Entry level inverter arc welder

[kdev]

Hi all, as per title, sorry if its been asked recently. Im looking for an entry level 140 amp arc welder. Thinking maybe a par weld 143. Anything else i should be considering? Its basically to learn on really and the odd repair around a small holding so really needs a 13amp supply etc .
Dont need to spend a fortune but also don't want one that's junk either.... probably around £150 budget for the machine. Any thoughts are most welcome .

 

[rosinante]

My 80 amp Aldi unit burns a 2.5 rod, 60 quid from aldi , built this tailgate from 3 mm box steel just fine ,
Done other bits and bobs as well, also got an auto darkening helmet ,
Chris

 

[kdev]

Thanks Chris , ill take a look to see if they are still selling them

 

[SierraV6]

Hi all, as per title, sorry if its been asked recently. Im looking for an entry level 140 amp arc welder. Thinking maybe a par weld 143. Anything else i should be considering? Its basically to learn on really and the odd repair around a small holding so really needs a 13amp supply etc .
Dont need to spend a fortune but also don't want one that's junk either.... probably around £150 budget for the machine. Any thoughts are most welcome .

I have the previous version and it’s great. I mostly use it at home on 3mm steel, but it will handle heavier box section etc. no problem. I don’t do a lot of stick welding, so having something easy to set up and use is certainly advantageous.

 

[skotl]

Welcome to the forum!

If you want ultra cheap / disposable then the cheapie options from Amazon and others are surprisingly good: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=arc+welder

I did a review of a similar version (no longer available, but effectively the same as the ones linked above) here: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...eapie-sungold-200a-inverter-arc-welder.79423/

And a few others on here have bought them for as cheap as £40 and been surprised at how good they are.

 

[Richiew]

The Parweld is a decent choice. It is easier to learn on 3.2mm rods in my opinion, so the higher available amperage is helpful.

The trouble with really cheap inverters is that they don't always put out the amps they are supposed to. This isn't very helpful for someone learning while applying suggested settings on the dial.

When you are trying to keep on top of travel speed, rod angle and arc length to get a decent weld you don't really want to be guessing the amps that the welder is putting out as well.

 

[steve t]

I had a parweld 160 amp model was a great we welder. Had it for years was surprised at the abuse it took. Left in van, dropped, dragged through cow muck etc. I built some stuff with it.

 

[Richiew]

They are built to work.

 

[sardine]

Aldi or Lidl is going to be a good choice because of their no quibble returns policy, cheap high power electronics is not going to last long so just treat it as disposable .

 

[eddie49]

Thanks Chris , ill take a look to see if they are still selling them

The welders and other tools are usually only in-store for a short time at Aldi ( "Ferrex" ) and Lidl ( "Parkside" ). After that, you can often find re-sellers on eBay. At the moment there are several new inverter arc welders for sale there, some at prices that are not too inflated. Search "Parkside Welder". However, without an in-store receipt, you will not get the benefit of the 3-year warranty.

 

[MattF]

Even though I've not used it yet, I bought a Deko unit from Amazon, as they had a good deal on it at the time. Generally good reviews, & when I checked on Youtube for any reviews, they all seemed positive. For what they cost, not a major risk regardless. Replacing the "fuse" in the plug is first point of call though.

 

[leadpig]

Rtech 135, true 3.2 rod machine
Brilliant customer service
And I seem to weld better with it than with the telwin and kempi i had years ago

 

[aesmith]

I couldn't justify a pro or semi-pro machine, so went for Static Arc. I expect they're the same quality as other Chinese made but at least they're retailed by a welding outfit who gave sensible answers to my questions.

I went for the 200A model for around £65 all in.

MMA 200 INVERTER WELDER DC ROD ARC ELECTRODE STICK WELDING KIT 200A

STATIC ARC WELDING SUPPLIES, MIG TIG MMA ARC WELDERS FILLER RODS ELECTRODES WIRE TUNGSTEN CONSUMABLES MB15 MASK HELMET GLOVES CLAMPS TORCH 14AK PLASMA CUTTER PT31 GAS REGULATOR GASLESS FLUX WIRE FEED ROLLER CABLE ANGLE GRINDER BENCH SANDER JIGSAW DRILL POLISHER STEEL FLAT ROUND SQUARE ANGLE BARS...

static-arc.myshopify.com

 

[skotl]

I couldn't justify a pro or semi-pro machine, so went for Static Arc. I expect they're the same quality as other Chinese made but at least they're retailed by a welding outfit who gave sensible answers to my questions.

I went for the 200A model for around £65 all in.

MMA 200 INVERTER WELDER DC ROD ARC ELECTRODE STICK WELDING KIT 200A

STATIC ARC WELDING SUPPLIES, MIG TIG MMA ARC WELDERS FILLER RODS ELECTRODES WIRE TUNGSTEN CONSUMABLES MB15 MASK HELMET GLOVES CLAMPS TORCH 14AK PLASMA CUTTER PT31 GAS REGULATOR GASLESS FLUX WIRE FEED ROLLER CABLE ANGLE GRINDER BENCH SANDER JIGSAW DRILL POLISHER STEEL FLAT ROUND SQUARE ANGLE BARS...

static-arc.myshopify.com

Bargain
Looks like the generic Amazon Chinese options but at a lower price and from a reseller you have faith in. Enjoy!

 

[JOEPRO]

I couldn't justify a pro or semi-pro machine, so went for Static Arc. I expect they're the same quality as other Chinese made but at least they're retailed by a welding outfit who gave sensible answers to my questions.

I went for the 200A model for around £65 all in.

MMA 200 INVERTER WELDER DC ROD ARC ELECTRODE STICK WELDING KIT 200A

STATIC ARC WELDING SUPPLIES, MIG TIG MMA ARC WELDERS FILLER RODS ELECTRODES WIRE TUNGSTEN CONSUMABLES MB15 MASK HELMET GLOVES CLAMPS TORCH 14AK PLASMA CUTTER PT31 GAS REGULATOR GASLESS FLUX WIRE FEED ROLLER CABLE ANGLE GRINDER BENCH SANDER JIGSAW DRILL POLISHER STEEL FLAT ROUND SQUARE ANGLE BARS...

static-arc.myshopify.com

Get yourself a decent welding mask too. Autodarkening. Ideally true colour IMO.

The "masks" that come with these cheapie arc welders are fit only for the bin.

 

[Barking Mat]

Lidl Parkside is your friend for cheap welders and auto darkening helmets, does what it says on the tin, and when it dies, chuck it back under guarantee, if it lasted three years, go buy another.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[daedalusminos]

Lidl Cambridge had the 80A arc welder at £39.99 and auto darkening at £24.99

 

[TEO]

Lidl Cambridge had the 80A arc welder at £39.99 and auto darkening at £24.99

£24.99!! Still £34.99 in my local Lidl

 

[Rkweld]

I have the static arc 140a and it can do a decent weld, engweld xpert i think its called is a rebranded parweld that were cheaper than the parweld. W i was shopping for a cheap arc welder I considered these:

Parweld143/engweld xpert
Lincoln bester 135
Static arc 140
Rtech 130
Tecarc130

They are all at various price points but not extremely expensive.