There was a time when, like many professions, welding was one of the professions people used to learn to earn their daily bread and support the family.
However, today, both males and females alike are learning welding as a home welder or hobbyist. For many hobby enthusiasts, welding is a way to bring out the artist in them and possibly make it their profession.
MIG welding is one of the easiest welding processes to learn and is very popular among hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. However, you cannot use MIG welding for outdoor work as the turbulence in the surrounding air disturbs the shielding gas, and the welding quality will be bad.
Gasless MIG welding (FCAW) is the solution when you need to work in an outdoor environment or whenever you need to perform MIG welding without bothering yourself with the shielding gas.
Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) or Gasless MIG welding is an arc welding process with many advantages of the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process. But, unlike SMAW, FCAW is amenable to automation due to its continuous flux-cored wire electrode feed.
After careful research and study, we have compiled a list of MIG / FCAW welders to meet the requirements of both hobbyists who want to become medium-level fabricators and professionals.
Take a look at our Gasless MIG welders review and see which one could be your next welder! Let us begin.
Best MIG / Gasless MIG welder for the money in 2024
- Hobart Handler 240 MIG Welder (Best MIG/ Gasless MIG Welder Overall)
- Lincoln POWER MIG 210 MP (Best 220v MIG / Gasless MIG Welder)
- Eastwood 250 Amp MIG Welder (Best Eastwood MIG Welder)
- Everlast Power MIG CYCLONE 200E Welder (Best in Simplicity to Setup)
- Lincoln Power MIG 140MP MIG Welder (Best MIG Welder for Home Use)
- Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder (Best MIG Welder for Beginners)
- Forney Easy Weld 140 MP, Multi-Process Welder (Best MIG Welder for Rugged Work)
- Eastwood MIG 135 Welder (Best MIG Welder Under $300)
- YESWELDER Digital MIG-205 DS MIG Welder (Best Multi-Process Welder Under $500)
- WELDPRO 155 Amps Inverter MIG/stick welder (Best Value for Money)
Best MIG / Gasless MIG Welder Overall
Hobart Handler 240 MIG Welder Review
Hobart IronMan 240 is a dedicated MIG welder for professionals, hobbyists, and small fabricators. The welder features infinite voltage and wire feed control, ensuring a smooth and stable arc at all welding thicknesses and operating on a 30–280A welding amp range.
Hobart 240 is suitable for MIG (GMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) Welding processes. The welder is easy to set and adjust for different materials, including mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, and can weld a wide range of thicknesses.
The Handler IronMan 240 is built with quality and durability and is Hobart’s most popular MIG welder. This is a highly versatile and perfect professional welder for working on maintenance/ repair, construction, manufacturing, auto body, projects of the farm, and art projects.
Users’ feedback is very positive and encouraging, and Hobart’s 5/3/1 industrial warranty ensures quality and reliable welders that do not disappoint.
Pros
• Quality and reliable product, IronMan 240 is one of the most durable, reliable, and high-performing welders.
• The welder is designed, assembled, and supported in Troy, Ohio, USA.
• Hobart 5/3/1 industrial warranty, the welder, is designed to last for an extended period, maintaining its high-performing level and with minimal maintenance or repair.
• The welder is suitable for MIG (GMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) Welding processes.
• The machine is built with overload protection which protects the unit from damage due to overheating.
• The machine comes with all necessary accessories and is ready to use.
• Easy to set and adjust for different materials and thicknesses.
Cons
• Costlier for beginners and hobbyists.
• This is not a multi-process welder.
Key features of Hobart Handler 240 MIG Welder
- Welding amperage ranges 30-280 amperes, and the rated duty cycle is 60% at 200 amperes and 24 VDC.
- Wire feed speed 50-700 inches per minute.
- High machine output duty cycle, increasing productivity with more extended welding periods.
- You can use this welder to weld 24 gauge to 1/2ʺ thick of mild steel.
- Capable of welding steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
- Suitable for MIG (GMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) Welding processes.
