Welding Machines for Every Budget

Jeff Ray is back from Superformance Fab. He's comparing different welding machines that fit every budget and even visiting a local store to see what's available. Enjoy this non-biased review of different machines that are out there. Let us know what you have found to make a great first welder. We get asked quite frequently by students and hobbyists what are the best options out there. So, it will be nice to hear your opinions in the comments!

Join this channel to get access to perks:

You can join our groups and forums, ask technical questions, answer questions in the community, look for jobs and more!

Don't miss new episodes of our podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review!
Now available on these platforms:

Brands that Support the Channel:
Don't forget to use our promo code WELD10 for 10% off

ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN UTILIZING ANY DISPLAYED TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, TECHNIQUES OR PROCESSES. IF EVER IN DOUBT, CONSULT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL. ANY RELIANCE ON THE PRESENTED INFORMATION IS STRICTLY AT THE VIEWERS OWN RISK. EACH VIEWER EXPRESSLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUMES ANY AND ALL RISKS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEATH, DISABILITY, AND/OR SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY RELATED TO THE USAGE OF ANY TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR TECHNIQUES OR PROCESSES IN THE PRESENTED CONTENT. IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY IMMEDIATELY SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

[mytkcatbat]

Learned tig on a Miller 320, back when they were powered by steam. Welded everything that I could stick together, sometimes not so well. With the help of a guy who could weld in his sleep, I got better. Got into welding sandrail frames with old reliable, Lincoln 225. Recently picked up a Primeweld Ac/DC 225. Use it solely for tig, on stainless, aluminum and steel. I am very impressed with this machine. It shipped in a bullet proof box, came with a real manual, and everything I needed with the exception of an argon tank and filler rods. It can run on 110v, but as others have said these inverter type machines prefer 220v. Now I am happily sticking tungsten with my old eyeballs as the cause, not the machine!

[bricebeaulac]

I bought a Vulcan 220 from harbor freight and taught myself to weld with the help of this channel and welding tips and tricks. I’ve built myself a flatbed with it and the machine is great.

[richardfuerst]

I own both Everlast 210 EXT & the Eastwood tig 200. Use them both in my mobile welding business. I have stick welded with both machines. Both run great.

[xoxooxox]

One thing I learned: get 240V line in garage, and look for highest duty cycle. Cheap welders have low duty. A buzzbox for stick, a multi for Mig/TIg.

[BobVan]

I’m a Miller/ Lincoln guy but I also love my primeweld 225 ACDC welder.

[jamesbrandon]

I have the Esab Rebel 205ic ac/dc model, I believe and I love it, as far as the Eastwood tig welder there has to be a way to reverse the leads to make it weld stick, I’ve actually taken a miller syncrowave with foot pedal and 1/8” consumables and instead of putting a tungsten in I put an 1/8” 7018 in it and you can set the machine hotter and use the high frequency from the pedal to get the arc established then use the pedal to back the amps down to your desire

[jvmiller]

I purchased a Everlast 221 STI back in 2017. It will do everything you have described but all in one machine. It is a AC/DC machine with High frequency start tig as well as lift start or scratch start. It has different wave forms and pulse tig features as well as the AC output or aluminum. In fact in its day it was the very first multi process machine to have AC/DC functions. It came with a Nova high quality foot pedal and everything to start tig welding. Mig welding it holds a 10 pound roll and has all advanced options except pulse mig. Then It comes with the stinger and stuff to run on stick as well. Very smooth and advanced stick with hot start a dig mode and set up for 6010 welding rods as well. I paid $2200 but it has been replaced with a lighting MTS 225 now $2000. But it is 100% the same machine as mine but with a nicer interface. But it has all the same options as mine. My first Multi process machine ever too for myself. but I have welded professionally for years and am SO VERY impressed. It comes with a nice $200 Nova pedal but I have replaced the tig torch and mig gun as I wanted nicer ones.

I have never used a yes welder machines but I have used some of their other products and am impressed with the info they give on their machines as well. If someone wants to spend less money... But I would put my Everlast up against any and all welders specked out the same. Lincoln, Miller or what ever. Everlast is a quality made machines.

[toycoma]

If you like Eastwood, Weldpro machines are made by the same Linlong Chinese company. I got the Tig 200GD because of its size, price, digital interface, and came with a CK torch. Amazon was able to ship it to my location (Guam), all the other machines i have to use a freight forwarder to get them. So tig200gd it is.

[thermalnose]

I auctually just bought my first tig/stick, a ahp alpha tig 225xi, cant wait to try it

[jasonvargas]

Just got a 240v outlet installed and am looking at the Primeweld mts 200.

[angrygnome]

I bought 185 amp DC Chinese tig stick machine and couldn’t believe how good it welded. A year later it wouldn’t strike an arc.

[danielsplayhouse]

I was sent the primeweld tig225x it seems to be a damn good TIG welder I've taught myself how to weld stainless steel mild steel and working on titanium right now but overall I do have to say if someone's looking to buy one this would be the welder you get the most bang for your buck AC DC TIG stick pulse welding

[stanleyroberts]

I have 3 titanium's from harbor freight, a 125 flux, a 225 stick, a plasma 45. I have an Eastwood mig with spool gun, and a Lincoln tig welder with stick.

[wolfsblade]

Iv had two lotos tig machines and iv had fantastic experience with them. I had the basic acdc machine and now i have the pulse model. Theyre both around 700$

[atomichydrogenweld]

Thanks for the great information good stuff, Cheers from Largo, Florida, Paulie

[jamespuckett]

Informative video. Thank you.
I currently have 7 machines in .y garage. The two I use the most is a 30 year old MillerMatic 200 mig machine (wouldn't trade it for a new equivalent mig either) and I have a Miller XMT 350 I picked up worth the money. I have a Hobart Handler 135, 110 volt mig machine I bought 20 years ago and I still use it. Those cheaper machines do work and work well. Keep up the great videos.

[stevenhawkes]

One thign I would have liked you to touch on is duty cycle. I'm almost certain the harbor fraight models didn't have the same capability.

[charleshein]

I really really want an ESAB rebel 250. I used one as a rental from a local shop and now I can't stop thinking about it.

[martyedson]

I have a steel company we are mostly structural but I do need to weld thin metals. My welders are from the Army and Navy. Many from aircraft carriers. They are obviously not good for thin steel. What’s the best mig welder? Thx!

[rodanone]

love my everlast machines!! Powertig 210EXT... just upgraded to 325EXT over the holiday... <2K!!! 325 amp tig.... less than 2K... what?? it's awesome. just received it the other day. but... unless you need to do thick aluminum. 210EXT is probably all you would ever need.