Buy a good one welding inverter, so that at the same time it can be used at work, at home and in the country, where 220V is not always available - a difficult task. We will try to help with this.
Thanks to the development of inverter technology, welding machines have become compact, economical and easy to use even for beginners. Thanks to this, you can find a machine for manual arc welding or semi-automatic in many garages and private workshops. Stable and high demand for welding inverters forces competing manufacturers to constantly improve their the lineup, reduce prices and develop branded service.
Selection criteria
Choosing the best welding inverter is quite difficult - there is such a variety on the market that it will take your breath away. But experienced welders do not try to experiment, turning to products from already familiar manufacturers. Choose only time-tested and own work brands. After all, if a manufacturer is serious, then he always maintains quality high level- both in semi-professional and professional devices.
Therefore, before purchasing a new inverter, they look at the products of those manufacturers that have already been in use. Even if you haven’t worked yourself, your colleagues will advise you. Based on many years of experience, a list of leading manufacturers of welding inverters has been formed, which we bring to your attention, taking for comparison devices “for work and at home.” That is, with which you can both earn money and cope with household chores.
Depending on the operating mode, inverters are divided into three categories:
- machines for manual arc welding (MMA);
- semi-automatic (MIG/MAG);
- machines for argon welding (TIG).
Transformer era welding machines passed and today modern manufacturers offer consumers multi-purpose devices. They combine several functions at once, which was not available before.
In our article you can find out what a 4-in-1 universal welding machine is and what functions it includes. And also what you should pay attention to when choosing such a device in home use.
The inverter is the most modern, which has compact dimensions and weight. Unlike old transformers, its weight is from 2 to 4 kg, and this is with greater functionality. How are such indicators achieved?
It's all about transformation. A variable enters the network electricity with a frequency of 50 Hz. The inverter rectifies it into a constant one and, by passing the flow through transistors, raises the frequency and again converts it into an alternating one with an indicator from 20 to 50 Kilohertz. But that’s not all, the inverter reduces the resulting current to 70-90 Volts, and the power increases to the required 100-200 Amperes.
It was the high-frequency electric current that became ingenious technical solution in a welding inverter. Also, this conversion scheme made it possible to significantly reduce the dimensions of the transformers and the entire apparatus as a whole.
As an example, it’s worth pointing out: to get a current of 160 Amps in an inverter, you need a transformer weighing 250 grams versus 18 kg in the form of an old device.
And the main thing is that such a circuit allows the use of both AC and AC electrodes in the inverter. direct current. This is what is hidden main secret multifunctionality. Due to this, you can cook ferrous and non-ferrous metals simply by changing the electrodes.
What welding modes are there?
When choosing a universal welding machine, you may find in the characteristics such designations as TIG, MMA or MIG-MAG welding. What it is?
- MMA welding is a conventional arc welding using electrodes. This mode is used for welding carbon and stainless steels. The first types of steel are welded using both alternating and direct currents, and the second - only constant.
- TIG mode is suitable for welding aluminum parts and alloys. This process occurs by using tungsten electrodes in an argon environment using alternating current, or for permanent welding of steel.
- MIG-MAG cooking is the use of a semi-automatic mode using an electrode wire in argon. This mode is great for overcooking cars or thin-walled parts.
In fact, such a device welds: structural and stainless steel grades, aluminum, copper and other non-ferrous metals and their alloys. This is where all universalism lies.
Additional functions
Previously, when using old transformer machines, the welder had to have enormous experience to control the welding process. Today, automation and additional functions have simplified everything.
If you are new to welding work ah, some of these additions will make learning and life much easier.
- Hot Start- this is a short-term increase in current strength at the moment of arc ignition. This results in quick ignition and a trouble-free start to the welding process.
- Anti-Stiging. The device installed on the device reduces the current at the moment of short circuit, as a result of which the electrode will not stick to the parts being welded, and the cables will not be damaged when a voltage surge occurs.
- Stabilization of the welding process (Arc Force). Training in the welding process included holding the arc correctly (that is, it should not be long or too short). If you hold the electrode close, it will weld to the parts. This function eliminates this randomness and reduces the current strength, which does not create problems in the process.
