Other: Inverter welder review

[ChampCouple]

I bought just about the cheapest, 4 star reviewed inverter stick welder off Amazon. I am so far, very happy with it.

I bought it, only to use for quick little projects, instead of dragging out my mig welder, and getting it all set up. Plus, I have lots of stick rods my dad gave me. So, for $80, I have quick, and portable, little welder. Its about the size of lunch box, and maybe 5 pounds. Very convenient to use.

It works on 110, or 220. I have not actually used it on 220 yet. On 110, it welds 1/16" rod very well. 1/8" rod, I struggled with starting an arc, and maintaining one. I'm not a good stick welder, so that maybe my fault, or 1/8" may work better on 220. With 1/16" rod, starting and maintaining an arc was easy.



I welded this broken bed bracket for my Champ pickup. I started by making several tack welds, before I realized the bracket material was thick enough for me to run a bead. I did unfortunately kinda over grind the welds down, thus the ripple look to the repair.

This is not an industrial welder. I have no doubt, it won't last with much usage. But for $80, I think it will work for the quick projects I have, specially those that really won't be seen.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Inverter welders are great....
Like any light duty welder..... Respect the duty cycle.
If it says 20%... Keep it at 20%.
(copy)
Duty cycle is a welding equipment specification which defines the number of minutes, within a 10 minute period, during which a given welder can safely produce a particular welding current. For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes of continuous welding.

For more info, visit:

https://www.esabna.com/us/en/education/blog/a-duty-cycle-reality-check.cfm

[gordr]

The problem, of course, with respecting the duty cycle, is that one tends not to watch the clock, while watching the arc through the #11 glass. One would think that a smart welder maker could come up with a "duty cycle integrator" that would basically track "amp-minutes", increasing the tally as the arc burned, and reducing it, at a lower rate, as the machine idled. Maybe equip it with a voice prompt: "you have reached 80% of safe duty cycle time", and "safe duty cycle time exceeded, machine going into 20-minute cooling cycle RIGHT NOW (arc ceases)".

[Rafe Hollister]

Last year our beloved father Donald Trump sent me money to buy a TIG welder. Its a PrimeWeld 225x, and also does stick. By the time I bought a bottle and filled it with gas and a few other supplies, all my stimulus money was gone. I had no idea how to use a TIG and have not welded since I was in 9th grade 50 years ago. All my welder friends said to get a MIG, one said 'buy what you want and you will figure it out'. I must say, all the real welders and youtube videos may be helpful, but one thing they don't tell you, super ugly welds that waste a lot of filler wire, gas, and electricity are just as strong as pretty welds (as long as you have enough penetration) and are a whole lot cheaper than taking it to a welding shop. I should have bought a welder years ago... and so should all of you! A nice machine like mine, a name brand for 4 times the price, MIG, or an 80.00 buzz box... get one, you will not regret it. You know I tell the truth.
Rafe Hollister

[DEEPNHOCK]

The problem, of course, with respecting the duty cycle, is that one tends not to watch the clock, while watching the arc through the #11 glass. One would think that a smart welder maker could come up with a "duty cycle integrator" that would basically track "amp-minutes", increasing the tally as the arc burned, and reducing it, at a lower rate, as the machine idled. Maybe equip it with a voice prompt: "you have reached 80% of safe duty cycle time", and "safe duty cycle time exceeded, machine going into 20-minute cooling cycle RIGHT NOW (arc ceases)".

Or....
Buy a 100% duty cycle welder and never worry...

[Rafe Hollister]

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly". If you can't afford a fully restored Avanti, buy a crapped out Lark. If you can't afford a nice bike to get in shape, buy a crappy one. You will get the same exercise. If you can't afford a great welder, buy an 80.00 one. Its still worth it. And regarding duty cycle, it only matters if you are good enough to weld long enough to go over it. This won't happen much when you are learning.
Rafe

[Jeffry Cassel]

I totally wore out a MIG welder rebuilding Valerie's Mustang: it was a cheap one but the car is still holding together nicely. I replaced it with one from Northern Tools. It has been quite a good welder. I'm not a good welder, so it seems foolish to buy an $800 or $1,000 welder that far exceeds my ability. Buy good wire!! Avoid Harbor Freight welding wire! Weld clean metal. Select correct feed and voltage--usually guess and trial and error. Don't run continuous welds; you will warp the heck out of the metal and that is something that is very hard to fix. (I like plug welds) Buy a good light activated helmet -I have a Lincoln.