Types of welding machine and their uses

Advantages and disadvantages of welding equipment

In the modern world, a welding machine has become an indispensable device. Welding machines have many functions, so even beginners can use them. If you want to try using a welding machine yourself or choose it as a gift for your beloved husband, father, or brother, then this guide will be useful. Learn everything about the main types of welding machines and their advantages and disadvantages here.

What can you do with a welding machine?

A welding machine is a must for all people who have large houses or farms. The use of welding in the house and yard is extensive.

The welding machine has a number of applications:

• The repair or construction of a house, garage, and other structures.
• The car repair.
• The pipe welding.
• The creation of a variety of decorative items (metal flower pots, hangers, flower stands).
• The creation of tools for the house.
• The welding of a variety of souvenirs (everything depends on the imagination).

Advantages and disadvantages of welding equipment

There are many types of welding equipment. The main difference between these welding machines is the efficiency of work. With professional welding machines, you can perform complex work processes, weld refractory metals, and achieve more accurate welds. While household welding machines are better for quick welding of car parts or household items.

When choosing a welding machine should take into account the following parameters: the type of welding, power, size, scope. The most common welding equipment are the following: the arc welder or electrode welder, the MIG/MAG welder, the TIG welder, the oxyacetylene welder, the flux-cored wire welder.

Each type has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

The arc welder or electrode welder

An arc welder is used for working with thin metal. It is a universal welder that can be used for different types of work.

Only E – hand welding does not use gas and wire reel. The electrodes, which are needed to generate the arc, are coated with different materials. This coating releases the necessary filler materials and gases.

Welders of this type can be automatic or semi-automatic. These welders are quite expensive, but it is easier to work with them than with an inverter.

Applications: The welding of steel pipes and manhole covers.

Advantages:

• This welder can be used to weld various metals (including mild steels) and alloys.
• This is the most economical welding machine, it is ideal for the house.
• The workpiece is cooled down slowly.
• It can be used outdoors and in the rain.
• It is portable and light.

Disadvantages:

• It gives the slag on the welding seam.
• It does not weld alloy steels.
• There are dangerous fumes.
• It is not easy to master for beginners.

The MIG/MAG welder

Shielded metal arc welding is an arc welding process in which an endless wire electrode melts under a shielding gas cover. In this process, the gas protects against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere.

The welder can weld various metals.

In MIG welding, inert gases are used. MAG welding uses gas mixtures (e.g. argon and oxygen or carbon dioxide or helium with oxygen).

MIG/MAG welding can be equipped with inverter technology. An inverter uses a high-frequency current. The welding inverter offers a wide range of welding current settings. In addition, the setting of the inverter is more accurate than conventional welding equipment, and the output parameters are much more stable, which makes it easier to select the optimal operating mode. The inverter welder test shows that inverter welders are manufactured with one of two technologies – MOSFET or IGBT.

Inverters with MOSFET technology are usually cheaper, they have a large weight and dimensions. They are ideal for the easy welding of ferrous metals. However, the MOSFET technology is inferior to the IGBT technology. The IGBT welder is lighter than the MOSFET welder, it can work at a much higher frequency (60-85 kHz) than the MOSFET welder. The temperature of thermal protection in IGBT welder is about 90 °C and the temperature of thermal protection in MOSFET welder is 60 °C. So the continuous operation time of the inverter is higher with IGBT technology.

Applications: Can be used in a wide range of applications.

Advantages:

• It can weld various metals, such as mild and alloy steels, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, nickel.
• It provides a clean weld.
• It is suitable for beginners.
• It is relatively easy to adjust the amperage.
• Shielding gas is non-toxic.

Disadvantages:

• It is rather bulky.
• Another gas is necessary for alloyed steels and non-alloyed steels.
• It is necessary to weld with the windshield outside.
• More expensive than electrode welders.

The TIG welder

This is an arc welding process that uses a tungsten electrode. This electrode does not burn off.

Applications: It is used for welding steel, stainless steel, and other non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys.

Advantages:

• It is suitable for alloy steels and light metals.
• It gives a high-quality weld.
• There is no slag and spatter.
• It is suitable for tube processing.
• It can be used outdoors.

Disadvantages:

• It offers a low operating speed.
• It is not suitable for beginners.
• High operating costs.
• It is susceptible to wind.

The oxy acetylene welder

This welder consists of two gas cylinders (fuel gas and oxygen) and a torch nozzle. The flame is generated and the material will be welded.

Applications: It can weld aluminum, copper, brass. It can weld the plates up to 8 mm in thickness.

Advantages:

• It is suitable for unalloyed and alloyed steel.
• No power supply is necessary.
• The heating of the workpiece is moderate.

Disadvantages:

• The welding process is slow.
• It cannot weld a thick metal.

The flux-cored wire welder

This welder uses a self-protecting flux-cored wire, which has alloy additives, gas formers, and additives.

The flux-cored wire welder experience shows that when using flux-cored wire, but the application range is smaller than using shielding gas.

Applications: Various metals of medium thickness.

Advantages:

• It offers a variable adjustment of the current.
• It offers welding without a supply of shielding gas.

Disadvantages:

• It cannot weld thin sheets.
• It does not have very high power.

Also, don’t forget that working with the welding machine should be safe. You should use the welder for its intended purpose and make sure you have a welding mask or face shield. If you are doing difficult work, the mask should have a breathing filter or air supply system. It must also have headphones holders. Also, you should have special clothes made of easily combustible fabrics, leather, or rubberized materials.

Therefore, choose one of the welding machines according to your needs, experience, and budget.