Five semi-automatic welding machines for the garage or workshop

From a technical point of view, the MULTI-MIG-285 Profi welding machine "Steel" is one of the simplest models among devices capable of welding metal in two modes: MIG / MAG (semi-automatic welding) and MMA (arc welding with electrodes). Although the device is considered "low-cost" and almost amateur, it allows you to use two different types of wire in automatic mode: regular (for welding in a shielding gas environment) and flux (without the use of carbon dioxide).

The low (by the standards of this class of equipment) price of the device is due to its configuration and the technical solutions used. In particular, in order to reduce the cost of construction, the manufacturer equipped the equipment with a non-removable sleeve with a burner, which is not designed for continuous operation at high currents, and a plastic wire pulling mechanism. The length of the cables is also not impressive (to the electrode - 1.7 m, to the "mass" - 1.3 m, sleeve - 2 m), forcing the equipment to be located almost close to the part to be welded. Due to not the best ventilation, the device has a below-average frequency of use (40%), which makes it necessary to take quite long pauses during operation to cool the "insides" of the equipment.

But at the same time, despite the "low-cost", the device is equipped with a full range of auxiliary functions (hot start, arc forcing, protection against sticking of the electrode) and can work at slightly reduced voltage (up to 180 V).

"Steel" MULTI-MIG-285 Profi is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to cook, and for craftsmen who do not weld too often. The low price, wide range of current settings and the ability to use various types of wires and electrodes ( up to 5 mm in diameter) make this device an excellent choice for those who are looking for affordable and versatile equipment for occasional use. Another argument in favor of this device is its ability to work from medium-class generators(only 6.5 kW is needed), unlike most of the “classmates” that require more powerful power sources.

Grand MIG/MMA-360 Professional can be considered as a universal device, because it is suitable for welding with both electrodes and wires. A wide range of welding currents (from 30 A to 360 A) allows the use of various electrodes with a diameter of 1.6 mm to 6 mm (although many users recommend limiting themselves to "triples" and "fours", when working with which there is some "margin" in current and not weak wires and tips overheat), as well as wire with a diameter of up to 1 mm. The possibility of changing the polarity is provided, which allows the use of not only ordinary copper-plated wire, but also flux-cored wire.

The design of the equipment is not too complicated, but solid. In particular, it is worth noting that the single-roller wire pulling mechanism is made of metal (in many other "low-cost" devices it is plastic). Thermal protection is not the most modern (insulation class F), but there are no complaints about the quality of cooling. The device is equipped with a "hot start" function and protection against sticking of the electrodes, which are of great help during operation. But there is no arc forcing function. Although, as practice shows, when using normal electrodes, the arc ignites easily and burns steadily.

Two digital displays placed on the front panel show voltage and current. But one of them is tricky. The amperage is shown only during operation (that is, when you monitor the quality of the seam and do not have the opportunity to look at the display). Therefore, before welding, you have to set the current "by eye", and then, in the process of work, squint with one eye at the indicator to make sure that its value matches the desired characteristics. This feature of the device is not very convenient for beginners.

Grand MIG/MMA-360 Professional can be recommended for purchase for several reasons. Among them: affordable cost (as for equipment of this class), versatility, stable operation at low voltage (160 V) and the ability to cook with wire without a carbon dioxide cylinder. It is great for garage and home workshop. But it’s better for professionals to look towards more “serious” equipment than Grand welding machines.

For craftsmen Tekhmann TWI-305 MIG is interesting because for a moderate amount (within $150) you can get a reliable machine that can weld metal in various ways: with electrodes (up to 6 mm) and wire, in a protective gas environment or without it. The characteristics of the device make it a versatile piece of equipment suitable for a variety of welders, from hobbyists to professionals.

The current adjustment range is impressive - from 20 A to 305 A (note that working with currents greater than 250 A is possible only in networks with automatic machines and 36 A sockets). This allows you to choose the optimal operating mode for any type of welding. But note that the indication of the current value (that is, the numbers on the corresponding display) is displayed only directly during welding. Therefore, the actual current value is always slightly different from the one you are trying to set using the “twist” before starting work. You need to get used to such a feature of a semi-automatic device.

Despite the powerful ventilation system, which drives a lot of air through the case, the device works quite quietly. The utilization rate is an impressive 75% (you can cook metal almost non-stop). Productive and easy work is greatly facilitated by electronic "assistants": hot start, arc forcing and protection against sticking.

The Tekhmann TWI-305 MIG semi-automatic inverter performs well when used in everyday life and in commercial operation. It is important that it is undemanding to the quality of the current and can operate at low voltage. Masters who have chosen Tekhmann are unlikely to regret their decision, because these devices are considered among the best in terms of price and performance among those available on the market.

"Paton" PSI-160S belongs to a rather rare type of welding machine, because it can be used to perform three types of welding at once: manual (MMA), semi-automatic (MIG / MAG) and argon-arc (TIG). And in all three modes, it works perfectly: the arc burns stably, the quality of the seam is good even for inexperienced welders, and slag inclusions are at a minimum. The only “but” is that the maximum welding current of the device is not the largest (only 160 A), which slightly limits the scope of its use. For example, the device will not “pull” work with electrodes with a diameter of more than 4 mm and wire with a diameter of more than 1 mm. If this question is fundamental for you, then you should look at other, more powerful models from the same family: PSI-200S and PSI-250S.

Out of the box, the device is set to medium operating modes (which is especially convenient for beginners). But it has a unique flexibility in settings and adjustments. Armed with instructions, using numerous buttons and switches, you can change the operating current and voltage, wire feed speed, debug hot start and afterburner to your liking, disable sticking protection or the VRD function (which lowers the voltage to a level safe for humans when the electrode does not touch the metal), adjust the current ripple frequency and many more parameters.

Paton devices are perfectly adapted to our electrical networks. In particular, this model is protected from power surges and can work uninterruptedly at low (160 V) and high (up to 260 V) voltage values in the network. All electronic modules are covered with two layers of varnish, which ensures high reliability of the "stuffing". Electronics is placed in a separate compartment of the case to protect it from dust. Such solutions make it possible to use the welding machine in dusty rooms and in factories, without much fear for its performance and durability.

"Paton" PSI-160S will be of interest to welders who pay maximum attention to the quality of welding and the accuracy of the seams. This device is optimally suited for painstaking work that requires fine-tuning of equipment. It can also be used for welding non-ferrous metals, because the pulse mode is activated for all three types of welding.

Kaiser MIG-315 Pro is a professional welding machine. It differs from household equipment, first of all, in that it cannot operate from a conventional single-phase 220-volt network. He needs three phases and 400 V.

The characteristics of the machine meet the needs of most welders. It can weld with electrodes (up to 6 mm in diameter) and two types of wire: ordinary (in a protective gas environment) and flux (without gas). A set of "on-board electronics" includes almost all kinds of "assistants": hot start, afterburner, protection against sticking of the electrode and an open circuit voltage limiter (VRD). There is a place for installing heavy (up to 15 kg) coils of large diameter in order to lessen their rearrangement during operation. There is a special output with a voltage of 36 V on the back of the case, to which you can connect a gas cylinder reducer heater.

Asking the price of the device Kaiser MIG-315 Pro, you should remember that it is designed for stationary use. After all, it will not work to carry large and heavy (23 kg) equipment back and forth, and it does not have transport wheels. This device is best suited for those who are professionally engaged in welding and work in a specially prepared room. The device is not cheap (price in the region of $ 500 is a very impressive cost by the standards of welding inverters), but professional welders have to invest in good equipment, like Kaiser equipment, so as not to be left without a device at the most inopportune moment.