When one first starts searching for a welder to select it can be easy to become overwhelmed. There are a plethora of different types of welders to pick from like arc welders, MIG and so on. Even if you can easily narrow down the kind of welder that you need, you still have to select the brand and the capacity of the welder. Thankfully if you have some information of the varied types of welders the welder selection process will be much simpler.
First, you have to know what the type of the welder really means as far as its function. MIG and arc / stick are most likely the two most popular types and are probably going to be the type of welder a beginner would select.
A MIG (metal inert gas) is one of the simplest welders to learn when starting out. A MIG uses a spool of wire to weld. Once the trigger is rolled and the wire touches the object to be welded a circuit is completed and melts the welding wire. Also while this is happening an inert gas is being let out by the welder at the point of the weld to prevent gases from the air from weakening the weld.
A MIG welder is easy to weld with. Simply clamp the grounding wire to the objects to be welded, Place the end of the welding gun around one half of an inch away from the surface and pull the trigger.
An even more simple type of wire feed welder is a flux core. With this type you do not even need shielding gas as it is inside within the middle of the wire. Realize that while flux cores are easier to use and less expensive than an actual MIG welder, the welds will be much worse cosmetically. As such, a flux core is good for someone that needs a welder for practical use around the house and farm where the welds actually do not particularly matter. If you are purchasing a welder to do work on an auto body, or weld metal artwork you would most likely want to select a MIG.
Arc welders are the other main category of welders for novices. Arc welders are the easiest to weld with. Just hold a welding rod in one of the clamps and touch the items to be welded. This completes a circuit, melts the rod and welds the items together.
Arc welders usually have more penetration than MIG or flux cores, but they are more difficult to weld with. The positives of arc welders are that they are fairly inexpensive and they create tough welds when used correctly. You can also select an arc welder for around 100 bucks that is appropriate for hobby use.
Overall either a MIG or an arc welder would be a great choice for someone that is just beginning to learn how to weld. To read and learn more about specific welders please visit welder reviews .