Specialty Welding boots may sound like something that is easy to overlook when it comes to establishing your welding accessory list, am I right?
The truth is, just about every professional welder knows how important a solid pair of welding boots truly is. Just ask any welder who has had to weld overhead, I can almost guarantee you when they speak in saying that they were or were almost burned, it’s from experience, not hearsay. This is where having one of the best welding boots comes into play. You need to have something that can withstand the heat, stay durable, and not reduce your efficiency on the job.
A couple of key things you need to make sure your choice boot has:
Extremely tough and rugged, these are sure to last. They have specifically been built with a tough sole to prevent slippage in damp working conditions. The Dr. Martens MG ST is built with double stitching and heavy duty laces and lace eyelets. Shall we go on?
The uppers on these boots are water resistant and built of full grain leather designed to withstand the elements that mother earth gives us. Expect a nice bit of ankle padding and a removable insole designed to provide that extra comfort that you wouldn’t expect. A steel toe guard rounds out the list of awesomeness about this particular welding boot.
Pros
Excellent non-skid tread
Lightweight vs other steel-toe boots
Cons
The sole can be soft
Consider adding to gain arch support
Timberland PRO Men’s 53530 Metguard Steel Toe Boot
Developed specifically for welders, this Timberland 53530 as a fantastic metatarsal guard that provides exceptional protection. Designed to conform to the wearer’s natural foot shape, they’re much more comfortable than what you’d expect from a welding boot. Waterproof and high-quality kevlar stitching help to round out the fantastic characteristics of this boot. Roomy steel toe caps help keep your toes safe in a violent and dangerous work environment, and rubber sole makes this great for working in wet and oily workspaces.
These boots are a bit heavier than others on the market, but it’s because they’re designed to be so durable. A downside to these boots is that users have reported of the backstitching slowly coming apart, causing them to have a shorter lifespan than some are hoping to achieve for the price.
Pros
Immediately comfortable
Full-coverage protection
Cons
A little heavy
Can be sized slightly narrow
Rocky Duty Men’s Modern Paraboot
This surprisingly fashionable pair of hardened leather boots is made to protect. They have a patent leather cap toe that will prevent splatters from harming your foot as well as an all leather design. Their long 10” design is meant to fully cover the leg and provide a level of full-coverage of sorts. The EVA footbed will also ensure that the foot is incredibly comfortable during any o your welding activities. Considering the fact that you will likely spend a great deal of your time welding on your feet, this can be a great help. The rubber lugged outsole is also helpful for allowing you to maintain your grip during work.
Pros
Padded footbed
Knee-high coverage
Cons
Not very supportive
Order half a size down
Caterpillar Men’s Assault Work Boot
The assault 6 in steel toe is designed to provide full coverage for your forefoot during work; these boots are meant to provide excess security for those who work the more hazardous jobs. They feature CAT’s climasphere inner lining and insole, making them another incredibly comfortable option for those who use them. Also, the slip-resistant outsole of these boots gives adequate grip – a feature that will definitely come in handy during work. These are a great option for those individuals who require a bit more durability from their boots.
Built as a compact wire-feed MIG welder, it was built to run off of the common household power of just 115 volts. It can weld thing gauge steel all the way from 24 gauge up to quarter-inch steel plate!
Something many MIG welders will appreciate about the Hobart Handler 140 is that it is a flux core setup capable of running either steel, solid, or aluminum wiring making it very versatile for welders in a variety of jobs. Automotive, household work, heavy duty projects, you name it and this welder can handle it!
The Hobart 500559 Handler comes ready to weld right out of the box and is jam-packed with the Hobart 5/3/1 (5 years) limited warranty.
Video credits to Northern Tool. It discusses the Hobart Handler 140.
In an industry that exposes the body to high levels of heat and danger – such as welding- it is of the utmost importance that one places a high degree of importance on finding adequate protection for their body. Not only does welding put one’s lungs and facial features in danger of but it also places the hands at the mercy of the heat. With that being said, welding can be dangerous, if the body doesn’t have sufficient gear protecting it.
Thus, it is very important to usesafety tools while welding so that one can take out the best from the process without causing diseases. It is very important to protect one’s hands while welding, as the sparks, can cause critical burns and even make the person disabled and losing function of his hands. The list of the best welding gloves of 2018 has been compiled to make sure that our readers have access to the highest quality material there is on the market. Not only do we want to make sure that you have access to the best welding gloves but, we also want to make sure that you stay away from those gloves that protect nothing – not even themselves – from the hazards of welding.
One of the major issues that many gloves were experiencing decades ago is that they lacked any level of comfort. For example, unlike gloves that were made before the start of the 21st century, the gloves that welders wear nowadays feature things such as custom linings (cotton, fur etc.) that greatly enhance their comfort levels. One of the major reasons why gloves weren’t worn (and welders were getting damaged so often) was that the gloves fit horribly. Fit is another criteria that we have to put a lot of emphasis on during our reviews – because of the important part that it plays in providing wearers with a comfortable experience.
Video credits to Kevin Caron, Artist. It goes over how to pick the safest welding gloves.