- This welder is built with an industrial drive system and a heavy-duty work clamp. Its performance is comparable with an industrial MIG welder.
- Easy, quick, and convenient polarity changeover between MIG and flux-cored wire.
- Self-resetting thermal overload protection (protects power transformer from thermal overload to provide you maximum reliability).
- Infinite voltage and wire feed control selector.
- The welder has a hinged door that gives easy access to the wire drive system.
- The welder comes with a storage cabinet to store spare tips, nozzles, and drive rolls.
- It comes with built-in running gear and a cylinder rack to store the cylinder, making the welder less bulky.
- It comes with a built-in cooling fan to reduce power consumption and enhance welder cooling.
- Designed, assembled, and supported in Troy, Ohio, USA.
- Hobart’s 5/3/1 industrial warranty, five-year warranty on transformers, stabilizers, and main rectifiers, three years on generators, PC boards, and drive systems, and one year on guns (Please get in touch with seller for warranty clauses).
Best 220V MIG / Gasless MIG Welder
Lincoln POWER MIG 210 MP Welder Review
Lincoln PowerMIG 210MP is a multi-process welder suitable for MIG welding and many other processes, including stick, TIG, and flux-cored welding, making it affordable and one of the most versatile welders in its class.
This is a highly versatile and perfect professional welder for working on maintenance & repair welding, general fabrication, auto body shops, construction projects, and much more.
The unit features a portable and rugged case, a 3.5-inch color TFT LCD display for selecting weld processes and adjusting parameters, a cast aluminum-based wire drive system, an integrated switch for activating a Magnum Pro 100SG spool gun, and much more features.
Lincoln 210 MP allows the user to adjust various welding parameters, including; inductance, run-in, spot time, arc force, and hot start.
The Lincoln PowerMIG 210MP is built with quality and durability and is one of Lincoln’s most popular MIG welders. No matter your skill level, this welder won’t disappoint you.
Pros
• A single welder, offering four welding processes (MIG/Flux-Cored/DC TIG/ DC Stick), which can be beneficial for dealing with numerous types of metals and joints.
• Dual voltage welder (120/230V), can plug into the domestic and industrial power supply.
• Capable of MIG welding aluminum with a spool gun.
• Rigid cast aluminum drive system for reliable feeding of MIG and FCAW wires.
• Compatible with TIG foot pedal for current adjusting during TIG welding
• Highly portable welder (40 pounds) and comes aluminum handle for carrying.
• Durable, reliable, and high-performing welder with solid and sturdy built, assuring the machine last for an extended period.
• The machine comes with all necessary accessories and is ready to use.
• 3-year limited warranty.
Cons
• Costlier for beginners and hobbyists.
• No AC TIG welding, meaning you cannot TIG weld aluminum with this welder.
• Foot pedal and adapter are not included in the supply.
Key features of Lincoln POWER MIG 210 MP Welder
- This welder plugs into 120 or 230 volts, which means you can plug it into any common power supply.
- 5-Inch Color TFT LCD Display (320×240 resolution) for easy adjusting of welding processes and parameters.
- Multi-process welder capable of performing MIG (GMAW), flux-cored (FCAW), DC Stick (MMA), and DC TIG (GTAW) welding.
- Easy to set and adjust for different materials, including mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum MIG welding with a spool gun.
- You can use this welder to weld 24 gauge to 5/16ʺ thick mild steel.
- Welding amperage range 20-220 amperes and the rated duty cycle is 25% at 200 amperes.
- Wire feed speed 50-500 inches per minute.
- The welder features interesting MMA welding options, including Adjustable Hot Start for easy arc establishing and Adjustable Inductance and Arc Force which permits fine-tuning of the welding arc.
- This welder is built with an industrial cast aluminum drive system for reliable feeding of MIG and FCAW wires.
- Easy, quick, and convenient polarity changeover between its different welding processes.
- Overload protection of the wire drive motor (Protection circuitry turns off the wire feed unit if the motor becomes overloaded).
