The inverter welder is the device that revolutionized conventional welding. Welding is a fairly common activity both at a professional and amateur level, therefore not only in the construction field but also in the do-it-yourself.
Like most tools, welding tools have also evolved to satisfy a growing and increasingly heterogeneous audience. Many doubts have arisen regarding the reliability of this type of welding machine following its launch on the market.
This fact should not surprise us, technological innovations are always accompanied by many doubts. However, over time, the inverter welder has managed to conquer everyone, establishing itself as a reliable and effective machine.
Right below we had selected the best inverter welders that are present below.
- 🛡️【Latest Model】Connects to 120V or 230V receptacles with 200A/250A input current. Welds mild steel, weld steel,...
- 🛡️【Energy Saving King】Handles E6011/6013/6014/7018 and E6010 welding of stainless steel, mild steel, and other metal...
- 🛡️【Portable Design】Features a smart digital display and alarm LED to read output welding current. Equipped with...
- 🛡️【More Powerful】Up to 250 more amps for ideal performance with most 6010, 6011, 6013, and 7018 rods.
- 🛡️【Digital Control Safety】Select welding electrode diameter and the recommended welding current will be automatically...
- IGBT Power Modules increase reliability and performance
- Operation down to 5 Amps DC and 10 amps AC
- 2T/4T/ Pedal operation modes with additional 2T/4T mode for torch amptrol operation.
- Pulse up to 500Hz in DC, 250 Hz AC
- 10Hz Advanced AC Pulse mode improves penetration on thicker metals, and can reduce warping and burn through on thinner metals
- Weldpro's flagship 200 amp MIG welder that goes beyond MIG and Flux Core welding! AND 3 YEAR WARRANTY!
- The model 200 is also capable of true lift TIG welding (without foot pedal) as well as stick welding and aluminum welding with the...
- MIG,Stick or TIG weld all from a single compact, space-saving unit. Welding Amperage Ranges230V: MIG: 40-200A; MMA: 40-200A; TIG:...
- MIG welding wire diameter: .023 .030 .035, welding thickness: 19ga- 0.197 in; TIG tungsten needle diameter: 0.063 0.094, welding...
- Dual digital display easy to read and set amperage and wire speed for repeatable welds every time. VRD high temp and overload...
- WELD ANYWHERE: Plug in the Century FC90 flux-cored wire feed welder anywhere 120V input power is available
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: Ideal for maintenance and mobile welders, thanks to its small and lightweight inverter design and shoulder...
- FC90 WELDER FEATURES: Automatic thermal protector shuts off output until machine cools to a normal operating temperature; Easy to...
- SMOOTH OPERATION: Inverter power source makes it more efficient to operate and provides smoother weld characteristics compared to...
- PERFECT FOR SMALL WELD JOBS: This machine is best for DIY projects, hobbyists, home repairs and more; Infinite welding voltage...
- More powerful : Up to 205 more amps, Ideal performance for most 6010, 6011, 6013 and 7018 rods.
- Safety : Automatic compensation for voltage fluctuation, over current protection, over load protection,temperature control
- Automatic Hot Start : Boosts the current during starting to provides easy, quick and reliable arc starts
- Auto Adaptive Arc Force : minimizes electrode sticking in the puddle without compromising arc stability or increased spatter
- Portable:Compact Design,Weighing in at just under 10 lbs.(4.5kg) ,so you can work smarter not harder by bringing the welder to the...
- Compact – portable – very capable quality welder that can run on either 110/115 or 220/230 volts which makes this a true...
- Working voltage: 115V/230±15%; 30 to 155 Amp welding range; In MMA mode, this welder can be used as a very nice scratch arc TIG...
- Comfortably welds up to 1/4 in. mild steel that is properly prepared using 220 volt input, in both MIG, flux-cored and stick...
- This model uses an advanced compact IGBT inverter design with automatic overheat and over current welding protection.
- The model 155 incorporates 2T/4T modes. 4T is useful if you have a long weld to do, as it saves you having to hold the trigger...
- SYNERGIC CONTROL: The recommend current and wire feeding speed will be automatically matched after selected diameter of the...
- 3-IN-1 WELDER: 3 welding modes Flux Core Gasless MIG/ Lift TIG/ MMA meet your different requirements (Need to buy extra Lift tig...
- SAFETY PROTECTION: The welder comes with an attached MIG torch and power cable, you can weld after unpacking the box, it’s...
- PORTABLE AND COMPACT: The machine weighs only 11.79 pounds, and you can freely carry it anywhere with a handle or shoulder strap....
- WARM SERVICE & 2-YEAR WARRANTY: 30-Day Money Back Guarantee and 2-Year Warranty. Every single of our welder machines passed...
