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The Essentials of Selecting the Right MIG Welder

The Essentials of Selecting the Right MIG Welder

The Essentials of Selecting the Right MIG Welder

MIG welding is one of the most common forms of welding in the industry. This process uses a consumable electrode and shielding gas to complete quality welds with a variety of metals. If you’re planning on giving MIG welding a shot, you should step back and consider a few factors before buying anything. This guide will help you understand the essentials of selecting the right MIG welder so you can find the best one to fit your specific needs.

Frequency of Use

One of the first factors to take into consideration when shopping for welders is how frequently you plan to use it. If you’re only going to use it a handful of times during the year for relatively quick projects, a light-duty welder will do you just fine. If you’re going to be working on thicker metals that require more time and heat to weld, seek out a more robust heavy-duty welder for the job.

Weight

Utilizing the weight of your welder can be very advantageous. How often will you be moving it around, if at all? If you need to move between job sites or other locations with your welding, a lightweight, portable welder might best fit your needs, However, if you go for a heavy-duty welder, you can still maneuver it with the help of a welding cart.

Voltage Requirements

You have to make sure that the outlet powering the welder has the means to do so. For instance, if you’re working with a household 120-volt circuit, you can’t use a welder that runs on more than 120 volts. If you require a more heavy-duty welder, then you have to make sure you have the power to supply it with. Plus, you should never put anything else on the same circuit your welder is on. By doing that, the welder won’t get the full voltage potential of the circuit because it’s sharing energy between multiple devices.


Cable Length

There are different cords and cables that you’ll need to power your welding gear. Connecting the MIG welder to the welding gun requires its own hose, and so does connecting the welder to the grounding clamp. When shopping for a MIG welder, make sure the cables that come with it are long enough to provide you with the flexibility you need in the workplace. Few things are more frustrating than getting ready to weld, only to discover you don’t have enough cord length to get the job done properly.

With a better understanding of the essentials of selecting the right MIG welder, you’ll be able to find the right gear for your needs. It should go without saying that welding with the wrong tools or safety precautions in place can lead to low-quality welds, and even worse, injuries to you or anyone else nearby. Thankfully, with the right precautions and gear by your side, you’ll be MIG welding with ease and precision. At Welding for Less, we offer the best prices for a wide range of quality MIG welding accessories that include gas tanks/hoses, contact tips, nozzles, pliers, and more.

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