- The welder features efficient inverter power technology and power factor correction, which significantly reduces the welder’s power consumption, the efficient inverter reduces the welder size considerably.
- Optional TIG foot pedal for current adjusting during TIG welding (not included in the supply).
- Advanced cooling system with two built-in fans protecting the machine from overheating.
- Lincoln 210 MP comes with a compact and durable case protecting the machine from the intended welding environments.
- Lincoln’s 3-year limited warranty.
Best Eastwood MIG Welder
Eastwood 250 Amp MIG Welder Review
Eastwood 250 MIG Welder is a powerful, lightweight machine easy to use and inexpensive. With its state-of-the-art inverter technology, the welder half as much as similar welders.
The machine price is very attractive; however, it still delivers all the power you need to perform welding for various materials and a wide range of thicknesses. It can run on 120v or 240v, which means you can plug it into any domestic or industrial power supply. Besides, it is engine driven machine, meaning you can easily take it to any job site and run it off a generator.
The MIG 250 Welder is a spool gun compatible; you can also weld aluminum from 14 gauge to ¼-inch thick by adding the optional spool gun.
The welder comes with a Trafimet ERGOPLUS24 8-foot MIG torch and ground clamp, a shielding gas regulator and hose, extra contact tips, an 8-inch wire spool adapter, a roll of 0.030-inch steel MIG wire, and other MIG 250 welding supplies for your shop.
Pros
• 50-250 amp infinite control.
• Welds steel and stainless plates up to ½-inch thick.
• Welds aluminum using an optional spool gun up to ¼-inch 120V or 240V input.
• Use 4-inch or 8-inch wire spool.
• 60% duty cycle at 250 amps.
• Cutting-edge inverter technology produces a lighter-weight welder.
• 3-year warranty.
Cons
• The welder comes with an 8-foot torch lead and the 9.5-foot ground cable, which are insufficient in some applications.
• The machine’s gas diffusor is weak, you must always keep spare in hand.
• The spool gun comes as an optional addition that needs to be purchased separately.
Key features of Eastwood 250 Amp MIG Welder
- It can plug into any power supply source as it can run on 120v or 240v.
- State-of-the-art inverter technology, reducing the welder weight and size to half as much as similar welders. Besides, you get great welds with lower voltages or amp settings.
- Capable of welding steel from 20 gauge to 1/2 inch thick on 240 volts power supply and up to 1/8 inch thick on 120 volts power supply.
- By adding the optional spool gun, the welder will be capable of welding aluminum from 14 gauge to ¼-inch thick.
- It also can take both 4-inch and 8-inch diameter spools
- 60% duty cycle at its full 250-amp setting, the duty cycle can be increased by turning down the Voltage Output Control.
- Generator-driven compatible, you can move the welder to any job site and run it off a generator.
- Eastwood 250 Amp MIG Welder features infinitely adjustable amperage.
Best in Simplicity to Setup
Everlast Power MIG CYCLONE 200E Welder Review
Everlast Power MIG CYCLONE 200E is a dedicated MIG welder for beginners and small fabricators to meet their welding needs.
The welder features a dual voltage 110 V and 220 V power supply and is designed considering the simplicity of use, and this is good for beginners. You only need to know the type of shielding gas (only for MIG), wire diameter, and metal thickness you want to weld. When you select these on the front panel, the machine gives you a workable setting.
MIG 200 E has only two adjustments, one for setting the voltage and the other for setting the wire feed speed, and both these adjustments can be done in a step-less manner (within the range). The welder has a bright, high visibility LCD Digital Display and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
User reviews are positive, and users are happy about the simple settings and the service of Everlast.
Pros
• Good quality dedicated MIG welder for beginners, hobbyists, and small fabricators.
• Bright, high visibility LCD Digital Display.
• PowerSet mode simplifies setup.
• Digital IGBT Inverter design.
• Step-less adjustment of voltage and wire feed speed.
• Spool gun capable.
• 5-year limited warranty.
Cons
• Price is slightly high for a beginner and hobbyist welder.