Flame Resistance
While the entire purpose of having welding gloves on during a weld is to make sure that your hands are protected from flames, not all gloves are created equally in this respect. The majority of welding gloves are created from a leather material with the most prominent materials being: Elkskin, Cowhide, Deerskin, Pigskin, and Goatskin leathers. Of course, throughout the review we will make sure to inform you of the type of leather that each glove is made of (because of the importance that it plays in making sure that you are safe.
Density
The denseness of the welding glove plays a much bigger part in your safety than making sure that your hands are protected from the flames. The denseness of the glove’s materials lets you know what they are meant to be used for. Look below to see the denseness of each glove material particular denseness and what they are meant to be used for.
Elkskin: Relatively soft compared to the other leathers that welding gloves are made of and is best used for stick welding
Cowhide: When you think of cow skin leather think of the leather that footballs are made of. It’s one of the thickest leather materials for welding gloves featured on this guide and is best for MIG welding.
Deerskin: Fine grain deerskin leather typically comes in at 1.25mm to 2mm thick and is best for MIG welding.
Pigskin: Grain lining pig skin leather is typically .5-.7mm thick and gloves made of this material is best for stick welding.
Goatskin: Goatskin leather is traditionally 1 mm thick and is suitable for TIG, MIG, and Stick welding
What do you check when you purchase welding gloves?
We can keep our hands safe while welding by using heavy-duty gloves which are fire and heat resistantto allow for continuous welding even when there are lots of sparks.
The gloves should be made out of lightweight material in order to allow for continuous use without tiring the hands.
We also need to check theventilation of these gloves so that our hands do not reach uncomfortable temperatures due to the heat generated during the welding process.
Welding Glove Reviews
US Forge 400 Lined Leather Welding Gloves
The US Forge 400 aims to provide complete comfort as well as protect the hands from the dangerous sparks and molten metal coming fromwelding processes. The gloves are made using soft and supple leather to provide for ease of use while welding for longer periods. US Forge has used its years of experience to further make the Forge 400 an excellent welding glove by adding an internal cotton liner for increased comfort and protection. The multi layering effect that the US Forge gloves have ensures that they are able to provide ample protection to your hand, which makes them great for MIG welding.
The gloves feature a unique lock stitching process, which ensures a tighter grip and allows the gloves to be used roughly. The gloves also have reinforced frictional areas which make the glove durable and wear and tear resistant. The gloves are flame-resistant and the leather is thicker to protect the hands from heat and burns. The US Forge 400 gloves also protects the hands from the dangerous ultraviolet rays which can be fatal for the skin and is found to cause cancers.
Advantage:
Lightweight (weighs only 11.2 oz)
Has a thickness of 0.5 in
Lincoln Electric KH641 Leather Welding Gloves
The Lincoln Electric KH641 gloves have a long-style design to give the wrists as well as the upper arms protection from welding sparks and flames. They are made of soft leather with lining in the inner parts of the gloves to allow for more grip and comfort while working those long hours. The fully welted seams featured on these gloves keep the KH641 from tearing apart prematurely-a feature that’s especially important for a heavy-duty activity such as this. Another plus for these gloves is that they have a frame that measures in at 13-1/2 in long, which gives added protection to the wrists from spattering.
The gloves feature lock-stitch construction and are very durable forheavy-duty usage. The seams are welted to make sure that the gloves do not tear off even in the application of a large amount of force. The gloves are flame and heat resistant while also lightweight for an easy usage process.
Advantage:
Ample coverage for the wrists from splattering and heat.
Lincoln Electric Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Glove
The Lincoln Electric Traditional Welding Gloves feature a dual-tone black and red color scheme with flame decals for those welders who like to be stylish everywhere every time. The gloves are made up of high-quality cowhide for easy use as well as for fire and heat and heat resistance. The inner part of the gloves has a sock lining for more comfort as well as for proper ventilation.
The gloves have a special Kevlar stitching with welted seams to ensure durability even after years of usage. They also feature protection againstultraviolet rays and also feature OSFM technology. They are suitable for welders withMIG setups too.
Advantage:
They have a cool design
Spacious features
US Safe Sparks Welding Gloves
The US Safe Sparks gloves have a dual-toned color scheme and is made up of superior quality cowhide. The gloves feature extra padding for support to the hands while working and the interiors are also lined with cotton for extra comfort. The lining also provides ventilation to keep the hands at a normal temperature while working on hot welds.
The gloves feature Kevlar stitching which is also double-stitched to ensure that the gloves can take a rough beating without any wear or tear. The gloves are also fire and heat resistant for protection against welding hazards. They also feature ultraviolet protection which protects the skin from various types of dermatological diseases. The Kevlar stitching also allows these glove to provide ample functionality in a multitude of other areas. For example, how often do you find welding gloves that can perform their primary function as well as work for gardening, wood cutting etc. The longer than normal design of the Sparks welding gloves also keeps the wrists safe during a weld – splattering isn’t a worry when these are worn (at least not as much as when other gloves are worn).
