The LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder with Free Spool Gun is currently the best welder for aluminum.
I am a welder with outstanding experience and knowledge of the best welders for aluminum.
Welding an aluminum alloy requires skill and a good welder to achieve the best result.
This article will guide you on getting the best aluminum welder.
Let’s get started.
Overall Best
LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder with Free Spool Gun
- It offers a high-speed MIG spool gun for aluminum welding.It operates on a standard 200-240V, dual frequency 50/60Hz.You can easily connect it to your existing 220V wall outlet and complete the setup quickly within 10 minutes.
Best TIG Welder
- It has a unique air channel design that increases the heat dissipation of the power device.You can use it in both semi-automatic and automatic versions of welding.It comes with additional TIG accessories.
Best Beginner MIG Welder for Aluminum
LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO K2697-1 Easy MIG 140 Wire Feed Welder
- It comes with a Magnum PRO 100SG Spool Gun (K3269-1).It offers intuitive push-and-turn digital controls that make setup a breeze.It is lightweight and portable–just 40 lbs.
Quick Overview of the 9 Best Welders for Aluminum
1. LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder with Free Spool Gun (Overall Best Welder for Aluminum)
2. YESWELDER TIG-250P 250 Amp AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder with Pulse, Digital Inverter Tig/Stick 220V Welding Machine (Best TIG Welder for Aluminum)
3. Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP Multi-Process Welder Aluminum One-Pak – K4195-1 (Best Multi-Process Welder for Aluminum)
4. LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO K2697-1 Easy MIG 140 Wire Feed Welder (Best Beginner MIG Welder for Aluminum)
5. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V (Best Heavy-Duty Welder for Aluminum)
6. PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with Pulse CK17 Flex Torch and Cable (Best Price TIG Welder for Aluminum)
7. SUNGOLDPOWER 200Amp MIG MAG ARC MMA Stick DC Welder (Best Tough Cut Welder for Aluminum)
8. AHP AlphaTIG 203Xi 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110/220v (Best Beginners TIG Welder for Aluminum)
9. YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder,200Amp 110/220V Dual Voltage, Gas Gasless MIG Welding Machine (Best Spot Welder For Aluminum)
Everything You Need to Know About the Top 9 Best Welders for Aluminum
Here are the top 9 Best Welders for Aluminum and everything you should know about them:
1. LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder with Free Spool Gun
Brand
LOTOS.
Durability
It has an effective transformer technology that is reliable and durable.
Maintenance
Frequently checking your cables is just as crucial for safety as maintaining this equipment.
Amperage
It uses more than 175 amps.
Duty Cycle
20% @175A.
30% @135A.
Size
18 x 12.5 x 10.5 inches.
Weight
85 pounds.
This LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder has high-quality parts like a hose, argon regulator, spool gun, and others. Such is usually a rarity.
The MIG175 can effortlessly connect to an existing 220V wall outlet within 10 minutes.
The wire feed is very consistent and leads to cleaner results. Also, it produces perfect passes with plenty of penetration. Such makes it very effective for aluminum.
It comes with a 30 days refund policy and a three years limited warranty. It also has a 1-year replacement warranty.
Brand
YESWELDER.
Durability
It has a unique air channel design that increases the heat dissipation of the power device, thereby significantly improving longevity and reliability.
Maintenance
Inspect the gas hoses and fittings and make sure they are always secure.
Amperage
It uses about 250 Amps.
Duty Cycle
25% @ 200A.
Size
19.25 x 16.5 x 12.75 inches.
Weight
34.9 pounds.
This YESWELDER TIG-250P 250 Amp AC/DC Aluminum TIG Welder comes with an IGBT technology that makes it easy to control the amperage. Such prevents the obliteration of aluminum.
The welder comes with consumables and other attachments that make it easy to use right out of the box.
This welder provides great-quality welds for everyone, including amateurs.
The machine’s lightweight design and ergonomic handle make it exceptionally portable. Such makes it the best solution for field applications.
It allows for excellent arc stability, whether the material is aluminum or other materials.
3. Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP Multi-Process Welder Aluminum One-Pak – K4195-1
Brand
Lincoln Electric.
Durability
The push-and-turn digital controls and color display screen make setup and operation intuitive and easy.
Maintenance
It would be best if you formed the habit of cleaning your liner whenever you change your wire spool.
Amperage
It produces about 200 amps for MIG welding.
Duty Cycle
It has a duty cycle of 25%.
Size
29.02 x 10.51 x 5.98 inches.
Weight
11.97 pounds.
This Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP Multi-Process Welder is an excellent choice for contractors and at-home welders.
The welder has an onboard computer that makes it easy to get the settings in spec, and you can dial them in to fine-tune. Such makes it easier to adjust settings for materials like aluminum.
This welder is entirely user-friendly, even for users who are not familiar with how to MIG weld aluminum.
4. LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO K2697-1 Easy MIG 140 Wire Feed Welder
Brand
Lincoln Electric.
Durability
This welder has a strong anti-electricity fluctuation and high energy storage ability to stabilize output current.
Maintenance
Always dust it after use.
Amperage
It uses more than 140 amps.
Duty Cycle
It has a duty cycle of 20%.
Size
20 x 15 x 16 inches.
Weight
62 pounds.
The LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO K2697-1 Easy MIG 140 Wire Feed Welder is a user-friendly welder with an excellent setup. Such makes it easy to use right after unpacking.
It also offers an HF start and an on-demand fan that protects the machine and materials from contamination.
This welder can weld aluminum and other specialty metals.
This welding machine offers an easy-to-use interface. Such lets you choose the thickness range and material for the best response.
Yet, some users complain about quality control issues with this welder.
5. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
Brand
Hobart Welding Products.
Durability
It is built with an industrial cast aluminum drive system and a heavy-duty work clamp.
Maintenance
Always inspect the drive rolls and check the tension.
Amperage
It uses between 25-140 amps.
Duty Cycle
It uses a 20% duty cycle @ 90 Amps.
Size
19 x 11 x 13 inches.
Weight
57 pounds.
The Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V has a max power output of 140 amps. Such makes it a perfect choice for 24 gauge thin metals and metals up to ¼ inches in thickness.
It comes with a ground clamp, a 10-foot MIG gun, and all other needed equipment for welding.
The welder has the company’s trademarked Quick Select drive roll. Such contains two different grooves for Solid MIG wire and one groove for flux core wire.
This welding machine is lightweight and portable. Such makes it highly mobile.
This welder has five voltage settings, allowing you to set it to suit the metal thickness you are welding. Such makes it a good choice for welding aluminum.
The only major downside is that you cannot use this welder with a generator.
6. PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with Pulse CK17 Flex Torch and Cable
Brand
PrimeWeld.
Durability
Using IGBT technology, it offers Advanced Inverter Technology with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).
Maintenance
Cover the welder when you are not using it.
Amperage
It uses about 225 amps.
Duty Cycle
It has a 60% Duty Cycle.
Size
24 x 19 x 12 inches.
Weight
90 pounds.
The PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder, comes with CK Worldwide 17 Series Superflex TIG Torch with Flex Head. It also has accessories, a selector switch for TIG/stick, 2T/4T, and AC/DC polarity change option.
This welding machine is versatile. You can use it for different welding projects, such as:
- Metal fenceMetal furnitureWater tanksVehicle bodies
This PRIMEWELD TIG225X is one of the best TIG welders for value for beginners, hobbyists, and small fabricators.
You can use it for welding aluminum and get quality welds.
With this machine, PrimeWeld offers seven days per week of support and a three-year warranty.
7. SUNGOLDPOWER 200Amp MIG MAG ARC MMA Stick DC Welder
Brand
SUNGOLDPOWER.
Durability
It comes with a Multifunction MIG/MMA/ARC IGBT Technology.
Maintenance
Sometimes do apply grease to different parts of your welding equipment.
Amperage
50-200 amps.
Duty Cycle
It has a 60% duty cycle.
Size
19.6 x 9.4 x 14.9 inches.
Weight
33 pounds.
The SUNGOLDPOWER 200Amp MIG MAG ARC MMA Stick DC Welder is another MIG welder built for the DIYer, with a relatively low price.
This welding machine has the benefit of being a dual-voltage welder so that you do not have to scramble to find a suitable power source.
The control panel design is fundamental, with three knob controls for:
- AmpsVoltage, and Wire feed speed.
A significant downside is that it does not come prepackaged with accessories like a spool gun designed for use with aluminum.
You will have to make additional purchases to optimize the machine for welding aluminum.
8. AHP AlphaTIG 203Xi 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110/220v
Brand
AHP Welding Systems.
Durability
It has unit features HF start tig and includes a foot pedal for great tig welding control and operation.
Maintenance
Have a routine servicing schedule.
Amperage
It uses more than 200 amps.
Duty Cycle
It also has a 60% duty cycle.
Size
19 x 23 x 12 inches.
Weight
69 pounds.