• Ground cable length is not sufficient.
Key features of Everlast Power MIG CYCLONE 200E Welder
- The MIG 200E is built on an IGBT inverter platform and delivers power and performance at an affordable price.
- Dual voltage 110 V and 220 V.
- Digital IGBT Inverter MIG Power, the welder, boasts one of the best duty cycles in the industry for 120V.
- Spool gun capable, the unit is ready to weld with the optional SM100N Spool Gun.
- MIG 200E is for beginners and small fabricators who want a dedicated MIG welder to meet their welding needs.
- Recommended metals are Steel, stainless steel, Chrome, Molly, and aluminum (with optional spool gun).
- The welder generates less spatter.
- The MIG welder 200E is designed considering the simplicity of use, and this is good for beginners. You only need to know the type of shielding gas, wire diameter, and metal thickness you want to weld. When you select these on the front panel, the machine gives you a workable setting.
- Built-in drive for wire feeder which you can adjust the wire tension using a thumb knob.
- Recommended areas of use are home, light fabrication, farm/ranch, general repair, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), etc.
- 5-year limited warranty.
Best MIG Welder for Home Use
Lincoln Power MIG 140MP Welder Review
The 140 MP power MIG is from the trusted and reliable brand Lincoln Electric. It is designed and built for beginners and hobbyists.
The welder is made in the USA, versatile and multi-process, capable of MIG welding, DC TIG welding, and stick welding.
Lincoln Power MIG 140MP welder features separate knobs for controlling voltage and wire feed speed and a single button for selecting the welding process.
You can do home projects and repair, auto bodywork, sheet metal work, etc.
Pros
• Reliable brand and made in the USA.
• Multi-process welder MIG/Flux-cored/DC TIG/stick.
• Easy control for the wire feed speed and voltage.
• Simple to use for beginners and hobbyists.
• Changing the wire spool is fast and simple with no need for any tools.
• Plugs into 120 V domestic power.
• Lightweight and portable (34.5 pounds).
Cons
• Cannot be used on 220 V.
• TIG torch and the foot pedal are not included in the supply.
Key features of Lincoln Power MIG 140MP Welder
- This welder is versatile and multi-process, capable of MIG welding (30-140 amps), DC TIG welding (10-120 amps), and stick welding (25-90 amps).
- Plugs into 120 V domestic power.
- You can control the wire feed speed and voltage by operating the two knobs.
- Lightweight and portable (34.5 pounds).
- One button for easy selection of the required process.
- Brass to brass MIG gun connection boosts conductivity.
- A rigid spool drive helps the alignment of wires.
- The cast aluminum body and an enclosed multistage gearbox ensure improved torque and quiet working.
- Easy to operate and use wire feed system.
- Simple tension adjustment with numeric tension indicators.
- Changing the wire spool is fast and simple (no tools required).
- The dual-track drive roll ensures positive flux-cored wire feeding with common wire diameters.
- Aluminum welding can be performed; however, it requires an optional spool gun.
- 3-years limited warranty.
Best MIG Welder for Beginners
Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder Review
Hobart Handler 140 is a dedicated MIG welder for beginners, hobbyists, and small fabricators. Hobart (One of the top names in the welding industry) has made this low-cost and affordable MIG welder that you can purchase and use in your garage and for small fabrications.
The welder is a highly versatile and perfect home welder for working on auto body, household repairs, projects of the farm, and art projects. The welder is suitable for MIG (GMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) welding processes.
Hobart Handler 140 is easy to set and adjust for different materials, including mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, and can weld a wide range of thicknesses.
In general, users’ feedback is positive and encouraging. Hobart’s 5/3/1 industrial warranty ensures quality and reliable welders that do not disappoint. Besides, this welder is made in the United States, providing the welder is built with prime quality components.
Pros
• Quality and reliable product, Hobart Handler 140 is one of the most durable, reliable, and high-performing welders.
• The welder is designed, assembled, and supported in Troy, Ohio, USA.
