MIG Welding Machine Buying Guide
Last Updated on October 10, 2024
Welding Processes
With the regular advancement of technology, welding processes have become more specific and technological advanced than ever and here is chart below to list down the process suitable for joining different base metals and alloys.
Type of Metal | Arc Welding Processes | |||||
Stick | MIG | TIG-AC | TIG-DC | Flux Wire | Spot(Resistance) | |
Steel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Stainless Steel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Aluminum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Cast Iron | ✓ | |||||
Copper/Brass | ✓ | |||||
Magnesium Alloys | ✓ | |||||
Titanium | ✓ | |||||
Skill Required | Moderate | Low | High | High | Low | Low |
Overview of GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding)
Metal Inert Gas Welding or Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and simply called MIG welding is the easiest welding process to learn and provides the best finish welds in return. MIG welders consist of a torch with a trigger controlling a wire feed, feeding the wire from a spool to the weld joint. The wire is similar to an endless bicycle brake cable.
The wire runs through the feeding unit to the Mig torch/gun, Mig torch also has a gas feeding through the same cable to the point of the arc, which protects the weld from the air. It uses consumable wire spools fed at a pre-defined rate to deposit filler material by the heat produced at the arc between the job and the welding wire.
Mig welding machines provide efficient and faster welds with little to almost no slag formation for thin jobs. Mig welding machines can weld materials like Stainless steel, Nickel Alloys, Aluminum, Steel, Copper/Brass and many more with increased flexibility, higher deposition rates with virtually no spatter.
List of Free Tips and Tricks to Select the Right MIG Welding Machine
Since you have decided that you are interested in Mig Welding Machine, the next step is to select the right machine for your usage.
1) Maximum and minimum Amps
The ampere ratings of MIG welding machine determines the suitability of the machine for different thickness of workpieces. Here is a table you can consider.
Maximum Amps: | 90 amp | 110 amp | 130 amp | 150 amp | 180 amp |
Maximum steel thickness (butt weld) | 2.0mm | 2.5mm | 3mm | 4mm | 5mm |
Maximum steel thickness (with V and root gap) | 3.0mm | 3.8mm | 4.5mm | 6mm | 7.5mm |
Minimum Amps is important to consider if you are planning on welding thinner materials. Welders with 30-40 amps are generally suitable for a 1.00mm sheet and are usable in 0.8mm sheets.
2) Duty Cycle
This is the percentage of 10 minute periods (depending on the manufacturer) that you can weld before the welder overheats. Example: If a welder has a 70% duty cycle at 100 amps over 10 minutes, then the welder can be operated continuously at 100 amps for 7 minutes before it will need a 3-minute break.
Generally, the duty cycle isn’t important for automotive repair work, as the amps tend to be low (higher duty cycle at lower amps), and 9 minutes out of 10 is normally spent setting up, so any welder with fan cooling should have a good enough duty cycle. It would be a big consideration for a fabrication shop welding steel beams together all day.
3) Manufacturer
A drill down on brand will help you in the long run as it provide you a clue about the quality of the product you are buying, whether it’s made in India, china or Europe. At Industrybuying we have a comprehensive selection of brands from Ador Welding, Esab, RalliWolf, Electra and IB Basics.
4) Flux-Cored Arc Welding
Flux-cored Arc Welding (FCAW) is a slight variation from the earlier explained GMAW technique. FCAW uses wire that is actually a fine metal tube filled with powdered flux materials. External shielding gas is sometimes used, but often the flux itself is sufficient enough to generate the necessary protection from the atmosphere.
The process is widely used in construction to weld steel and stainless steel because of its high welding speed, deeper penetration, low operating cost and skill requirement, ability to weld thick jobs and out of position welds. Wide range of Gas Metal Arc welding machines along with our offering of Flux-cored wires can enable customers to achieve very fast and more forgiving welding when compared to other processes.
Why to Buy MIG Welding Machine Online at Industrybuying.com?
Welding machines are an important tool for the Industrial sector. Needless to say, one cannot compromise on the quality or the performance of the Welding Machine. Industrybuying.com is one e-commerce portal which provides branded MIG Welding machine from the top-notch brands such as Ador Welding, CRUXWELD, Rexel, Roteck, Ralli Wolf, Shaktech, KGE ARC, Amar Jyoti, IB Basics, Kepro, Electra, KOKOTAWA besides many others.
Be it exclusive discounts on top brands, special discounted price on bulk purchase, seamless online shopping experience or free shipping on purchase order above Rs, 1,000, Industrybuying makes sure that the customers experience the best online shopping experience. If you are looking for a Welding machine, Welding consumables which includes Welding electrodes, Gas Cutting accessories, Welding wire or any Welding accessories, Industrybuying.com is your one-stop destination.
If you have any doubts or confusion regarding your purchase, reach out to us through our Toll-free number 1800-300-09551 and we will provide with timely professional assistance to help you choose the best Welding essential for your precise set of requirements.