Everyone's Got a Type
Before you go just grabbing the first
welder that fits your bottom line, it's imperative to know what the different
types of welders do. MIG, TIG and stick welders all have their pros and cons,
including how fast they perform and the types of metal they can be used with.
When
It's Time to Buy
Just like any expensive purchase, it's
important to do your research on the unit and the seller. Any listing should
include pictures of the unit, the make and model of the welder, and how old it
is.
One important piece of information you
should know before buying is the duty cycle of the welder. The duty cycle is
the length of time a welder can be used in the span of 10 minutes. A 60-percent
duty cycle, for instance, means a welder can be used six minutes out of every
10, with a cooling period in between.
You should also look for units that
have easily replaceable parts, so if something does go wrong, it's an easy fix.