Advantage:
Multi-purpose design
Miller 263343 Arc Armor MIG/Stick Welding Glove
The Miller 264433 Welding Gloves are made using the best quality cowhide with inner lining for superior grip as well as increased comfort. They also have a two-toned color scheme consisting of black and blue colors. The gloves also have a double padded palm and wrist regions for greater support forlong hours of welding. The ergonomic placement of the leather in the Miller Arc Armor ensures that you are able to retain finger motion while they are in use.
The gloves feature double stitching for keeping up with prolonged usage. The gloves are made of a flame and heat resistant materials for added protection and also features a longer length to keep the wrist as well as the lower arm safe from welding sparks.
Advantage:
Ergonomic design
Made of quality materials
Comfortable
Why is it important to protect your hands while you’re welding?
Of course welding can be fun, if it’s done correctly. As a people we tend to focus on the enjoyable aspects of activities and forget about the negatives that come along with it. When you weld you can create beautiful, useful things – if you take care of yourself while doing it.
Listed below are the reasons why having proper hand protection is so important.
Open current
An open current of electricity is always near when you’re welding – that’s what an arc is. When you weld you do not want to have your flesh bare and able to be affected by the current. I’ve heard that death by electricity isn’t the most enjoyable thing in the world.
High heat
Again, when you’re welding you’re exposing your hands to high levels of heat – you’re blending 2 or more pieces of metal together. The obvious issue with this is that when you don’t have proper (or sufficient) hand protection you open your body up to the possibility of taking on high degrees of burning. On that same note, splatter from the weld is another big issue that comes up during the weld.
Welding Glove Review Wrap-Up
Overall we see that the gloves mentioned here fulfill the criterion given above and provide the required comfort, protection as well as ventilation to work for longer times without tiring our hands. These gloves are cheap too, so there is ultimately no reason left to work bare-handed while welding. A bit of safety can go a long way in making lives better and the same thing applies here too – they can likely be considered the best welding gloves on the market. A $20 glove will go a long way to keep the welder safe, comfortable which will result in productivity peaking as the worker can work freely without fear of getting harmed by the process of welding. He can instead use the welding process to his advantage, by completing his work fast and also will experiment to find the best weld for the given metal.
Welding is a useful yet a dangerous process and any laxity regarding safety during welding can result in a host of health issues for the welder ranging from serious to even fatal. Safety cannot be compromised by buying faulty products made by brands having no trust factor in the market.
One of the most well-known names for welding protection equipment is The Jackson Safety Division which is of Kimberly-Clark Professional group of companies. It is one of the pioneers in making safety equipment for many industrial sectors, including welding. They also have both an excellent build quality and customers who swear by its products too.
Below is a list of the welding helmets that’ll be reviewed
The Jackson Balder BH3 is an award-winning welding helmet having the best optical viewing quality of all helmets worldwide, only possible due to the application of cutting-edge Balder technology in its lens. The auto-dimming technology in unrivaled with excellent clarity and color recognition which provides its users a sharp and precise view of the metal they are welding. It also has variable shades ranging from 9-13 and this helmet never needs batteries and can recharge itself from the solar panels present on top of it.
The Jackson Balder BH3 also has a viewing area of 3.78×2.69 inches, making its users view the welds without lifting their helmets easily. It also comes with impact resistance, heat protection, and ventilation channels for a comfortable experience over a long time, and the helmet can also be used for protection during torch welding.
The helmet is also CE certified and has passed several safety tests with ease.
Jackson Ace Of SpadesNexGen Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
The Jackson Ace of Spades NexGen is an auto-dimming helmet with a unique decal style to appeal to card-playing hardcore welders. The helmet is extremely lightweight and provides superior comfort and protection, all under a package of under 6 ounces. The shell of the helmet is made of up premium HydraFlex material, which is flexible yet provides impact resistance and heat resistance. It also features variable shades ranging from 9-13 to provide superior clarity while working. It also has a large viewing area of around 9 square inches.
The helmet is powered by a beefy battery which provides up to 800 hours of working time. The helmet also has an auto-shutoff feature which switches its dimmers automatically when no activity is detected for 20 minutes. The lenses also have full-time UV/IR protection as well as an LCD with touch control buttons to adjust various parameters.
The helmet has also passed various certification tests and is also CE certified. It carries a 2-year warranty.
Jackson Arc Angel BOSS EQC Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
The Jackson Arc Angel BOSS is an auto-dimming helmet having a huge 13.2 square inches if viewing area, which is a whole 3 inches larger than other welding helmets. The shell is designed for comfort and is extremely lightweight, catering to welders welding over a long period of time in uncomfortable situations. The HydraFlex body is flexible yet can brace heavy impacts and the Duralogic metallic paint job makes the helmet an ideal choice for the style conscious.
The helmet has variable shades ranging from 9-12 and is powered by AAA batteries ensuring wide compatibility. It also is 3-in-1 capable, meaning it can support weld, grind as well as cut mode, resulting is increased productivity and re-usability and decreased costs. The helmet also has buttons for adjusting the sensitivity as well as a delay of the tints.
The Jackson Arc Angel BOSS is also CE certified, along with a range of other certifications. The helmet has a 2-year warranty.
