How to Choose a Welding Machine

There are hundreds of options available when it comes to welding machines, each with different advantages and disadvantages. Because it's impossible to review all of them, I decided to break down the key factors and specs that I look at in a machine, which are:

0:00 Introduction
0:24 Welding Process
4:10 Electrical Supply
5:12 Portability
5:44 Material Thickness
7:30 Duty Cycle
8:17 Special Features
10:03 Cost

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This video covers machines for Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) aka MIG welding, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) aka Stick Welding, Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) aka Gasless MIG Welding, and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) aka TIG Welding. ****Affiliate Notice****
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[robertward]

I'm a Professional Welder by trade an I'm 66 years old...been doing it all my life and I just love watching all your videos Tim, I watch you when taking breaks at work, you are a very good teacher, and people need you out there, thanks for your good work

[juhoukkola]

One thing worth mentioning about benefits of stick welding and flux core is that those are better suited for welding outdoors. With normal MIG or TIG wind will easily blow your shielding gas away and result terrible welds. While flux core and stick have shielding gas releasing from the weld material and is less likely to be blown away.

[jpv]

Great video as always. It would have been cool if you had given a starting price for each category of machine from where it seems to be really usable for each category. Like x $ for a stick weld; y $ for a tig DC; z $ for a tig AC and so on.

Thanks for presenting these comprehensive videos.

[ralphr]

Tim, excellent video. Something I ran across while selecting a multiprocess machine was the ability to run 6010 & 6011 electrodes. If that is a requirement, make sure you read the fine print while making your selection. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

[jsans]

I have to say this video is the most informative one i have found to make a choice for my new welder!! Really helped out in making a better choice instead of just go out there and wasting my money

[colemine]

I picked up the yeswelder 205ds multi process over xmas.. I wanted a good starter machine and I think it really hit the nail on the head. I do want to do aluminum tig eventually but I plan to graduate to that later. This was a good review.

[davidfreed]

You put out great, informative videos. I'm going to start attending welding classes in two weeks, your videos have really been a great help. Thank you.

[rogeronslow]

That was a pretty comprehensive overview of the different welding processes and machine requirements.

[RBFR]

If you're brand new to welding and have never welded before i'd recommend you buy a stick welder because other welders require other things to be able to weld such as gas and or tool attachments. Mig welding is the neatest/ cleanest weld and tig welding is just beautiful but stick is the most simple and easy to use and do. If you're a mobile welder i'd recommend starting with stick and eventually switching over to Mig as it does a cleaner job.

[brianhartley]

Really well laid out I enjoyed watching it

[DaCake]

This is the greatest welding channel on YouTube.

[vada]

Tim: I have found that economy multi process welders in stick mode only run about 25 volts instead of 75-80 volts open circuit, that means they only work well with a tight arc and rod selection is therefore limited.

[LukeA_]

I'm buying a Lincoln 225/125 AC/DC welder on Wednesday. I'll mostly be using it for repairing our farm equipment, but I'm thinking might start a side business repairing machines and other random repairs in my area

[sarcasmo]

Imperial is wild. 3/16ths, 3/8ths of an inch. Are all Americans that good at fractions? Thanks for all the info though, good video.

[Squirrel]

Q: Auto frame weld for upper control arm mount to the frame. How will stick weld hold up? Thanks Carl

[darzo]

OMG 😲 that Primeweld looks like a Monster compared to the rest of the explanation AC/DC machine is the way to go in case you decide to weld AC only metals

[luciusirving]

Living in another country, I choose my welder made from MOTs and high temperature wires. Best AC MMA experience ever.

More voltage=awesome welds

[jesusloaiza]

Thanks for sharing, very illustrative and answered the question I had as a hobby welder.

[kennethwhite]

Hi, Tim love your videos. I have been struggling with stick welding, not able to hold an arc, and sticking the D#mn rod all the time (very frustrating). I have watched many of your videos and I am convinced that MIG is the way to go for me. I live in Thailand and the local building supply stores, Home Pro, and Global House usually carry a good selection but none of the brands like Miller that you mentioned you like, so I will look into a purchase here soon. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[mytube]

Nice video, I wish this video was before I bought my machine😔. I think is useful video.