10 best welding semiautomatic devices

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Semi-automatic welding machines are capable of providing high quality joining of several metal products into a single whole. Today, these devices are used not only by professionals, but also by home or garage craftsmen. Moreover, even a beginner can successfully use individual welders. The principle of semi-automatic welding is based on a molten arc made of wire in an inert gas environment. A protective atmosphere is required to prevent premature oxidation of the surfaces to be welded. When it is required to join steel parts, semi-automatic carbon dioxide welding is most often chosen. But to connect products made of aluminum alloys, arc welding in an argon atmosphere is used. For different types of work, experts advise choosing a device with a set of certain qualities. First of all, you should pay attention to the following criteria.

Criterias of choice

1. One of the important quantities that characterizes the performance of the welding machine is the maximum current. However, this indicator must be combined with a constant inclusion factor, which is expressed as a percentage. For example, a device with a duty cycle of 60% needs to be switched off more often for cooling than a device with an 80% duty cycle. This fact must be taken into account by professionals when long-term continuous work is required.

2. The power of the semiautomatic welding machine in our country has two sides of the coin. From one point of view, the higher the power, the more efficient the machine. And on the other hand, a more powerful welder is able to withstand large voltage drops, which is often observed in a household network.

3. The polarity reversal function helps you not only use carbon dioxide welding, but also switch to flux cored wire. If in the first case a “plus” is connected to the burner, then for work with doped alkali metals a “minus” is supplied to the burner.

4. In some cases, some additional functions also become useful. For example, the arc welding mode allows joining massive steel structures when the wire does not provide the necessary joint reliability.

Our review includes the best semiautomatic welding machines. When compiling the rating, the following factors were taken into account:

1. multifunctionality;

2. reliability and durability;

3. price;

4. expert opinion;

5. consumer reviews.

Rating of the best welding semiautomatic devices

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best inexpensive semi-automatic welding machines	1	Elitech IS 220P	RUB 25 420
	2	Aurora OVERMAN 160	RUB 20,900
	3	Foxweld Invermig 160 combi	RUB 18,730
	4	Resanta SAIPA-200	RUB 22 170
	5	Interskol ISP-160 / 5.9	RUB 15 100
The best professional welding semiautomatic devices	1	Aurora SPEEDWAY 175	RUB 35 800
	2	Svarog PRO MIG 200 SYNERGY (N229)	RUB 48,560
	3	Fubag INMIG 200 Plus	RUB 28,460
	4	SWAROG MIG 250 Y (J04)	RUB 55,700
	5	Cedar MIG-17 5G D	RUB 33,000

The best inexpensive semi-automatic welding machines

Among budget welding semiautomatic devices, there are several models that differ in reliability and functionality. They are often called semi-professional, and they are used when repairing cars in garages or for domestic purposes. Our experts have selected several interesting models.

Elitech IS 220P

Rating: 4.8

One of the best inexpensive semi-automatic welding machines, according to experts, is the Elitech IS 220P model. The main advantage of the welder is its resistance to voltage drops. At the lower limit of 160 V, the device maintains good performance and low power consumption (up to 5.4 kW). The current strength is 180 A, but with effective cooling the PV is 80%. It is very comfortable to work with wire up to 1 mm thick. Therefore, the device is in high demand among garage craftsmen, for which it became the winner of the rating.

It should be noted that the manufacturer cares about usability. On the inclined panel there are voltage and wire speed regulators. It is comfortable to use the welding semiautomatic device both standing and sitting.

Advantages

• economical consumption of electricity;

• compact size;

• affordable price;

disadvantages

• not detected.

Aurora OVERMAN 160

Rating: 4.7

An excellent semi-automatic inverter type is the Aurora OVERMAN 160 model. The current in this device reaches 160 A, and the turn-on time is 60%. The device can operate in the 187-253 V voltage range, reaching a power of 4 kW. Such qualities as reliability and durability allowed the welder to get to the second line of the rating. Even if you have technical problems, you can get support without too many problems.

The device differs in unpretentiousness, it is not afraid of dusty and small rooms. In the reviews, consumers are flattering about the quality of the weld, but in the event that there are no increased requirements for processing speed.

Advantages

• wide range of welding current;

• high-quality assembly;

• resistance to voltage surges;

disadvantages

• no shielding gas adjustment.

Foxweld Invermig 160 combi

Rating: 4.6

When choosing a budgetary universal welding semiautomatic device, experts drew attention to the Foxweld Invermig 160 combi model. Not a high current strength (160 A) and an impressive PV indicator (60%) helped him get into our rating. These parameters are not always required when working in a garage. Among the advantages, experts note the convenient control of the device; digital control allows precise and quick adjustment. The device is quite economical, when working in MMA mode, it consumes no more than 4.6 kW, setting the regulator to the MIG position, you can hope for energy consumption up to 3.8 kW.

The inverter is not afraid of voltage fluctuations, and the kit includes a heated gearbox. This allows you to work effectively in an unheated garage during the cold season.

Advantages

• convenient control;

• resistance to voltage surges;

• economical work;

disadvantages

• small margin of current strength;

  not developed service network.

Resanta SAIPA-200

Rating: 4.5

The SAIPA-200 model is the most popular among Resanta semiautomatic welding machines. The device has a large current reserve (200 A) at duty cycle up to 70%. The welder does not overheat when working with wire up to 1 mm thick. The strengths cannot be attributed to the affordable price, and negative assessments slip in the reviews. Therefore, the semiautomatic device failed to reach the top three.