Jackson I2 Insight Lens Welding Helmet
The Jackson I2 Insight Lens helmet in an auto-dimming helmet with a 1/10000 second tint switching speed, to ensure continued protection of the eyes with variable weld intensities. It has a viewing area of 3.93×2.36 inches, which provides a big enough view of the weld the person is working on. It comes in a HydraFlex shell and has a stylish flame paint job too. It also features 9-13 variable shades and is powered by two lithium batteries.
The helmet can also be set in the weld or grind mode to adapt to the different working needs of the user. It also has LED lit controls to change and cycle through different modes as well as set various parameters for the helmet. The Jackson I2 insight also features sensitivity and delay adjustments with a built-in magnification lens holder.
The helmet meets ANSI Z87.1-2010 standards and is CSA Z94.3 as well as CE compliant.
Jackson Black TrueSight II Lens Welding Helmet
The Jackson TrueSight II is powered by the Balder lens technology, which gives excellent clarity and true-to-life color reproduction. The helmet possesses an optical classification of 1/1/1/1, which leads to it offering the best view of weld puddle in the world. The lens also has a 3-in-1 mode, which allows it to be used effortlessly for weld, grind as well as for cut operations. The shell is lightweight yet durable providing comfort as well as impact protection.
The lens has a huge 13 square inches of viewing area and also features dual variable range from 5-8 as well as from 9-13. It also has an LCD with control buttons for setting the helmet according to usage and features delay as well as sensitivity adjustment options. The helmet also has an “Auto-ON” function which switches on the tint function of the helmet itself on detecting welding flashes.
The helmet meets ANSI Z87.1-2010 and is CE as well as CSA Z94.3 compliant.
Jackson Safety Background Information
Jackson Safety Division is making welding helmets for the last 75 years, so you can rest assured that they know their craft well. Their products are one of the most comfortable sold in the market currently, and they also make different types of helmets for different head sizes, for different work uses as well as for different price points.
The company spends a lot of money on research and development of new technologies to increase comfort as well as reduce stress while using the helmets. Their products are also durable, rugged and reliable and have been proven to go on for almost forever.
Jackson’s helmets were the first in the market to feature auto-dimming technology. This technology auto-detects the welding intensity and adjusts the tint in the lenses appropriately, ensuring visual comfort as well as protection against toxic elements. So today we look at the best Jackson helmets for different welding applications.
The Jackson helmets we have for review up today are all the best in their range and feature the useful auto-dimming technology. In no particular order, they are as follows:
Jackson Balder BH3 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Jackson Ace Of Spades NexGen Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
Jackson Arc Angel BOSS EQC Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
Jackson I2 Insight Lens Welding Helmet
Jackson Black TrueSight II Lens Welding Helmet
We will discuss briefly each of the welding helmets, along with its use case in detail below.
Why Purchase A Jackson Welding Helmet?
Jackson products strive to provide the balance between comfort and safety and implement their latest research technologies in their products to make their products unique as well as standards compliant. They understand the needs of the welding community well and they also reach out to their customers for continuous feedback to improve their products and make them more and more welder-friendly.
Their products are one of the best when it comes to safety and durability as well as cost effectiveness. Overall it can be said that one cannot go wrong buying Jackson products and the proof of this fact is the swathes of customers which buy, use and trust Jackson as well as recommend it to friends and family.
In an activity such as welding it is of the upmost importance that you have the equipment necessary to keep you safe. Do you work in a scenario that requires maximized optical protection? If so, A portable welding screen is a great piece of equipment to have on hand. They are extremely popular among both hobby and professional welders for their ability to provide protection in a high-temperature environment, and also their ability to protect against weld sparks and splatter.
Welding curtains and screens function differently depending on what kind you purchase, some are hung over surfaces or other pieces of equipment that need to be protected, while others are just hung from the ceiling to frame in a working space.
Any person who considers themselves a welder will likely have multiple of these on hand. After all, protection is key in a strenuous job such as this.
Below are the welding blankets, sheets, and curtains that will be reviewed.
Best Portable Welding Blankets, Curtains, and Screens Reviews
Steiner 316-8×10 Velvet Shield
The Steiner Velvet Shield is a very tough welding blanket designed to withstand high temperatures and the daily welding environment. It’s a cheap option that is only a pound, and measures 8 feet by 10 feet long. And the most important part? It can withstand an environment and direct weld splatter of up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit! Our recommended option is the 8 by 10 due to size and ability to provide coverage, however, they do produce smaller sizes for other welding environments. It’s CFM approved and has been professionally stress-tested in order to make sure it is reliable.
Tillman 6042066 2 Panel Blue Vinyl
We absolutely love that this curtain comes with a built-in standing frame. It sets it apart from competitors and makes it extremely useful. Let’s say you are in a situation where you are welding a boat in a boatyard, you don’t want to get any splatter on neighboring boats. What do you do? Use this! The curtain is quite durable and provides a solid welding protection as you can see. Built to help disperse light, it will reduce shadows and other things that can make a welding job difficult. Flame retardant and CFM approved, this is a must-have in any welders toolkit.
