The choice of domestic welding apparatus

Electric arc welding is widely used to create strong and tight one-piece joints. With its help, you can lay a pipeline, make a metal door or fix it on the pillars of the fence section. Even the simplest welding machine for home and garden can be an indispensable tool in the implementation of construction, repair or other household work. Any novice master who has a basic knowledge of electrical engineering and minimal experience in metalworking can master it.

Types of welding machines

For individual use, a mini welding machine that operates on a 220-volt household AC mains supply is best suited. Deciding which welder is better to buy for a garage or home workshop, you need to know what kinds of such equipment are.

Welding transformer

Professional welding machines of this type appeared more than a century ago. They incorporate step-down transformers with a minimum control range. Their bulky size and large mass cannot be considered satisfactory for home use. At the output, they give only alternating current, which adversely affects the stability of the arc and leads to the formation of a large number of splashes.

Welding Transformer Telwin Quality 280 AC / DC

Even a low-power home welding machine of a similar design at the starting moment leads to sharp voltage drop in the networkthat for suburban settlements can have adverse consequences. The acquisition of obsolete equipment can hardly be considered the right choice, so you should take an interest in more modern models.

Welding rectifier

Manual welding machine in this category differs from previous samples by the presence of additional rectifier unit. Due to this, he is able to cook with direct current, which gives a stable arc and a higher quality of the seam. But here the main problems of transformers remain:

• big weight;
• uncomfortable dimensions;
• sudden surges, discontent of neighbors.

Welding rectifier VD-401 Kavik

In addition, another flaw was added - decrease in efficiency due to power losses for rectifier operation.

Welding inverter

Modern welding machines of this type have a fundamentally different electrical circuit. The use of transistors made it possible to transform the current in the mode of high-frequency oscillations, which led to a sharp reduction in size and total weight unit. In this case, the process of setting the current-voltage characteristics changed qualitatively and the stability of work improved.

Inverters can be used in DC and AC mode. Automatic control of output parameters allowed to implement a number useful optionsto facilitate the work of the welder.In this case, the same portable apparatus can be used when welding various materials with a wide range of thickness of the parts being joined.

Welding inverter FUBAG IR 200

The compact inverter can weigh from 3 kg, which makes it possible to keep it on weight, easily moving from one area of ​​work to another. A modern portable home welding machine costs only a few thousand rubles. It does not lead to power surges and differs little in power from other power tools or household appliances. But he himself does not have problems with serious buildup of the parameters of the power supply network.

The only significant factor that can limit the use of the inverter is the requirement to store and use it outside the zone of high humidity and low temperatures. But in the garage or home workshop these conditions are almost always met.

Automatic welding machine

An automatic apparatus of this type differs from an inverter by the presence of welding wire feeders, special burner and more complex control system. It is convenient to use it for welding non-ferrous metals or thin steel sheets.Universal semi-automatic can work in different modes:

• MIG - inert gas;
• MAG - in the current of active gases that protect the hot seam from contact with oxygen;
• MMA - conventional manual arc welding with consumable electrodes with a protective coating.

With the help of a multifunctional machine, a professional welder achieves perfect weld quality. Such units are quite expensive and are rarely used in the household.

Automatic welding machine Leister COMET

Features of the choice of welding equipment for individual use

The choice of welding machine is always based on the conditions of use and the nature of the work to be done. This is reflected in the technical characteristics of the unit. There are few such parameters, but each of them should be given due attention.

Supply voltage

To make the right decision, you need to check if there is a 380 volt network connection point in your building. If it is absent, choose models with a supply voltage of 220 V. They are in high demand among summer residents and amateur craftsmen. A good inverter is usually not very demanding of input characteristics and stableworks even in rural areas with frequent fluctuations in the power grid. Three Phase Apparatus more powerful and reliable, but more expensive, so they are often purchased for professional needs.

Output current

The welding current is directly related to the type of metal being welded, its thickness and the diameter of the electrodes used. In most cases, steel rods for 3-4 mm are used as a consumable material; 160-180 amps will be enough for them to work. Only if it is necessary to cook massive workpieces choose more powerful models of welding machines and thicker electrodes. With a large variety of modes, a small range of regulation of the current-voltage characteristics may be insufficient.

No-load voltage

This indicator affects arc ignition ease. Usually it is in the range from 45 to 95 volts. The higher it is, the easier it is to start welding, and the more stable the process of metal fusion will proceed. Electrodes of different types behave differently during operation. Rutile ignite at low voltage, the main - at elevated.

Useful tips before you buy

Having decided on the performancesimply select the right welding machine. Only for simple and rough work the transformer will fit, but it should not be specially purchased. If necessary, compounds of non-ferrous metals or thin sheets of steel will have to buy a semi-automatic. But in most cases, household chooses mobile inverter.

For novice welders in inverter-type devices, the following options will be useful:

• mode hot start creates an increased impulse at the beginning of work, which simplifies the ignition of the electrode;
• anti-sticking function automatically reduces the current in case of an accidental approach of the electrode to the part, reducing the probability of their welding to each other;
• power boost briefly increases the current in the formation of a large drop of metal.