How to Buy an Arc Welder

Whether you do arc welding as a job or a hobby, choosing the right welder is very important. You need an arc welder that suits your needs, has the right features and stays within your budget. A well chosen arc welder can help you complete all of your jobs in the future. Read on to learn how to buy an arc welder.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Type of Work and Safety

1. Work outdoors takes a certain type of welder called a Fluxcore. It's portable and the protects cooling metal even in stronger winds.

2. Use a gas metal welder for inside projects. It produces little splatter and is good to use for projects being painted.

3. Choose an arc welder that carries a seal of approval of either the National Electric Manufacturers Association or Underwriters Laboratory. This assures you of the design safety of the welder you're buying.

Design Features

4. Select a welder with a trigger. This helps you and others remain safe by removing a constant live torch.

5. Find out the thickness of the metal you are going to weld most often. A 90 amp welder is used for metal 2.00mm thick. For very thin metals, using a 25 amp welder would be best.

6. Buy a welder with the correct amperage for the metal.

Tips & Warnings

• Fluxcore welders tend to have a lot of splatter as well as some slag. The final product may have to be cleaned a little.
• Gas metal welders usually have a cleaner weld and works great for cars.
• Buy a welding helmet and gloves to protect your eyes and skin from being burned.

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