Tillman 599B Leather Welding Blanket
Another Tillman welding product that we recommend, it’s leather and much tougher than a cloth blanket will be. Just like the cloth blankets, it protects sparks and spatters. It’s a great solution for situations ranging from heavy-duty work to automotive to any kind of job where thin sheet metal may be required.
A downside to this welding blank is that it doesn’t fold up as nicely as a cloth one does, so it takes up some space. It also does not have the built-in grommets for hanging, however, you could punch holes and add them yourself.
In an activity such as welding it is of the upmost importance that you have the equipment necessary to keep you safe. Do you work in a scenario that requires maximized optical protection? If so, A portable welding screen is a great piece of equipment to have on hand. They are extremely popular among both hobby and professional welders for their ability to provide protection in a high-temperature environment, and also their ability to protect against weld sparks and splatter.
Welding curtains and screens function differently depending on what kind you purchase, some are hung over surfaces or other pieces of equipment that need to be protected, while others are just hung from the ceiling to frame in a working space.
Any person who considers themselves a welder will likely have multiple of these on hand. After all, protection is key in a strenuous job such as this.
Below are the welding blankets, sheets, and curtains that will be reviewed.
Best Portable Welding Blankets, Curtains, and Screens Reviews
Steiner 316-8×10 Velvet Shield
The Steiner Velvet Shield is a very tough welding blanket designed to withstand high temperatures and the daily welding environment. It’s a cheap option that is only a pound, and measures 8 feet by 10 feet long. And the most important part? It can withstand an environment and direct weld splatter of up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit! Our recommended option is the 8 by 10 due to size and ability to provide coverage, however, they do produce smaller sizes for other welding environments. It’s CFM approved and has been professionally stress-tested in order to make sure it is reliable.
Tillman 6042066 2 Panel Blue Vinyl
We absolutely love that this curtain comes with a built-in standing frame. It sets it apart from competitors and makes it extremely useful. Let’s say you are in a situation where you are welding a boat in a boatyard, you don’t want to get any splatter on neighboring boats. What do you do? Use this! The curtain is quite durable and provides a solid welding protection as you can see. Built to help disperse light, it will reduce shadows and other things that can make a welding job difficult. Flame retardant and CFM approved, this is a must-have in any welders toolkit.
Tillman 599B Leather Welding Blanket
Another Tillman welding product that we recommend, it’s leather and much tougher than a cloth blanket will be. Just like the cloth blankets, it protects sparks and spatters. It’s a great solution for situations ranging from heavy-duty work to automotive to any kind of job where thin sheet metal may be required.
A downside to this welding blank is that it doesn’t fold up as nicely as a cloth one does, so it takes up some space. It also does not have the built-in grommets for hanging, however, you could punch holes and add them yourself.
Anybody can go out and buy a MIG welder, but not anyone can buy a good MIG welder. This is because selecting a MIG welder can be a very confusing task. To help eliminate some of the confusion, I will discuss the important components of a MIG welder. I will also tell you what to consider when buying a welder and some of the best welders on the market today.
Below are the MIG welders that’re going to be reviewed
What factors should you consider when you’re purchasing a MIG welder?
Input and Output Power
The amount of power that you require will be dependent on the type of project that you will be working on. If you plan on working on smaller, DIY, home-based projects, then I recommend that you select a 115V welder with an output of 140A. But, if you are planning on working with larger, more complex projects, then a 220V welder with an output of 180A would be better suited for your project.
Power
Consider the amount of power that you would need on the thickness of the materials that you use. If you plan on welding material that is 1.0 mm thick, then it’s recommended that you select a MIG welder with a minimum of 30 amps. Go for less than 30 amps if you plan on working with thinner sheets. Or, go for more than 30 amps if you work with thicker sheets. Remember the thirty rule in this case.
Duty Cycle
If you plan on using your MIG welder for long periods during the course of a single day, then consider the duty cycle. A duty cycle at 20 percent would work non-stop for two consecutive minutes. Remember that by putting more power in the output, the duty cycle will be shorter.
Wire-Feed Speed
Every MIG welder works at a different wire-feed speed. Every different material requires a different wire-feed speed in order to ensure an accurate welding. This is why every MIG welder comes with various speeds choices to accommodate various materials.
Spool Gun
Spool guns are often used with aluminum materials. If you decide to go with a spool gun, then I recommend that you select one that has special features for better welding. One important feature on spool guns is the euro-connect. Now that you know five of the most important characteristics involved in choosing a MIG welder, I will now discuss some of the best MIG welders on the market.
If you are a beginner to welding, then I suggest that you select the Lotos MIG 140. This welder is the best on the market for beginners because it has easy to use buttons and has enough power for a wide range of home-based DIY projects.
Everlast Poweri-MIG 140E
But if you are not new to welding but looking to use it for the home, then I suggest that you go with the Lincoln Easy Mig 140 with an input power of 120V. But if you plan on welding outside the home, then consider the Everlast Poweri-MIG 140E. This welder’s unique feature is its ability to invert power so that you can use it in remote sites where there might be a shortage of power.