This AHP AlphaTIG 203Xi 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder has the required amperage to do your aluminum welding smoothly and without any issues.
This welder has Advanced Inverter Technology with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Using IGBT technology. Such helps the arc form at once, and you can start welding.
This welding machine contains a starter that doesn’t need your touch when you want to start welding. Such also provides a high frequency.
The welder comes with a three years warranty.
Some users report a lack of comfort in the pedal.
9. YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder,200Amp 110/220V Dual Voltage, Gas Gasless MIG Welding Machine
Brand
YESWELDER.
Durability
It has an IGBT Inverter Technology that provides high power in a light and compact unit.
Maintenance
Frequently take off the covers of the welder and blow filled air into the welder’s units. Such will remove all dust and debris from the essential parts of the welding machine.
Amperage
It uses 30-205 amps (max).
Duty Cycle
60% @200A.
100% @154A.
Size
20.1 x 15.6 x 13.2 inches.
Weight
35 pounds.
The YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder is a dual-voltage welder with an adapter for pulling 110V or 220V.
The gun is connected to the welder via a euro connector.
This MIG-205 DS has a fully-metal wire drive system. Such gives the welder an advantage over many of its competitors regarding sturdiness and durability.
This welding machine also has some unique features on the control panel. Such includes a “gas checker” that easily adjusts the shielding gas flow.
Buyer’s Guide: Things You Need to Know When Shopping For The Best Welders For Aluminum
Below are some essential factors you need to consider before buying a welder for aluminum:
Aluminum Properties
It would be best if you considered the fact that there are different kinds of aluminum, and it is essential to know the type you are using.
Aluminum comes in two separate categories and different classes and grades. Each alloy has labeled names with four numbers with a decimal isolating the third and fourth.
The first should be a number from one to eight; the remaining will indicate resistance, corrosion, and finishing traits.
Your Preferred Type of Welding
MIG, TIG, and Torch welding are the best three kinds of welding for aluminum.
MIG welding
MIG welding is suitable for aluminum.
When selecting the best MIG welder, you should conclude whether you will use spray arc welding or pulse welding.
Spray arc welding requires a constant current and voltage machine. Pulse welding requires an inverter supply of power.
When selecting a shielding gas, consider 100% argon which is the best option for a MIG welder for aluminum.
MIG welding is best for thin aluminum sheets.
TIG welding
It is rampant to see welders welding aluminum with TIG welding. Such is because aluminum requires plenty of heat to be properly welded.
You can use TIG welding for thin aluminum plates and thick, thin aluminum sheeting.
You need to know how to weld aluminum effectively with the help of a TIG machine.
Torch welding
Experienced welders would choose this option because they can regulate the heat they apply to the work piece.
But if you are not an experienced welder, it’ll be best to pick the first two options. Because a burn-through is much more likely when doing torch welding. You will need a dexterous welder to do it well.
Your Budget
Depending on your budget, you can go for a cheap TIG machine that costs $500 or a middle-level TIG machine that can cost $1000.
Also, you may decide to go for moderately high-end branded TIG machines (that cost about $2500 or more).
However, a cheap TIG machine may not last long.
The Weight of the Machine
The weight of your welding machine is a critical factor to consider. Such becomes even more important if you use it in more than one place (like a workshop or home).
The Duty Cycle of the Machine
Such refers to the time you can continuously use your welder without overheating it.
If the welder has a 30% duty cycle at 200 amperes, it implies that you can weld for 3 minutes continuously and then let the machine cool for 7 minutes.
It is essential to evaluate your needs before making a decision.
Conclusion
The summary of this review is that the LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder with Free Spool Gun is our top pick for the best welders for aluminum.
However, if you prefer a TIG welder for aluminum, then the YESWELDER TIG-250P 250 Amp AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder with Pulse, Digital Inverter Tig/Stick 220V Welding Machine is your best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you weld a rusty Aluminum?
Yes, you can. Without any surface cleaning, stick welding with 6010 and 6011 rods on pure rusted metal is a good option.u003cbru003eBut if you grind and clean the surface, then a MIG welder will do a much better job and give you a more aesthetically pleasing weld.u003cbru003eAfter welding, check the weld for any porosity and shortcomings.
Do you need to preheat the aluminum before welding?
Generally, preheating isn’t the best option to weld aluminum alloys.u003cbru003eBut if you must preheat, then the temperature should not exceed 200 degrees F maximum. This kind of preheat is often helpful in driving off moisture and condensation.
How long does an Aluminum welding machine last?
A good aluminum welding machine could last 15-20 years.