- ➠【Digital IGBT Inverter Technology】This ARC welder come with advaced unique IGBT control mode improves the reliability of...
- ➠【Suitable for Series Welding Rod】The welder has amazing hot-start, is ideal for the rods AWS E6013 E7018 E6011 of...
- ➠【Safe and Stable】This welding machine has Anti-stick function easy the electrode removal from the workpiece, and...
- ➠【Easy to Operate】The soldadora inverter 110V 220V equiped with digital display and trouble indicate, the real welding...
- ➠【Portable and Support】HONE welder with a easy carrying handle, compact design, light weight, easy for carrying and storage,...
- Weld up to .030"(0.8mm) and .035" (0.9mm)with flux core wire.Can Handle E7018 basic electrode.
- Powered By Standard 110(120V) Household Current.
- Multi-functions in one machine:Suitable for MMA,Lift Tig,Flux Mig.Can weld stainless steel and carbon steel.
- Big enough to handle 2 pounds rolls of wire.
- Powerful Machine:Up to 135A output current that can weld mild steel up to 1/8 inch (3.0mm) plate.
- 【IGBT Inverter Technology】SILVEL MIG Welder 140 Amp can weld various materials with Stick/TIG function. Unique IGBT power...
- 【Safe and efficient】 Reliable and stable MIG 140A inverter welding machine with electric smothering control for good formation...
- 【Rugged and Durable】Single-phase, adjustable power setting welding machine suitable for flux (no gas) welding. Lightweight at...
- 【Easy to Use】 MIG Welder uses 0.8mm or 1.0mm flux core wire and can weld mild steel plates up to 0.64 cm. Large enough to hold...
- 【Accessories】Set includes a MIG-140 welding machine, welding gun, grounding clip, welding mask, 0.8mm reel, 1kg welding wire,...
- 3000 Watts Heavy Duty Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converter. Step Up Voltage from 110-120 Volts to 220-240 Volts. Step Down...
- Patented Simultaneous 3-Mode Output: 5V USB Port / 120V USA Output Socket / 220V Universal Output Socket. CE Certified. 3-Year...
- RockStone Power proudly supports the United States Military since 2001, and have became a proud supplier for Tesla Inc. since...
- For safety reasons, it's recommended to use a Voltage Converter/Transformer that's max watts is at least 50% higher than your...
- Package Contents: Rockstone Power 3000 Watt Heavy Duty Voltage Transformer Converter, Hardwired Heavy Duty Insulated Power Cord...
Buying Guide to Select the Best Inverter Welders
Before purchasing tools, it is very important to understand what they are, how they work, and what types of variants exist. This will help you identify the product that best suits your needs. For this reason, in our article, we will try to clarify the most frequent doubts and questions regarding this type of tool.
What Are Inverter Welding Machines?
Inverter welders are relatively new and innovative welding tools that have numerous advantages, still unknown to many people, compared to conventional models. Among the main advantages of inverter welding machines, we find their compact dimensions, which make them easily transportable, even inside a light carrying case.
They use much smaller transformers and consequently weigh less. This is one of the main differences with conventional welders, notoriously robust, and not suitable for confined spaces.
What Are the Most Used Welding Processes Nowadays?
Throughout history, various welding processes have been used and refined. As always, some are more popular and appreciated and are therefore more used than others. The four most well-known welding processes are MMA, MIG, TIG, and FCAW welding.
- MMA or Electrode Welding: (also known as SMAW welding for its abbreviation in English) uses a metal electrode coated with a filler metal to be able to weld the original material.
- Mig Welding : (also known as GMAW welding for its abbreviation in English) it uses a wire welding electrode on a coil that automatically feeds at a pre-set constant speed.
- Tig Welding: (also known as GTAW welding for its abbreviation in English) is an arc welding process that uses a non-fusible tungsten electrode.
- Flaw Welding with Cored Wire: Similar to MIG welding in that it uses a wire feeding process. This type of welding, however, unlike the MIG case, does not require an external protection gas.
What Dangers Are Related to Welding?
The welding activity can present various dangers, both for those who are performing the welding and for those who are nearby. Therefore, it is important to know not only the risks and dangers related to this activity but also the safety measures to be adopted (which we talk about in the next paragraph). Let’s see the dangers together:
- Electrical Discharge: This is the most serious danger due to welding, it can cause serious and even fatal injuries, both by direct discharge and in the event of a fall from above after receiving a discharge. Touching part of the welding circuit or electrode while touching the metal being welded, there is also a risk of a secondary electric shock.
- Risks Related to Noise Pollution: When we perform welding, we expose ourselves to loud and prolonged noises. Noises with more than 85 dB (decibel) are considered loud, and welding activities such as flame cutting and arcing can produce noises with more than 100 dB. Exposing yourself regularly to loud noises can cause permanent hearing loss.