• Hobart 5/3/1 industrial warranty, the welder is designed to last for an extended period, maintaining its high-performing level and with minimal maintenance or repair.
• The welder is suitable for MIG (GMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) Welding processes.
• The machine is built with self-resetting thermal overload protection, protecting the unit from overheating damage.
• The machine comes with all necessary accessories and is ready to use.
• Easy to set and adjust for different materials and thicknesses.
Cons
• The welder is not spool gun ready.
• This is not a multi-process welder.
• Limited welding thickness range for aluminum.
Key features of the product of Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder
- This welder plugs into domestic power 115 volts.
- Wire feed speed 40-700 inches per minute and 50-740 inches per minute at no load.
- You can use this welder to weld 24 gauge to 1/4ʺ thick mild steel.
- Suitable for MIG (GMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) welding processes.
- Easy to set and adjust for different materials, including mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
- Welding amperage range 25-140 amperes, and the rated duty cycle is 20% at 90 amperes and 19 volts.
- This welder is built with an industrial cast aluminum drive system and a heavy-duty work clamp. Its performance is comparable with an industrial MIG welder.
- Spool hub assembly accommodates 4 or 8-inch spools.
- Easy, quick, and convenient polarity changeover between the solid and flux-cored wire.
- Self-resetting thermal overload protection (protects power transformer from thermal overload to provide you maximum reliability).
- Ten position wire feed speed selector knob.
- Five output voltage settings with wire feed tracking make the unit easy to set and adjust for different materials and thicknesses.
- The welding guide included the owner’s manual to help the beginner welder setting the machine according to the metal thickness to be welded.
- Designed, assembled, and supported in Troy, Ohio, USA.
- Hobart’s 5/3/1 industrial warranty.
Best MIG Welder for Rugged Work
Forney Easy Weld 140 MP, Multi-Process Welder Review
Forney Easy Weld 140 MP, a Multi-Process welder, is a good multi-process welder, performing MIG/DC TIG/stick welding. The welder is suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and small fabricators.
Works on domestic 120 volts supply. This welder is set up to do flux core welding, but you can easily switch to MIG with gas.
DC TIG welding is also a function of the Forney 140; however, extra gear and accessories such as a TIG torch and gas regulator will be required to be purchased.
The welder features a three-position selector switch for selecting MIG, TIG, and stick and infinite controls (within the range) for voltage and wire feed speed.
The Forney 140 Multi-Process welder is set up and ready to go with gasless flux core capability.
Pros
• Good MIG welder for beginners, hobbyists, and small fabricators.
• Extremely light and portable, the welder weighs 20.3 pounds only.
• Multi-process welder, MIG/DC TIG/stick.
• Infinite controls (within the range) for voltage and wire feed speed.
• Handles 2 and 10 pounds wire rolls.
Cons
• TIG welding accessories are optional at extra cost.
• No foot pedal operation on this machine.
• Plugs only on 120V power supply.
Key features of the product of Forney Easy Weld 140 MP, Multi-Process Welder
- 3-in-one multi-process welder, MIG/DC TIG/stick (TIG welding accessories are not included in the supply).
- Rated output voltage range is 12-23V. The rated output current range is 43-110A. The full output current range is 10-140A.
- Integrated handle with torch wrap.
- Three-position selector switch for selecting MIG, TIG, and stick.
- Infinite controls (within the range) for voltage and wire feed speed.
- Rugged built, built with all metal case.
- Can handle 2 and 10 pounds rolls of wire and built-in full metal wire drive unit.
- 1-year limited warranty.
Best MIG Welder Under $300
Eastwood 135 Amp MIG Welder Review
Budget dedicated MIG welder for beginners and hobbyist home welders that work on 120 V AC domestic power.
The Eastwood MIG 135 welder is designed in the USA. You can do solid wire MIG welding as well as flux-cored welding with this welder.
You can MIG weld mild and stainless steel as thin as 24 gauge and weld up to 3/16ʺ with solid core wire and up to 1/4ʺ with flux core wire.
