measures the amount of electricity flowing and is the same as current, which is the heat. As a guideline, each .001 inch of material thickness requires 1 amp of output, so welding a base material that is .125-inch thick requires 125 amps, while welding material that is .250-inch thick (1/4 inch) would require 250 amps. 

• What is duty cycle in welding?

A welding power source’s duty cycle is the number of minutes out of a 10-minute period that it can operate continuously before it overheats. Therefore, a machine that’s rated with a 40% duty cycle can operate for four minutes and then must rest for six minutes. Duty cycle ratings are included in a machine’s product specifications and are typically based on the amps and the welding process being used. When welding at lower outputs, duty cycle increases and vice versa. For example, the Multimatic 220 AC/DC multiprocess welder is rated at a 60% duty cycle when MIG or flux-cored welding at 105 amps and a 20% duty cycle when MIG or flux-cored welding at 200 amps.

• How much duty cycle do I need in a welder? 

The duty cycle rating you need in a welding power source depends on the type of work you will do most frequently. In a shop or garage setting, a machine with a lower duty cycle rating will typically cover most jobs. The operator is likely welding at lower amperages and stopping more frequently, giving the machine a chance to cool down. Operators welding in a light manufacturing or fabrication production environment are welding at higher amperages and more frequently, so they typically are using a machine with a 60% duty cycle. 

• What is the best welder for welding outside?

While many welding processes can be completed outside, some processes are easier than others when you’re outdoors. For outside welding jobs on the farm or ranch, for example, it’s most likely you will use stick welding or self-shielded flux-cored welding, since neither of these processes require a shielding gas. Choosing a versatile multiprocess welder, such as the Multimatic 215, provides the flexibility to tackle a range of jobs outdoors with either stick welding or flux-cored welding. Stick welding is good for quick welding jobs or repairs on dirty metal, while the wire-feed flux-cored process is more efficient when you have a larger welding job. Or, if you know you will mostly be stick welding outside, the Maxstar® 161 is a dependable stick/TIG welder that allows you to weld up to 3/16-inch-thick (4.8 mm) material. 

If you also need power generation capabilities, consider purchasing an engine-driven welder/generator such as the Bobcat™ 260. The 9,500-watt output of the Bobcat 260 will provide enough power to allow full output with most any Millermatic or Multimatic welder. Only the Millermatic 255 and the Multimatic 255 would require a 12,000-watt welder/generator to provide full output. The required generator output for every plug-in welder can be found on their product specification sheets.

• What is the best welder for welding in a shop? 

In choosing a welder for your shop, first consider your amperage needs and the available power. While you may not need the most powerful machine available, keep in mind that in the future you may run into welding projects that require more amperage or power, or you may want to weld aluminum. Multiprocess welders are a great choice for shop welding because they allow you to use different welding processes without having to buy multiple machines, so you can easily switch between stick, TIG, MIG and flux-cored welding depending on the job at hand. The Multimatic 220 AC/DC multiprocess welder offers the freedom to weld any process, including MIG, flux-cored, DC TIG and DC stick, plus AC TIG capabilities. If you know you will be strictly MIG welding in the shop, the Millermatic 211 is a dependable MIG welder that can weld up to 3/16-inch material at 120V and up to 3/8-inch material at 240V.