- Uv and Ir Exposure: Exposing yourself without personal protective equipment (PPE) or other types of protection to the intense UV light that is produced during welding activities can cause corneal burns. The severity of the injury depends on the distance, the duration of exposure, and the angle of penetration. Long-term exposure to arc flashes can also contribute to cataracts and vision loss.
- Exposure to Fumes and Gases: Welding exposes the welder to invisible gases that can easily penetrate the lungs, including ozone, nitrogen oxides, chromium and nickel oxides, and carbon monoxide. Depending on the gas or smoke, concentration, and duration of exposure, the damage caused can be more or less serious.
- Burns: The combination of high-temperature welding arcs, UV rays, and molten metal can cause severe burns during welding. These burns can affect the skin or eyes and can be very serious.
What Safety Measures Are Needed to Use an Inverter Welder?
We know that when using this type of equipment inadequately or without using the necessary precautions, problems can occur that put our lives at risk.
It will be really important to use personal protective equipment (PPE). If we have a superior who assigns us jobs involving welding, he will be obliged to provide us with:
- Welding helmet or mask with side shields: to protect us from UV radiation, particles, debris, hot slag, and chemical burns.
- Flame retardant hood: to be worn under the helmet to protect the back of the head.
- Respirators: protect us from the fumes and oxides that the welding releases. The respirator must be suitable for the type of work we are carrying out.
- Flame retardant clothing: to protect us from heat, fire, and radiation from the welding process and to prevent burns.
- Fire-resistant ear protection and earmuffs
- Fire-resistant ankle boots and gloves: safety ankle boots with a rubber sole and steel toe protect us from electric shock, heat, fire, burns, and falling objects.
- Remember to forbid children from approaching the welding area.
In addition to these individual measures, it is important to have received adequate training and make sure that there are no flammable materials in our workspace. All operations (device preparation, welding, maintenance, repair) must be carried out by qualified personnel.
What Are the Pros and Cons of An Inverter Welder?
Although some people still have doubts about the veracity of the advantages attributed to inverter welding machines compared to traditional ones, these innovative models have become very popular among users thanks to their characteristics. In this table we see the main ones:
Advantages
- Small, compact and portable
- Sophisticated and lightweight silicon transformer
- It uses an IGBT transistor for insulating gate capable of performing high volume soldering
- They consume less energy
- They use normal household connectors
- They operate with lower voltage
- Electronically adjustable output power
- They allow you to adjust the power in a wide range
Disadvantages
- Maintenance is more expensive
- They have a more complex structure
- They are equipped with multiple electronic components
Type of Process (technology)
The first criterion to consider is the type of welding we want to perform. That is, first of all, we must define what type of process we will use, on what materials we will work, and under what conditions.
These factors will depend on the choice of technology and, consequently, of the welder to buy. Consider the characteristics of each welding process to make your choice. The cheaper inverter welders are generally designed to use MMA or electrode welding technology.
However, depending on the range, the manufacturer, and the quality of the device in question, there are models that can work with more than one technology. Logically, these are more expensive machines.
Adjustable Amperage and Power Levels
The amperage with which the welder works will determine the power with which the machine works. Generally, the higher the power and the better the performance, even if this is not always the case. The inverter welding machines have an amperage of between 100 A and 250 A.
The amperage affects the adjustable power levels. The inverter welding machines are normally equipped with a minimum amperage with which they can work, which can oscillate from 10 A up to the maximum amperage supported by the machine.
If you have to work at different intensities and levels, it is better to look for a machine with a wide range, say from 20 A to 200 A, for example.
Working Cycle
The work cycle is a very important technical feature: it defines the number of minutes, within a period of 10 minutes, during which a welding machine can produce welding current safely. So a 140 A welder with a 60% duty cycle must “rest” for at least 4 minutes after 6 minutes of continuous welding.
Look carefully at the specifications of the welder you are thinking of purchasing. Many manufacturers of welding machines identify the different models based on their maximum ability to generate energy but are careful because often the machine in question can only produce that level of energy for a short period of time. For this, always try to check the work cycle.
Diameter and Type of Electrode
The electrode establishes the arc, protects the molten material, and, by wearing out, joins the molten material of the base metal, making the weld. On the market there are electrodes with standardized diameters, the most common is 1.6 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.25 mm, 4.0 mm, and 5 mm.
A welding machine that allows you to use a wide range of these diameters will guarantee greater versatility. As regards the different types of electrodes, there are for example rutile, basic, cellulose, antioxidant, and bronze electrodes.
Some welders work only with certain types of electrodes, obviously, a machine that supports different types will be more convenient and more versatile. The electrodes can be further classified according to the materials to be welded.