Eastwood 135 comes with a 3-year limited warranty for peace of mind welding for at least three years.
Pros
• Budget dedicated MIG welder for beginners and hobbyists.
• Welds mild and stainless steel as thin as 24 gauge.
• The welder controls are easy to use.
• Industry-standard Tweco-type torch.
• Spool gun compatible.
• Infinite adjustment controls.
• 3-year warranty.
Cons
• Duty cycle 20% at 90 amperes.
• This is not a multi-process welder.
• Works on domestic power 120V only.
Key features of the product of Eastwood 135 Amp MIG Welder
- The Eastwood MIG 135 welder is a compact and affordable welder designed for beginners and DIY home hobby enthusiasts.
- 20% duty cycle at 90 amperes is sufficient for light fabrication welds.
- You can plug it into a household 120 volts source.
- You can weld mild and stainless steel as thin as 24 gauge (0.511 mm). And weld up to 3/16ʺ with solid core wire and up to 1/4ʺ with flux core wire.
- The welder controls are easy to use.
- Comes with Tweco-style Torch.
- Good quality portable MIG welder, designed in the USA and manufactured in China.
- This welder has infinitely adjustable wire feed speed and heat settings and a precision drive motor (for wire feed).
- Comes with regulator and hose for MIG welding.
- Can also be used for Flux-Core welding.
- Compatible with spool gun for efficient welding of aluminum.
- There is a quick set weld chart on the inside of the cover, and this chart specifies the settings for each metal thickness and makes welding easy.
- The welding range of 25-135 amperes enables you to adjust the power according to the metal and its thickness (the duty cycle will increase or decrease accordingly).
- 3-year limited warranty.
Best Multi-Process Welder Under $500
YesWelder MIG-205DS Multi-Process Welder Review
Many newbies or even professional welders ask, which is the best affordable welder? Which welder can do all types of welding? Well, you might have heard that YesWelder MIG-205DS Multi-Process Welder fits the description, and it is!
YesWelder MIG-205DS Multi-Process Welder is a powerful multi-process welder that offers versatile features to suit professional welders yet is affordable and low-cost. Besides, it is suitable for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts who are eager to learn the skill of MIG welding.
The welder is a low-cost and affordable multi-process welder that performs MIG/MAG/ Flux Core/ARC/Lift TIG. You can purchase it and use it in your garage for doing projects.
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Pros
• Multi-process welder MIG/MAG/ Flux Core/ARC/Lift TIG welding.
• Dual voltage power supply 110 V/220 V.
• Compact and light, weighing 23 pounds only.
• Bright LCD display.
• Pure copper transformer.
• 2T and 4T MIG welding mode.
• Gas-on button to adjust the regulator pre-welding.
• Compact and light
• Synergic Controlled on MIG function.
Cons
• Only one-year limited warranty.
• TIG torch and gas regulator is not part of the supply.
• The welder cannot be used with spool guns.
• TIG process is DC only; you will not be able to TIG weld aluminum.
• User Manual and Welding Guide that come with the machine are short and poorly written.
Key features of YesWelder MIG-205DS welder
- Output amperage range of 30 to 205A (MIG) and 20-180A (MMA) (at 220V).
- Synergic Controlled on MIG function.
- Automatic change of the voltage & wire feeding speed when you adjust the amperage or choose different thicknesses.
- Multi-process welder MIG/MAG/ Flux Core/ARC/Lift TIG welding (lift TIG is optional).
- Has a safety feature with an automatic protection function for over-current, over-voltage, and over-heating.
- IGBT inverter technology gives high power in a compact and light welder (33 pounds).
- 2T and 4T mode, use 2T for spot welding and simple work and 4 T for continuous long welding.
- Pure copper transformer produces incomparable conduction, higher reliability rating. Besides, it is a smaller size.
- One button for selecting gas and gasless welding, Gas MIG/Gasless MIG/lift TIG/stick.