If you are looking universal system, then, depending on the price, the device will have these additional functions.
But the great advantage of such devices is the presence of a semi-automatic welding mode. What it is?
Semi-automatic welding
Technically, the process of semi-automatic welding occurs due to the melting of the wire in a gas environment (for example, argon). The main thing is its constant supply.
Carbon dioxide or inert gases are supplied uninterruptedly using a reducer, and the required amount can be dosed manually or automatically.
In the process, liquid molten metal from the wire seems to bond two parts without burning their surface. That is why all thin-walled structures are welded in this way. A universal semi-automatic welding machine is indispensable in car repairs.
Semi-automatic welding requires the use of the following types of wire:
- Aluminum. Must be solid, suitable for welding non-ferrous metals.
- Steel. Also solid, used for welding structural and stainless steel.
- Universal. Perfectly suitable for all types of work.
The weld, in turn, is produced in two types of protective environment: shielding gases or self-protection in the case of flux-cored wire.
Modern universal welding machines must necessarily include all of the above functions. This includes welding of structural and stainless steel grades, as well as welding different types non-ferrous metals and their alloys.
When choosing a universal welding machine for yourself, you should initially consider which functions will be required and which will be unnecessary. If you have experience in welding, then you may not need functions such as hot start or anti-stick. Although they can greatly simplify the entire work process even for an experienced welder.
Also, buying universal welding with semi-automatic mode, it is worth remembering that consumables cost money and they must be of high quality.
Overheating protection will also be a good feature, when the device turns off when it gets too hot during the process. long work, which will preserve the device and prevent it from burning out.
Synergistic control will also simplify the welding process, when you do not need to constantly be distracted by changing positions or overhangs of the electrode. This feature will allow you to fully concentrate on stitching.
You should be especially careful when purchasing devices at a low cost with many functions. Cheap components from which they are assembled will either quickly fail or will not work at all. And, of course, the presence of all these functions in general is called into question.
For welding work, you will also need to purchase a good protective mask. The best option will become a “chameleon” type. Its glass allows you to see parts in normal light and darkens when the welding process begins.
Be sure to pay attention to the maximum current ratings. They must be at least 200 Amps. Many possibilities for future use will depend on this.
If you have experience in using universal welding machines with various functions, and practical advice on choosing and purchasing, be sure to share your tips in the comments.
Inverters are widely used by home and garage craftsmen. However, welding with such a machine requires certain skills from the operator. The ability to “hold the arc” is required.
In addition, arc resistance is not a constant value, so the quality of the weld directly depends on the qualifications of the welder.
All these problems fade into the background if you work with a semi-automatic welding machine.
Design features and operating principle of the semi-automatic machine
A distinctive feature of this welder is that instead of replaceable electrodes, wire is continuously fed into the welding zone.
It provides constant contact and has less resistance compared to arc welding.
Due to this, a zone of molten metal is instantly formed at the point of contact with the workpiece. The liquid mass glues the surfaces together, forming a high-quality and durable seam.
Using a semi-automatic machine, any metals can be easily welded, including non-ferrous and stainless steel. You can master welding techniques on your own; there is no need to enroll in courses. The device is very easy to operate, even for a novice welder.
In addition to the electrical part - a high-power current source, the semi-automatic device has a mechanism for continuous supply of welding wire and a torch equipped with a nozzle for creating a gaseous environment.
They work with ordinary copper-plated wire in a protective inert gas environment (usually carbon dioxide). To do this, the cylinder with a reducer is connected to a special inlet fitting on the body of the semiautomatic device.
In addition, semi-automatic welding can be done in a self-protective environment, which is created using a special coating on the welding wire. In this case inert gas not used.
It is the ease of operation and versatility of the semi-automatic machine that makes the unit so popular among amateur welders.
Many kits feature a two-in-one function - and a semi-automatic device in a common body. An additional outlet is made from the inverter - a terminal for connecting the holder of replaceable electrodes. 
The only serious drawback is that a high-quality semi-automatic machine costs significantly more. simple inverter. With similar characteristics, the cost differs by 3-4 times.