Inverter welders

[The Buddah]

Hello,
Sorry for being dim but what's the difference between a welder and a inverter welder, and of course the question: which is better?


Mike.

 

[shenion]

A traditional welder has a large transformer and little elrctronics. Usally most control is mechanical (sliding core) or simple electrics.

Inverters are basically switching power supplies similar to those used in a PC. They are almost always processor-controlled.

Since they use high-frequency switching, they are more efficient and use very small transformers. Make the lighter and more portable.

As they are "smart" they can have more feature and more control over the arc. They are however more complicated so reliability on cheaper ones is an issue.

 

[The Buddah]

Thank you shenion.

Is it true that you can weld alluminium with tig but not with mig?
I keep reminding people that im a novice and trying to get the right tools so sorry for any questions that may seem so simple.

Mike.

 

[shenion]

You can weld aluminum with MIG but it is not easy on most units. A spool gun helps. I found it takes a lot of fiddling with settings and technique. Once set up it works. Good for production work.

AC TIG can do aluminum, a DC TIG won't do it well.

 

[cumbriasteve]

The majority of people will advise on an inverter rather than a 'buzz box', the common name given to a cheap arc welder that uses rods....but it all depends on what you want and intend to do.

I have a cheap arc welder that is over 30 years old and it has made umpteen trailers, loads of gates and railings and is still going strong...even though it now looks like something that fell from a skip.

So..an inverter is better but for just the occasional work a buzz box is a lot cheaper.

It is however not really any use for car work, mild steel above 2mm only