- This welder can handle 2 pounds (4 inches diameter) and 10 pounds (8 inches diameter) wire rolls.
- Type of wire feeder-Built-in two rollers single drive.
- You can use this welder for decoration welding, modification of car body, and equipment maintenance work.
- You can easily switch over to different welding conditions.
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Best Value for Money
WELDPRO 155 Amps Inverter MIG/stick welder Review
This budget welder is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists, and home welders.
The WELDPRO MIG 155 is a versatile and capable welder designed to meet the demanding welding jobs.
This multi-process welder (MIG/Flux core/stick and scratch TIG) works on dual voltage 120 V/240 V.
The welder comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
• Multi-process welder MIG/Flux core/stick and DC scratch TIG.
• Dual voltage-110 V/220 V.
• 2T and 4T Modes.
• The welder is generator-driven.
• Budget welder suitable for beginners and hobbyists.
• Compact design is lightweight and portable
• MIG torch can be removed and replaced by Weldpro’s aluminum spool gun.
Cons
• Scratch TIG torch is not supplied with the welder.
• Wire spools are limited to 4in.
• Comes with plastic wire drive housing.
Key features of WELDPRO 155 MIG/stick welder
- This is a multi-process welder, MIG/Flux core/stick and scratch TIG.
- Works on 115V or 230V input power.
- This welder can run 0.023ʺ, 0.03ʺ, and 0.035ʺ solid wire MIG and flux-cored wire.
- Changing the polarity is very simple in this welder.
- The welder is generator-driven, allowing it to move to different job sites.
- This welder is very versatile and can handle almost all DC welding needs.
- This welder comes with a longer and removable MIG torch cable. This helps easy transportation, easy servicing and gives the ability to run a WELDPRO optional aluminum spool gun.
- It feeds wire at 78 in. to 396 in. per minute and has infinitely adjustable wire speed.
- The welder features 2T and 4T Modes.
- Welds up to 1/4 in. mild steel, both MIG, flux-cored, and stick welding.
- The advantages of this welder are stable wire feed rate, portable, saves energy, free of electromagnetic noise, reduced spatter, and easy start of the arc.
- This welder is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists, and home welders.
- The cold contactor safety feature keeps the welding wire electrically cold until the gun trigger is pressed.
- 3-year limited warranty.
MIG Welding Machine Buyers Guide
How to choose the best MIG welding machine?
We are giving you a few tips that may help make the decision easy and simple.
Before you start looking for MIG machines:
MIG welding is the easiest welding process to learn, and the welding quality is good. However, since you have to deal with electricity and heat, it is not safe to operate a MIG welder without formal training. Learn MIG welding from an experienced professional welder or your friend who has experience in welding.
Your MIG welder has a welding gun with a trigger that controls the wire feed. The feeding of the wire is automatic and happens as per the wire feed speed set by you, and both hands are free to manipulate the MIG gun.
The good thing in Gasless MIG welding, it that you cut one parameter, which is the shielding gas, that requires setup and some understanding of types and flow rate.
Consider the following before you explore and decide on your MIG machine:
What do you propose to do?
You have to consider how you want to use your MIG welder? Do you want to pursue MIG welding as a home welder or Hobbyist, or are you planning to use it in your current profession? A clear thought on this will help your decision-making.
What metals do you want to weld?
MIG welders are normally capable of welding mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Please verify and note down your requirement for metal to be welded before you start exploring the best welder.
Another thing is the thickness of the metal. It would be best to consider the metal thickness you are going to weld since this decides the range of current (amperage) required in the welder. Clarity on these things is vital to select the correct machine.
Minimum and maximum output current are important; minimum current indicates the minimum thickness you can weld, and maximum current indicates the maximum thickness you can weld.
Where do you want to use your MIG machine?
You will get MIG machines working on 220 or 110 volts or 110 V and 220 V (dual working). With dual working 110 V/220 V, you can do your projects at your home or workshop.
What is your budget?