The device cannot boast of a wealth of equipment. Many users note a short electrical wire (2 m). Does not paint the manufacturer and confused scales on the instrument panel. Instead of voltage, the regulator adjusts the feed speed. Therefore, you will have to remember these unpleasant nuances during operation.

Advantages

• large current reserve;

• lack of overheating;

• resistance to voltage surges;

disadvantages

• negligent assembly;

• high price.

Interskol ISP-160 / 5.9

Rating: 4.5

Interskol is a widespread brand among welding machines in Russia. The ISP-160 / 5.9 model is very simple and understandable for ordinary consumers. Experts also note the high build quality, which allowed the product to be included in our rating. Ordinary craftsmen note the convenient work with the use of wire of not the best quality. The apparatus is also favorably distinguished by the ease of replacing the coil.

It is very easy to set the current strength on the welder, as well as the wire feed speed. The device copes with voltage drops with dignity, working stably with minimum current indicators. The inverter allows for both semi-automatic and manual arc welding. The power of the device is 5.9 kVA with an on-time of 80% and a current strength of 145 A.

Advantages

• light weight;

• ease of use;

• resistance to voltage drops;

disadvantages

• short power wires;

• mechanical polarity switching.

The best professional welding semiautomatic devices

Professional welding machines are called upon to solve serious problems in production. These semi-automatic machines are characterized by high performance and durability. They can be multifunctional or highly targeted. It all depends on the specifics of production. Several popular models got into our review.

Aurora SPEEDWAY 175

Rating: 4.9

The Aurora SPEEDWAY 175 model is a popular semiautomatic welding machine among professionals. The device allows you to use such popular types of welding as MMA, MIG / MAG, TIG. The current strength is regulated in the range of 10-175 A, and the output voltage is 187-253 V. The power of the unit is limited to 4.8 kW. The welding machine deservedly became the winner of our rating.

Professionals note such positive properties of the model as high efficiency (80%), degree of protection IP23S, low weight (12.8 kg). It is able to operate smoothly in a wide temperature range (-20 … + 50 ° С). For the convenience of the operator, there is a VRD function, thanks to the insulation class F, high safety during work is achieved.

Advantages

• power;

• rich equipment;

• high-quality assembly;

• multifunctionality;

disadvantages

• not detected.

Svarog PRO MIG 200 SYNERGY (N229)

Rating: 4.8

Semi-automatic welding machine Svarog PRO MIG 200 SYNERGY (N229) was highly appreciated by experts. The device took the second line of the rating due to its versatility. Reversal of polarity is done with a rotary knob, the device can operate in MMA mode (with stick electrodes) as well as using an argon torch (TIG DC mode). Professionals are also impressed by the maximum duty cycle (100%) at 160 A.

Another advantage is the Svarog PRO MIG 200 SYNERGY device. This is a smart arc control circuit that changes the welder's operating mode. When working in argon, both two-stroke and four-stroke modes are possible. The manufacturer confirms the high quality of workmanship with a five-year warranty.

Advantages

• flexibility in setting operating modes;

• affordable price;

• compactness;

disadvantages

• there is no welding mode for light alloys.

Fubag INMIG 200 Plus

Rating: 4.7

An example of European quality is the Fubag INMIG 200 Plus semiautomatic welding machine from Germany. Experts consider the combination of simplicity and durability to be the main reason for its popularity among domestic welders. Among classmates, the unit stands out for its high power, but the low PV level (20%) did not allow it to rise above the third place in the rating. The device can operate both in semi-automatic mode with 0.8 mm wire (current 90 A), and in the arc welding version (current 170 A). The device does not overheat during long-term operation.

Professionals also highlight such a feature of the device as mechanical polarity switching. As for the control system, the kit includes a standard power switch, mode switch, amperage and wire speed regulator.

Advantages

• high-quality assembly;

• simple control;

• reliable design;

disadvantages

• high price;

• narrow specialization.

SWAROG MIG 250 Y (J04)

Rating: 4.7

The semi-automatic welding machine SVAROG MIG 250 Y (J04) got into our rating due to its exceptional reliability. Its capabilities were highly appreciated by the Welding Production Certification Committee. The device was included in our rating not only for its high reliability, but also for the powerful current that is generated during the semi-automatic mode (MIG / MAG). With a current strength of 250 A and a voltage of 323-437 V, it is capable of delivering 9.2 kVA (ED 60%). The wire feed speed varies between 2 … 15 m per minute. There are no additional modes in the model, which did not allow to bypass the winners of the rating.

The capabilities of this device can only be appreciated by professional welders. To fully realize the advantages of the device, the operator requires experience and high skills.

Advantages

• reliability;

• high power;

• high-quality assembly;

disadvantages

• high price;

• great weight.

Cedar MIG-17 5G D

Rating: 4.7

The Kedr MIG-17 5G D semiautomatic welding machine looks great in terms of functionality. He can weld metal in a semi-automatic mode, using electrodes or in argon. It is also easy to reorder cables when polarity is reversed. The unit has software control; there is a multifunctional regulator to set the optimal operating mode. This is especially convenient for frequent changes of welding modes. In the semi-automatic mode of operation, professionals appreciate the ability to manually adjust the curvature of the current-voltage characteristic. This allows you to cook with the same success both massive parts and products from thin sheet iron.

The device provides comfortable operation in MMA mode with a current of 175 A. At 60% duty cycle, it will be optimal to use electrodes 2-3 mm thick.

Advantages

• comfortable work;

• no complaints;

• multifunctionality;

disadvantages

• a special way of control.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.