Ever priced a new welder? I’m sure it didn’t take you long to start doing the math and realize they aren’t exactly cheap. The problem is, you can’t exactly purchase the most luxurious of all vehicles, either, so what do you do?
Well, if you haven’t tried to find the cheapest welder or don’t even know how to find a cheap welder in your area, then you need to continue reading.
Here are tips on how to get one of the best cheap welders quickly and affordably.
Top 9 Cheap Welders Comparison Table
| Price | Name | Duty Cycle | Voltage | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A Gas and Gasless Welding | 60% | 110 / 220 Volts | 4.4 |
 | 2. Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder | 30% @ 200A | 110 / 240 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 3. Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST | 30% @ 80A | 120 Volts | 4.5 |
 | 4. LOTOS TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder | 60% @ 150A | 110 / 220 Volts | 4.5 |
 | 5. SUPER DEAL PRO Commercial MIG 130 AC Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welder | 35% @ 60A | 110 Volts | 4.4 |
 | 6. HITBOX New Arrival Mig Welder | 60% @ 250A | 220 Volts | 3.9 |
 | 7. YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder | 60% @ 200A | 220 Volts | 4.5 |
 | 8. Amico Professional Welding Machine DC Welder | 80% @ 200A | 100 / 250 Volts | 4.7 |
 | 9. Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder | 30% @ 90A | 120 Volts | 4.7 |
How to Choose the Right Type of Welder for Your Needs
To be able to get the best cheap welder, you need to consider several factors. Here are some critical factors you need to look at before deciding to purchase the best budget welder.
Duty Cycle
This is a critical factor to consider when buying the best cheap welder. Duty cycle refers to the amount of time a welder is allowed to operate before it must cool down for another period of time.
You must acknowledge the fact that your welder may underperform, if you outwork it and, this can result in damaging it. To ensure that your budget-friendly welder performs efficiently, you need to pay close attention to the duty cycle.
Portability
If you are buying a heavy-duty welder, you need to prepare to do a lot of work when moving it from one point to another. If you will be working on multiple sites, you have every reason to go for the portable welder.
Portability is one of the important factors to look out for when you are buying cheap welder. The most portable arc welders are the stick welder and the mig welder.
Both these kinds of welders are easily movable and do not require a lot of space. These can be moved from one place to another with ease.
Power Input
Another factor to consider when buying a cheap welder is the power input. The average power input required to get a welder working efficiently is 110v to 220v.
Irrespective of the welder you get, make sure it receives the required current for it to operate efficiently.
Application and Maintenance
This is another critical factor to consider when buying a budget-friendly welder. You will have to consider everything that is required to get it working in the best way possible.
You need to check if it comes with all that you need or you have to purchase some extra accessories. You need to check all this out.
You also have to consider the maintenance cost of the welder before you buy one. No one would want to purchase a welder every other month due to increased maintenance issues.
Therefore, you need to understand the proper ways of maintaining and managing your welder.
Top 5 Best Cheap Welders Review
1. SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A Gas and Gasless Welding
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 11.9 inches
- Weight: 29.2 pounds
- Duty Cycle: 60%
- Voltage: 110 / 220 Volts
The SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A Gas and Gasless Welding features an adjustable wire feed speed and welding current that you can adjust to suit your application and allow you to weld with different thicknesses.
Additionally, gas-shielded MIG welding and Gasless flux-cored welding are also available for this machine. The Metal Inert Gases feature of this welding machine enables the user to work on any metallic material.
It features a feed mask that enhances your safety while operating it. You can easily set up the welding parameters to complete the project the way you pictured it. The inch wire enables it to have an easy time feeding the wire during the setup.
The wastage of gas and the burn-back adjustment leave out the wire ready for the welding task that follows.
2. Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 17.72 x 8.66 x 14.96 inches
- Weight: 30.4 pounds
- Duty Cycle: 30% at 200 Amp
- Voltage: 110 / 240 Volts
- Warranty: 3 years
The Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi-Process Welder can do almost everything related to welding. It features a dual digital display that easily sets amperage and wire speed that allows the user to kick start their welding activities with ease.
It has a VRD high temperature and overload protection that has an indicator. It features some adjustable inductance settings that enable you to operate it effectively. This welder comes with a three-year warranty.
It excels in both TIG and MIG functions. Learning how to use this welder is easy as it has a synthetic feature that allows for that. Its synthetic core has preset internal parameters built into it. This helps you determine the ideal range of settings for your particular welding venture.
These settings make it easy for you to balance the voltage/amperage with the wire feed for MIG welding and enable TIG settings to be selected with a lot of ease.
All that is required of you is to turn it on, set some minor basic adjustments if required, and begin your welding project.
The good thing about this welder is that it is easy to move around with. It turns out to be the best multi-purpose TIG and MIG welder that is budget-friendly. You can undertake any kind of welding project with this machine.
3. Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 16.25 x 8 x 12.5 inches
- Weight: 13.74 pounds
- Duty Cycle: 30% at 80 Amp
- Voltage: 110 / 240 Volts
- Warranty: 1 year
The Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST is a portable, lightweight inverter power source that welds 16 gauge up to 5/16 inch metal without a problem. It is the ideal welder machine for dome automotive applications and other projects in your home.
It comes in handy if you are a DIY enthusiast. The controls are easy to use and very simple to operate. It weighs only 13.74 pounds for easy portability.
It operates effectively at 120V and is capable of delivering 90A output. You can run this welder off a generator as long as the generator has a 110V/120V input.
