How to Choose the Right Welding Machine for You

Whether you’re a professional welder with industry experience or a weekend warrior with a welding hobby, the first thing you need is a welder.

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There are several factors to consider before purchasing a welding machine. These factors include the material, material thickness, weld type (MIG, TIG, or stick), power, and, most importantly, your budget.

The material you want to weld and its thickness will determine the welding process that works best for you, as not every welder can handle every material.

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What material are you going to be welding?

• MIG: Mild steel, Stainless steel, Aluminium, Copper, Bronze
• TIG: Mild steel, Stainless steel, Aluminium, Copper, Bronze, Zinc alloys
• STICK: Mild steel, Stainless steel, Cast iron

How thick is the material you plan to weld?

The output of your welder will determine the material thickness you can weld.

These sizes depend on the power your welder can output, so always check the product specifications.

What’s the difference between MIG, TIG & Stick?

If you want a more in-depth look at the differences between these welding types, you can check out our MIG vs TIG vs STICK blog.

Now that you should have a better idea of which welding type will suit your needs, let’s narrow down the options further.

What power points are available to you?

The power source available to you will dictate the range of machines you can choose from. Every machine needs to connect to a power source; otherwise, there’s no electrical circuit.

If you're planning on welding at home on the weekends, you likely have only standard 10A domestic outlets available. If that is the case, you’ll only be able to purchase a machine with a 10A plug.

Keep in mind that a 10A plug typically supports up to 180 amps, while a 15A plug supports up to 200 amps. Anything over that (250+ amp machines) will require an authorized electrician to install a plug (20A or 32A) as per Australian law.

How long do you want to weld for?

A key factor in how long you can use a welder without stopping is its duty cycle. A welder’s duty cycle should always be included in the product specifications, as this is a crucial feature of every machine.

For example, if you look at the Viper 185 MIG/TIG/STICK welder’s duty cycle, it may read: 10% @ 180A. This means you can use the welder on its maximum amperage (180A) for a full minute before it overheats.

The duty cycle is measured in 10-minute increments. Therefore, with a 10% duty cycle at max amps, you’ll achieve 1 minute of continuous welding followed by 9 minutes of cooldown time.

You may think that one minute isn’t much, but there are several reasons why this can be sufficient. Each UNIMIG machine is tested at an outside temperature of 40°C.

This means the welder can run for a full minute at maximum amps in 40°C before overheating, hence performing even longer in a cooler room environment. Not every manufacturer discloses the testing temperature, which could lead to slightly exaggerated duty cycles.

Additionally, one minute of welding can yield a long weld joint, and it's likely that you will have finished the weld or needed to reposition before that minute is over.

Most welders do not require being set to their max amperage, especially when welding thinner materials. Thus, when set at a mid-range amperage, the welder will operate for a longer time on lower settings.

VIPER vs RAZOR

VIPER machines are designed for DIY projects and hobbyists, but they are also suitable for offsite work. They are lightweight, portable, and equipped with a 10A plug that allows them to be used almost anywhere.

Built for user-friendliness, the VIPER machines include setup guides on their inside panel, making it easy for welders at any skill level to get started without issues.

In contrast, RAZOR machines cater to a range of professional and industrial needs. Typically equipped with a 15A plug, some high-amperage machines will need specialized plug sockets. The bigger plugs mean that most of the RAZOR range can achieve higher max amp output compared to VIPERs.

RAZOR machines also come with a full 3-year or 5-year warranty, unlike the 1-3 year warranties available on VIPERs.

If you purchase either a VIPER or a RAZOR, you can receive an additional six-month warranty by registering your machine online.

What kind of budget do you have?

Your budget is a critical factor when selecting a welding machine. You know how much you can spend, but keep in mind that it’s not just the machine you’ll need.

Regardless of whether you choose to MIG, TIG, or stick weld, additional costs include:

• Filler metals
• Consumables (that match your wire sizes, which must also match your material size)
• Gas tanks (if needed)

Purchasing a low-cost welder might seem tempting, but reducing expenses can lead to sacrificing quality. Performance may suffer, parts can wear out faster, and servicing or troubleshooting could become an issue.

UNIMIG machines are backed by decades of professional technology. You’ll be buying from a top-tier, Aussie-owned family business with support centers across the country. This is worth considering before opting for cheaper imported brands.

Synergic Control

In general terms, “synergic” means combining various systems to create one. When applied to welding, it indicates that the machine is pre-programmed with parameters that automatically select the best settings for you.

The programs for UNIMIG's synergic controlled machines were developed in collaboration with expert welders to ensure that the parameters produce quality results. There’s no guesswork required as usually you only need to adjust one knob.

Depending on the machine, you must input the material type, filler type, filler size, gas type, and parent metal thickness. Once entered, the machine will automatically determine your welding parameters, allowing you to start welding right away.

Synergic welders are perfect for both beginners and professionals, as you won’t waste time tweaking settings to achieve accurate welds. Some models offer the option to switch to manual mode to input your preferred settings instead.

Even when using a synergic machine, these typically allow you to make slight adjustments to the chosen settings based on your specific job requirements.

MIG Welders

• 3-in-1 multi-process machine
• One knob synergic MIG control
• Gas & gasless options
• 10A plug

This machine is ideal for first-time welders, as the single-knob synergic MIG control simplifies setup. Just select your wire size and material thickness, and the machine handles the rest.

It’s a 3-in-1 machine, perfect for trying out MIG, TIG, and stick welding. Its lightweight design makes it highly portable, allowing you to work anywhere, while its 100mm wire spool holder ensures ease in transport.

While it includes a MIG direct connect torch, it only performs Lift Arc DC TIG welding, so it’s not suitable for aluminium.

View more info: VIPER MULTI 135

For more dc welding machine information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.