Lincoln Electric K2185-1
If you are watching your budget, then I suggest that you choose the Lincoln Electric K2185-1. This extremely affordable welder is a powerful 115V tool with an output of 88A.
Unlike a lot of other types of welding, TIG welding does have a bit more of a degree of difficulty. The first thing when looking to begin welding is to make sure you have yourself in a steady position. The reason that the steady position is so important is due to the fact that you will have to be within 1mm of the item you are welding. Make sure that your muscles are relaxed. It is often not advised that you weld after doing any type of physical activity. If possible, make sure that the workshop is at as comfortable of a temperature as possible. Often a person will make the discovery that they need glasses to see where they need to weld when they first begin to weld. The reason for this is due to having to be so close to the area. You will need to make sure that you choose the right angle as well as the right size rod for what you are looking to weld.
Below are the TIG welders to be reviewed:
2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v
This well-put-together machine has a design that is meant to provide value and functionality to its users. The item features a neatly organized inside as well as solid brass units that will do a great job of prolonging the life of the machine itself. When it comes to functionality the item will provide users with what they need due to the fact that it has highly functional features that are meant to do so. While the AHP Alpha may cost a bit more than the average item, it does have features which justify the price.
This rather versatile welder is another great choice for those individuals who require a bit more in the way of functionality from their welding machine. This welder features a dual voltage design which allows the welder to be used for a wide range of environments. The design of this welder also features a design that allows it to give users a bit more leeway in what they can do with their weld. It can be used for both TIG welding and MIG welding which is another plus for the tool.
Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 TIG Welder, K5126-1
This TIG welder comes right out of the box with all of the materials that one would need in order to effectively use it. It sells for a bit higher of a price than the many other welders mentioned but it does provide an adequate level of functionality to make up for it’s higher than average pricing point. The weight of this welder -73.2 lbs – is slightly below average as well. It also functions as both a stick welder and gives users a bit more of an option in terms of they can use the Lincoln Electric for.
Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V
This beast of a TIG welder known as the Hobart AC/DC Tig welder is a 220 Volt AC/DC dedicated welder. It comes with all of the standard torches and gauges necessary to begin welding right out of the box. With that being said, it has a 110% duty cycle that allows the machine to stay hard at work and provide both novice and experienced welders with a lifetime worth of use. Another thing to note is that the welder features a materials selection (AC/DC); this means that the user can choose what setting they would like to weld against with their tool.
What is TIG/ GTAW Welding?
Gas Tungsten arc welding which is known as GTAW can also be called by its other common name of tungsten inert gas welding. This is a process that employs the use of a non-consumable tungsten electrode that produces the weld. Unlike other types of welding, TIG welding protects the welding surface with a gas such as argon or helium that is inert from contamination from the atmosphere. While not all the time, a filler metal may be used as well. Certain types of welds known as autogenous welds will not require a filler metal. The process uses a constant electrical power supply that creates an electrical energy that is then conducted through the formed arc across the gasses and vapors of metal which produces what is called plasma.
What do you look for in TIG welders?
When looking for a TIG welder, there are certain things that you will need and want to look for to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. This is not like buying a number of the other types of welders. Things like amperage range, low amperage welding abilities, AC/DC Welding are a few of the things that you need to look for when buying your first TIG welder. One last thing that you will want to look at is the types of controls that the welder has, make sure that it has the controls that you need to control the various types of functions.
Unlike a lot of other types of welding, TIG welding does have a bit more of a degree of difficulty. The first thing when looking to begin welding is to make sure you have yourself in a steady position. The reason that the steady position is so important is due to the fact that you will have to be within 1mm of the item you are welding. Make sure that your muscles are relaxed. It is often not advised that you weld after doing any type of physical activity. If possible, make sure that the workshop is at as comfortable of a temperature as possible. Often a person will make the discovery that they need glasses to see where they need to weld when they first begin to weld. The reason for this is due to having to be so close to the area. You will need to make sure that you choose the right angle as well as the right size rod for what you are looking to weld.
2023 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v
This well-put-together machine has a design that is meant to provide value and functionality to its users. The item features a neatly organized inside as well as solid brass units that will do a great job of prolonging the life of the machine itself. When it comes to functionality the item will provide users with what they need due to the fact that it has highly functional features that are meant to do so. While the AHP Alpha may cost a bit more than the average item, it does have features which justify the price.
This rather versatile welder is another great choice for those individuals who require a bit more in the way of functionality from their welding machine. This welder features a dual voltage design which allows the welder to be used for a wide range of environments. The design of this welder also features a design that allows it to give users a bit more leeway in what they can do with their weld. It can be used for both TIG welding and MIG welding which is another plus for the tool.
Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 TIG Welder, K5126-1
This TIG welder comes right out of the box with all of the materials that one would need in order to effectively use it. It sells for a bit higher of a price than the many other welders mentioned but it does provide an adequate level of functionality to make up for it’s higher than average pricing point. The weight of this welder -73.2 lbs – is slightly below average as well. It also functions as both a stick welder and gives users a bit more of an option in terms of they can use the Lincoln Electric for.
Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V
This beast of a TIG welder known as the Hobart AC/DC Tig welder is a 220 Volt AC/DC dedicated welder. It comes with all of the standard torches and gauges necessary to begin welding right out of the box. With that being said, it has a 110% duty cycle that allows the machine to stay hard at work and provide both novice and experienced welders with a lifetime worth of use. Another thing to note is that the welder features a materials selection (AC/DC); this means that the user can choose what setting they would like to weld against with their tool.
What is TIG/ GTAW Welding?
Gas Tungsten arc welding which is known as GTAW can also be called by its other common name of tungsten inert gas welding. This is a process that employs the use of a non-consumable tungsten electrode that produces the weld. Unlike other types of welding, TIG welding protects the welding surface with a gas such as argon or helium that is inert from contamination from the atmosphere. While not all the time, a filler metal may be used as well. Certain types of welds known as autogenous welds will not require a filler metal. The process uses a constant electrical power supply that creates an electrical energy that is then conducted through the formed arc across the gasses and vapors of metal which produces what is called plasma.
What do you look for in TIG welders?
When looking for a TIG welder, there are certain things that you will need and want to look for to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. This is not like buying a number of the other types of welders. Things like amperage range, low amperage welding abilities, AC/DC Welding are a few of the things that you need to look for when buying your first TIG welder. One last thing that you will want to look at is the types of controls that the welder has, make sure that it has the controls that you need to control the various types of functions.
Plasma cutting technology has had significant improvement in recent years. Previously plasma cutters were known as huge clunky welding machines, but nowadays there is a category known as portable plasma cutters (which is what we will be covering today). The modern-day portable plasma cutter is perfect for professionals who need to be able to transport their tools as well as hobbyists who like to be able to use their tools, and then once the project is complete get the tools out sight and out of mind. This post will outline for you what to look for when purchasing a plasma cutter as well as review the machines known as the best plasma cutters on the market today.
Our comparisons below will be covering details and just about everything you need to know for quality plasma cutter reviews to help in your buying decisions. These are the plasma cutters that will be reviewed.
What criteria do you use to judge a plasma cutter?
Amperage
The amperage of the machine is the features that dictates the thickness of the material that it can cut. Something to keep in mind when we say this is that the amperage dictates the thickness in the upper limit that the welder can cut. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding on the amperage of the welder is the level of neatness that you would like your cut to have. If you want a cleaner cut, it’s probably best that you choose a cutter that has a lower amperage and vice versa for those with a higher amperage.
Price
The price of the item is an extremely important indicator to the overall quality of the plasma cutter as well. While it may not be true for all Plasma Cutters (or any item for that matter) the price will indicate to you how high quality the item is.
Cutting ability and performance
As with any machine, not all welders are created equally. Some have a higher cutting ability than others. In addition to this, not all Plasma Cutters are made with the ability to cut all material types. A vast majority of the cutting performance of a plasma cutter depends on the machines amperage, a quality that will be discussed in more depth below.
Duty cycle
The duty cycle of the Plasma Cutter is the amount of time the welder can operate without overheating. While the duty cycle may not be a major part of our review, it is definitely a necessary piece to know to make an informed decision on which machine is the best for your needs.
What are the types of Plasma Cutters?
Semi-Portable Plasma Cutter
A plasma cutter that weighs below 100 lbs is one that is likely to be highly portable. These machines are best if you have sheets of metal that are below an inch thick and that can be cut in both the out and indoors.
Heavy Duty Plasma Cutter
Heavy Duty Plasma cutters are good if you have metal that’s between 1 and 1.5 inches thick. If you don’t see yourself cutting incredibly thick metals then it is probably best that you get a semi-portable plasma cutter.
Inverter-type Plasma Cutter
The longevity of this model is it’s saving grace. Inverter type plasma cutters are great because they don’t require their consumables to be replaced as often as other plasma cutters. The flow of plasma in inverter plasma cutters allow them to be a bit more consistent and make them a great choice for anyone seeking to lower their costs in the long run.
Plasma Cutter Reviews
Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc & Lotos LT5000D
Catching us off guard as the best portable plasma cutter is the Lotos LTP5000D, it’s one of the cheapest if not the cheapest portable plasma cutter on the marketing, and it’s know to be extremely easy to use while producing top of the quality plasma cuts. This feedback tells us not to necessarily equate price to value in this case.
It’s a perfect low-cost option for hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers, and it even is well suited for light professional usage, however, this is probably not the option you want to use on heavy industrial cuts. It has a severance thickness of 3 /4 inch or 19mm and works best with an ideal material cut thickness of half-inch (this helps put it into perspective as to why we don’t recommend it for heavy duty usage). It has the option to come with or without a pilot arc depending on what you need, a cool and unique feature.
Featuring an input of 110/220 volts with up to 50amp it packs quite a punch in its 22.5 lbs frame. A one-year satisfaction warranty keeps your purchase safe and assures you that if anything fails or goes wrong, Lotos is there to cover their project. In terms of portability options, it’s a lightweight machine that you can carry with two hands or you can also use the attached folding handle for one-handed carry.
