Are you a hobbyist or do-it-yourself welder? Then you have probably already wondered many times what an easy-to-use welding machine is like. Because let’s face it: when we create projects with our own hands, we want to weld without worrying or wasting time figuring out how it works. Sure, you have to know the basics of welding, but what you want is to open the box of the tool you have chosen and start welding right away, correct?
But before looking at the features, let’s be clear: there is no absolutely easy-to-use welding machine. Ease of use depends on how familiar you are with welding. And that is why we have decided to split this guide into two parts: the first for beginners (if you have never welded before) and the second for those who already know how to weld and have some experience.
Easy-to-use welding machines for absolute beginners
Inverter welding machines
For DIY enthusiasts who want to learn how to weld, we recommend starting with an inverter welding machine because it is generally easier than a conventional welding machine.
We would love to explain the specific differences in operation, but this article would become too long. Let’s just say that a welding machine with inverter technology does not operate on alternating current but has an electronic circuit that delivers a current like direct current.
This means that it is easier for the machine to maintain certain balances and therefore tends to correct some small mistakes that a welder might make. That’s why an inverter welding machine is easier to use. helviLITE welding machines all feature inverter technology.
Easy-to-use stick welders with automatic devices
Stick welding is easier if you choose a welding machine for DIY designed for hobbyists. You will immediately realise which one it is because it has automatic features that help non-experts. For example, let’s explain the ones you will find in our stick welding machines (rodMAKER 131, rodMAKER 171, rodMAKER 211):
- Hot start: it makes triggering the electrode easier.
- Arc Force: it increases the welding current in case of too short arc.
- Anti-Sticking: it prevents the electrode from sticking.
Plus, all helviLITE stick welders are easy to set up: you only have one knob to set the diameter of the electrode you are working with. Just set it and the welding machine takes care of the rest.
Want to know more? Learn do-it-yourself stick welding
The easy-to-use wire welder is a synergic welding machine
If you have never welded with a wire, then choose a synergic welding machine. Indeed, the most difficult thing for someone welding for the first time with a wire is to find the right balance between wire feed speed and machine power. If you don’t find this balance, you risk burning the wire too fast or too slow. So finding it is essential. But you may have to try several times before you find the right balance…
The synergic welder does it all for you! Great, isn’t it? It is designed to give you the right wire feed speed and the right power.
For example, the helviLITE filMAKER 182, the do-it-yourself wire welding machine, works this way: just set the thickness of the workpiece you want to weld on the knob and start right away!
Plus, you have a second knob to adjust the balance of wire feed speed and power, while preserving the right balance set automatically by the welding machine. So, as you practise welding, you will find the perfect balance for you. In practice, you will be perfectly in sync with the filMAKER: you will do great things together!
Want to learn continuous wire welding? Here’s an article to explain it.
An easy-to-use TIG welding machine
OK, let’s get one thing straight: TIG welding is certainly not the easiest process because it requires a certain degree of manual skill. But we are convinced that anyone can weld and that passion can be stronger than any fear, so even a beginner can approach TIG welding.
You can recognise a simple TIG welding machine by the fact that it has few parameters to set. And it is better to start with an HF TIG welder because it is easier if you lack manual skill: just press the button on the torch to start the welding arc.
To be even clearer, let’s take the example of the tigMAKER 210HF Pulse, our TIG welding machine. You can weld in HF TIG mode and you only have two knobs to set. One lets you adjust the welding current and the other the downslope, that is the time for the current to ramp down during welding and the time for the arc to extinguish. Of course, you will have to do a few tests before welding, so you won’t be able to throw yourself into your project right away, but we are sure that once you understand how it works, you will have loads of fun!
If you want to learn TIG welding, read this guide.
The easy-to-use welders if you already know how to weld
Multiprocess welding machines with manual modes
Multiprocess welders are the perfect choice if you are already familiar with welding because you have several welding processes at your disposal, all in the same machine. This means that there are no limits to your projects: you are free to create whatever you want.
Since you are not a pro, we still recommend you choose an easy-to-use multiprocess welding machine so that you can focus entirely on your DIY project or repair work, without any worries!
Do-it-yourself multiprocess welders have automatic modes that let you weld with full confidence, as well as manual modes to fine-tune the machine and get a weld just the way you want it.
Let’s take our multiMAKER 192 for instance. Here are all the features that make it the perfect choice if you already know how to weld.
- The panel is always user-friendly so you can set all the parameters with the knobs (Come on! If you’re already into welding, let’s call them potentiometers). But the great thing is that you also have displays to help you set the parameters more precisely.
- If you choose wire welding and want to do a good job easily, synergic mode is your choice. As we explained above, it is a great help because the welding machine finds the right wire feed speed for you, based on two parameters you set: the thickness of the workpiece to be welded and the wire you use (diameter and type).
- If you wire-weld and are more familiar with welding, you can choose manual mode. To make it easier to weld in this mode, we have put a very useful table inside the box. By following the table, you will find the right setting depending on the wire you use and the thickness of the workpiece to be welded. Plus, you have all the information you need to weld precisely with any type of wire and on three different materials: iron, stainless steel and aluminium. Easy, isn’t it?
- If you do a stick welding job, besides the welding current, you can even set Hot Start manually and choose how much extra power to have when you start welding.
In short, with multiprocess welding machines with manual and automatic modes, welding is easier but at the same time you can adjust several parameters to your liking. As you gain experience, you can choose the mode you prefer, always welding easily and optimally. Don’t you find it more fun?
In conclusion, an easy-to-use welding machine is the one that best matches your welding experience. Always choose a do-it-yourself welding machine so you can rely on features specifically designed for hobbyists.
Have a look at helviLITE do-it-yourself welding machines on Amazon.