It’s durable enough to weld even in extreme conditions. With a duty cycle of 30% at 80 amps, this welder is the perfect tool to get any job done.
4. LOTOS TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 28 x 13 x 17 inches
- Weight: 58 pounds
- Duty Cycle: 60% at 150 Amp
- Voltage: 110 / 220 Volts
- Warranty: 1 year
The LOTOS TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder offers the user a simple selection of controls to conveniently set it to function under various conditions.
Its inverter that is of the square-wave model allows it to weld fine aluminum with utmost effectiveness. It effectively enables the user to switch from 220v to 110v with the included adapter plug and generates AC/DC 200 Amps for STICK and TIG welding.
It is an ideal welding machine for a professional welder or a homeowner with a project that requires quality features. It features an HF torch, and a pedal for controlling the heat. It is ideal for welding aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and some other metallic materials.
It features a PAPST advanced cooling system that ensures the plasma cutter has a durable and stable performance. The package includes dual frequency and dual-frequency (50/60Hz, 220/240V, 110/120V).
It also includes an Argon Regulator, Foot pedal, Stick/MMA clamp, TIG torch, power supply cable, and a pigtail converter. It comes with a one-year warranty.
5. SUPER DEAL PRO Commercial MIG 130 AC Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welder
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 20.25 x 15 x 12.5 inches
- Weight: 38 pounds
- Duty Cycle: 35% at 60 Amp
- Voltage: 110 Volts
- Warranty: 1 year
The SUPER DEAL PRO Commercial MIG 130 AC Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welder is lightweight, intuitive, and powerful. This makes it ideal to handle any welding project. It is made of high-class PVC material.
It combines high precision, easy operation, and comfortable grip altogether. This welder uses convenient flux, self-release metal-inert gas, and cored wire while welding and, this ensures that the welded part is prevented from the oxidation process.
It has a user-friendly interface that allows for an easy set-up. The SUPER DEAL mig has the power to carry out even the hardest task and make them look easy. It makes you feel ready to kick start your welding venture confidently.
It allows you to operate it at variable speed controls. You can adjust the flow easily by altering the 4 buttons for MAX/MIN, 1/2. It also comes with knob that helps one regulate the speed of operation.
It comes with ten wire feeding levels that you can choose from. In addition, this welder features a torch with all the safety controls fitted in it.
The SUPER DEAL PRO commercial welder is a compact and powerful machine. It weighs thirty-eight pounds making it easy to move around with. It fits well for field use, home use, or even workshops. It will perfectly weld stainless steel and mild steel with ultimate perfection.
It comes with a reel of 0.9mm, chipping/brush Hammer, protection mask, and 0.55lbs. This product has all the features you would like in a welder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Welder Do I Need for 1/2 Steel?
Generally speaking, you need 1 amp of power to weld 0.001 inches of steel thickness. A half 250 amp unit can weld ½ inch steel.
How Thick Can a 150 Amp Welder Weld?
When using a butt weld of 150 amp, you can weld a steel thickness of 4 mm. the V and root gap weld of 150 amp will weld a maximum steel thickness of 6mm.
Is Solder as Strong as Welding?
Soldering involves joining metals together that are stronger than the solder itself. This way of metal joining is not strong as welding. A joint done by solder is likely to be a breaking point, while a welded joint is stronger than the base metal.
Are Gasless MIG Welders Any Good?
Gasless MIG welders can weld stainless and mild steel, the metal that is 20 gauge up to one inch. It also welds metals with dirt, paint, rust, and other debris.
Advantages of using gasless MIG welders include:
- Can be used in windy or outdoors condition
- It is portable
- Welds metal with rust, paint, dirt, and other debris
- You can easily penetrate a thicker metal while welding
- High deposition and productivity rate
- With proper filler material, it can be used in all positions
How Many Amps Does it Take to Weld 1/4 Aluminum?
Aluminum is different from other type’s metals as it takes more heat to weld. As stated earlier, the rule is for 1 amp, you will weld 0.001 inches, all factors kept constant. In the case of aluminum, ¼ inch will need 250 amp to weld.
This figure can go to 300amp depending on the type and quality of the welder used.
How to Maximize the Potential of a Cheap Welder?
Understanding what type of welding you plan to do is vital in maximizing the potential of your cheap welder.
Consider the following category to choose your model:
Welding Discipline
MIG welding works well for aluminum alloys and steel. One can apply it on different materials and suit plates of metals that are a little bit thick. For cast iron, Stick welding will work wonderfully. For exotic and thinner metals, TIG welding is best. Choose the welder depending on your plan.
Power Specification
Consider the power output and input as a cheap welder may need direct current, alternating current, or both. Most cheap welders have an output of 100- 150 amp. Such an output can limit the thickness of the metal welded.
Welder Status
Most cheap welders are refurbished, welders. They were returned because the first owner faced a problem with it. They may be repaired and ready to function but remember it is not a brand new welder.
Can a Cheap Welder Perform Both MIG and TIG Welding Tasks?
To be clear on this, the capacity of Flux-core, TIG, and MIG welding does not entirely depend on the price but rather the manufacturer.
They decide on which welding functionality to include in the welder and which needs to be left out. A good example is the Forney Easy 298 that supports stick welding, MIG, and TIG.
Conclusion
When looking for the best cheap welder, you need to consider the factors discussed above. That way you get the right welder to work on your projects. You can with any of the above welders discussed above.
They are budget-friendly and that does not compromise their functionality. You will be able to undertake any kind of welding project with these products.