Downsides to this unit are it does not come with a trigger guard for the torch and it also does not come with a 110v pigtail (which needs to be purchased separately). Other than that it’s a solid pick for your need.
Pros
Very affordable
Designed for DIYers and professionals
Cons
Only a 1-year satisfaction warranty
Does not come with a trigger guard
Ramsond CUT 50DX 50 Portable Air Plasma Cutter
A budget-conscious option plasma cutter, it is capable of cutting stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum plate, carbon steel, and even alloy steel. It’s an all-around well-suited product. Perfect for your at home projects or dads side gigs, it’s also a solid option for the plasma cutting business owner and can fulfill it’s job on heavy duty and industrial jobs just as well as it can the DIYer projects.
A built-in air pressure gauge with built-in digital display makes it very easy to see the Ramsond CUT 50DY doing its job successfully or not. It’s capable of cutting objects up to three-quarters inch thick with a severance of up to 1 inch thick.
It’s an advanced unit with a very fair price and power that is incomparable to within its price range for a portable option. It’s a safe buy and something you’re bound to be happy with.
Pros
Dual voltage
60% duty cycle
Cons
Hard plastic line to connect air regulator
Iffy customer support
Hypertherm Powermax 45
This incredibly lightweight Plasma Cutter us one of the best cutters that you will likely see in a long time. The Hypertherm Powermax 45 weighs in at around 37 lbs making it a good choice for those who would need something that they could carry around – it’s highly portable. The straightforward design of this cutter means that it isn’t very difficult to understand the controls, making it a perfect machine for those who are a bit newer to these machines. The Hypertherm powermax features 3 different modes; Continuous pilot arc, Non-continuous pilot arc, gouging. Again, it’s a very simple thing to switch between each of these three modes because of their blatant markings.
Video credits to Miller Welders. It explains what gouging is in relation to plasma cutting. In addition to the different switch modes on the machine, there is also an amperage control feature that you can adjust based on the thickness of the material that you would like to cut. This Plasma Cutter is built for performance and has a relatively simple design. This makes it the perfect machine for those who would like to get a bang for their buck. Pros
Lightweight
Simple Controls
Cons
N/A
Miller Spectrum 375
The Miller Spectrum is great for those who are seeking to cut midrange (3/8 inch) steel. It has the capacity for 30 amps and can cut through a variety of different types of steel. The spectrum features a multi-voltage plug that allows it to easily switch between 120 and 240V. The cut rating associated with this machine is about 3/8 inch at 18 IPM meaning that you will always have a smooth cut at 18 inches per minute. This makes the Miller spectrum ideal for use during fabrication, HVAC and maintenance applications. The Miller Spectrum also features Auto-Line technology that allows it to easily adapt to a wide range of different voltages. Lastly, the ergonomic handle featured with this torch reduces the chances of you dropping the torch while also enhancing the overall feel of it during its use. Pros
Portable design
Built to last
Versatile
Cons
Relatively expensive
Challenge to master
Doesn’t come with an air source
Lotos LTP5000D
The Lotos LTP5000D features a Pilot-Arc function that makes it a go to machine for those who are going to work with rusted deformed material. The Miller Spectrum 375 features an inverter power source that allows it to provide an incredibly high level of output while also maintaining a lightweight design. This machine is best for those who need something that maintains a lightweight design while maintaining a high level of functionality. Another feature that works incredibly well for most individuals is its inherently compact torch design. Also, the Lotos LTP5000D is rated to cut up to 3/4” material which and can even give a decent cut for materials with a 5/8” thickness. Pros
Inexpensive
110V or 220V amp
HAs inverter technology included
Cons
Short ground cable
Flimsy torch trigger
How do Plasma Cutters work?
Plasma Cutters send electric arc through a gas that passes through constricted openings. The type of gas used for plasma cutting varies with the type of metal you’re trying to cut but typically you’ll find the following gas mixes being used:
Air / Air
O2 / Air
Nitrogen / Air
Nitrogen / H2O
Argon Hydrogen / N2
The temperature of the gas then begins to turn into the 4th state of matter (aka plasma). As the metal that’s being cut is part of the circuit the electrical conductivity of the plasma causes the arc to transfer to the pieces being worked on.
The nozzle through which the gas passes through causes it to squeeze by at high speeds like air that passes through a venturi in a carburetor. The high speed of the gas allows it to cut through the molten metal and the gas is directed around the opening of the cutting area and shield the cut.
Video credits to WeldingProjects. It actually goes over how a plasma cutter works.
What specifications and qualities should I look for in a plasma cutter?
Below are a few questions one should ask themselves before they get a plasma cutter.
Does an inverter exist for plasma cutter?
What are the plasma cutters power specifications?
What is the plasma cutter amperage?
How many volts is the plasma cutter compatible with?
What metal thickness can the plasma cutter cut?
How quick can it cut through certain grades of metal?
What kind of control capabilities does the plasma cutter come with?
What are the plasma cutters duty cycle specs?
What materials are the plasma cutter made of? Will the materials require replacement over time?
How is the cut quality of the plasma cutter?
Does the plasma cutter come with an air compressor or do you need to purchase it separately?