Either you can go for cheap MIG machines that cost around USD 200 or go for a middle-level MIG machine that can cost you under USD 1000. Another option is going for moderately high-end branded MIG machines (less than USD 2500).
The advantage of cheap machines is you can afford to make some mistakes as a beginner, and you may not worry much if something happens to the machine. One negative fact about low-cost MIG machines is they may not be built to last longer.
Also, you need to remember that you cannot start MIG welding the moment you receive the machine. You have to spend on the shielding gas (CO2, argon, or a mixture of gasses) and other accessories or consumables (wire spools), etc., depending on the welder you are purchasing and its scope of supply.
However, when you go for flux-cored arc welding, you can start welding with the sample wire received in the box or purchased from a local store without the need for shielding gas.
Duty cycle
Duty cycle means the total length of time you can operate the welder without overheating it. Usually, a 10 minutes cycle is considered. If your MIG welder says 30% duty cycle at 200 amperes, it means you can weld for 3 minutes continuously and then allow it to cool for 7 minutes. Evaluate your need and understand this feature before making your decision.
The next question is multi-process welders or only MIG?
Today you can buy welding machines that can do welding by more than one process. There are welding machines that can do MIG/FCAW and stick, or MIG/FCAW, TIG, stick, etc.
All multi-process machines are strong in one primary welding process with more features, followed by a secondary welding process with comparatively fewer features.
Here, you have to decide your priority; the priority can be primarily for MIG or TIG and other secondary processes.
Weight and portability
Portability becomes essential if you plan to use it in more than one place (like home and workshop). The weight of the equipment is an important factor here.
Guarantee
Guarantee is another crucial factor. Please study and understand the guarantee period and guarantee clauses clearly. Ask for clarifications if you are in doubt.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, MIG welding or TIG welding?
TIG welding has better arc stability and is considered more clean compared to MIG welding since the arc in TIG welding is struck between the non-consumable tungsten electrode and the work (the arc in MIG welding is between the consumable wire and the work). This makes the TIG welding highly suitable for the weldments used in the food, chemical, and pharma industry.
However, MIG welding has a higher deposition rate than TIG (due to automatic wire feed), and the weld quality is good, making it suitable for light and heavy fabrications that need fast welding.
Which is easier to learn, MIG welding or TIG welding?
MIG welding is easier to learn compared to TIG welding since the skill level required for MIG welding is low. Setting a MIG welder is simpler than a TIG welder. The automatic wire feed in MIG leaves your hands free for manipulating the MIG gun.
It is always good to learn MIG and then TIG.
Can you weld aluminum with a Gasless MIG welder?
You can weld aluminum using gasless welding. However, FCAW is normally not used for welding nonferrous metals like aluminum.
All gasless welder is originally a normal MIG welding; you can swap to MIG welding whenever you weld aluminum for better quality weldments.
What are the metals that can be welded using a MIG welder?
Normally, you can use your MIG welder for welding steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. The thickness can be 24 gauge to the maximum thickness allowed by the welder.
Can I use MIG welding for outdoor work?
No, it is not advisable to use MIG welding for outdoor work. The turbulence in the surrounding air disturbs the shielding gas, and welding quality will be bad.
However, you can perform flux-cored arc welding without shielding gas, which can be used for outdoor work.
What is the current type used in MIG welding?
Normally, the current used in MIG welding is DC (direct current). AC (alternating current) is not preferred in MIG welding.
Our final verdict
We have reviewed the top-selling MIG / Gasless MIG welders, equipped you with helpful tips to assist you in making a wise decision.
Each welder is reviewed in detail to help you understand the machine, and finally, we have answered a few frequently asked questions to help you.
Whatever brand you pick, regardless of its popularity, you’ll come across some negative opinions about it. However, that doesn’t mean every brand is alike.
To determine the most reliable MIG / Gasless MIG welder on the market, you must compare the essential features you are looking for and your project requirements.
Some of the welders are a bit expensive. However, if you put in some hard work, you may be able to recover your investment within a short time. We hope our reviews will help you find your next Gasless MIG welder!