Planning on fixing that dilapidated car frame? Having the most suitable welding machine can give you the automotive improvement you envision.
So we did the legwork for you and narrowed down the top-rated automotive welders that you can choose from, whether you prefer TIG, MIG, or multi-process welder.
Comparison Table of Car Frame Welders
| Welding Machine | Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder | LOTOS TIG200 Welder | Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V | PRIMEWELD TIG225X | Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder |
| Manufacturer | Forney Industries Inc. | Lotos Technology | Hobart | PRIMEWELD | W Weldpro |
| Item Weight | 19 pounds | 58 pounds | 68 pounds | 90 pounds | 30.4 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 16.7 x 12 x 8.1 inches | 28 x 13 x 17 inches | 12.3 x 10.6 x 19.5 inches | 24 x 19 x 12 inches | 17.72 x 8.66 x 14.96 inches |
| Material | Metal | Aluminum | Metal and Tough Plastic | Steel | Metal |
| Power Source | AC | AC/DC | AC/DC | AC/DC Pulse | AC/DC |
| Voltage | 120V | 240V | 230V | 110V/220V | 230V |
| Amperage | 140A | 200A | 190A | 225A | 200A |
| Duty Cycle | 30% | 80% | 30% at 130A | 40%/100% | 30% at 200A; 100% at 110A |
| Welding Process | MIG Welding | TIG/Stick/Arc Welding | MIG Welding | TIG/Stick Welding | MIG/TIG/Arc/Stick Welding |
| Batteries Required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Batteries Included | No | No | No | No | No |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Welder for Car Frames
When looking for a welder, the top factors you should always focus on are amperage, duty cycle, and voltage.
Knowing the welder amperage helps you determine the power necessary to keep the machine going to complete your project fast and efficiently.
Knowledge of the duty cycle, on the other hand, is a good determinant of how long you can weld per cycle and how much time it needs to cool off within a 10-minute time frame. It acts as the thermal overload precaution of the machine.
The amount of power your machine will need is equally pivotal, so you can identify if you will require a more specialized outlet besides domestic sockets.
But aside from these obvious factors, there are three more essential things that we advise you to keep an eye out for before buying a car frame welder.
Scope of Welding Work
This factor ranks at the top of the list. The reason is simple. You can gauge the amperage and voltage requirements you will need for the project. Identifying the range of work that will go into the project will also help you ascertain whether you need a MIG, TIG, or a multi-processing welder.
Once you have your initial diagnosis, anticipate other possible areas that may pose a problem. Do not undermine the extent of the work to avoid the unnecessary hassle of lacking amperage and voltage capacity.
It may be beneficial if you choose a multi-processing welder instead of buying only a MIG or TIG machine because you will never know when you might need to do other welding processes.
Machine Performance
You are now ready to buy your welding machine. Whether in-store or online, it is a good practice to always inquire about the actual performance of the welder.
Since sheet metal and aluminum constitute a car frame, a relatively high-performing welding machine is what you should pick.
But if your car utilizes heavier steel, then you should opt for a machine operating at 230A.
Workpiece
An aluminum workpiece calls for an aluminum wire. And that in itself is already a problem when welding car frames. These materials are known to be softer than most metals. Thus, they can easily be deformed if you use the wrong welder with incorrect configuration.
This is why a spool gun will come in handy. With a spool gun, you can mount the wire onto the welding gun directly, and reduce the distance of the wire to the gun, so the possibility of deformation decreases.
Best Welder for Car Frames
Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder
Features
· It comes with an 8” MIG gun and 8” ground clamp
· Includes wire speed control
· Voltage up to 120V input
· 140 AMP Output
· Integrated cable wrap
· Good choice for mild steel welding
Forney Easy Weld 261 is a welder without control issues over the machine settings, making it a perfect pick for amateurs learning the basics of welding. All they have to do is configure the voltage and the wire speed, and you can weld away to form your first bead in about 5 minutes.
Pros
· All metal cases can handle 2 and 10-pound rolls of wire
· Easy to set up, use, and transport
· Provides good penetration
· Has consistent power output
· Operates on 110V household outlets
· Includes shield, wire, and gloves
Cons
· Gasless or flux-core welding only
· Short 1-year warranty
· No voltage meter display
LOTOS TIG200 Welder
Features
· Automatic dual voltage/dual frequency (110/220-volt 50/60Hz)
· Precise foot pedal heat control
· Plasma cutter advanced cooling
· Includes power supply, TIG torch, MMA/Stick clamp, foot pedal, argon regulator, 220V/110V converter pigtail, and ground clamp
The LOTOS TIG200 Welder offers a simplistic control on the one front panel for easy identification and access for various welding processes. For one, welders can easily switch from 220V to 110V with the adapter plug and produce AC/DC 200A for TIG and stick welding.
Its dual voltage allows you to smoothly and accurately weld fine aluminum and steel, which comes in handy for repairing car frames. The considerable amount of user-friendly features it provides make the LOTOS welder fit for both beginners and professionals alike.
Pros
· Welds stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, and more
· Can weld 3/8″ (9.5mm) of mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
· 30-day refund policy
· Enable accurate welding of fine aluminum
· Produces minimal slag
· It works fine even on a rusty surface
· Simple machine setup
Cons
· The foot pedal cord is way too long
· Hard to move around because of the weight
Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V
Features
· 10 ft. work cable with clamp
· 7 voltage selections
· Magnetic and infinite wire feed speed control
· Minimal spatter capability
· Three grooves for solid and flux-cored wire
· Heat overload protection system
The Hobart Handler 190 is a versatile welding machine that packs the power and capability to weld aluminum and steel.
It is compatible with automotive work and can weld car frames 24-30 gauge up to 5/6″ thickness. It delivers consistent, clean welds with deep penetration and minimal spatter thanks to the improved arc performance brought by its fine output control.
There is less guessing with Hobart because it is built with simplicity in mind. It is the right pick for seasoned or beginner welders out there, especially if you do not want to be disappointed with quality and performance.
Pros
· Has quick initial settings reference for different wires, gases, materials, and thicknesses
· Suitable for both novice and professional welders
· Thermal overload regulator ensures safety
· Mid-price range
· Welds different types of metals for car repair
· Compatible with flux-cored, mild/stainless steel, and aluminum wire
Cons
· Pricey compared other welders of the same category
· Not suitable for heavy-duty industrial projects
PRIMEWELD TIG225X
Features
· 225A for TIG/Stick welding
· High-frequency start
· Foot pedal heat control
· Hand torch control
· Power width modulation technology
· Up and downslope function
If you dread welding aluminum, PRIMEWELD 225 TIG welder is the inverter-based machine that will change your opinion. It performs exceptionally well and likely better than its specs and ratings would imply.
With its top-of-the-line control compared to other welders in this price category, you get adjustability comparable to welders priced at $1500 to $2500 or higher.
Unless you are in a production environment that would justify the cost of a superior machine, this TIG welder will do very well for your car frame repair project.
Pros
· 3-year warranty and excellent customer service
· Versatile and high-performing on both 110V and 220V
· ISO-9001-certified
· Quite AC arc throughout frequencies and balance
Cons
· Not suitable for MIG welding
· Low portability at 90 pounds
· Ground clamp and wire clamp could be longer
Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder
Features
· 3-year limited warranty
· Dual digital display of amperage, voltage, and more
· High temperature and heat overload indicators
· Intuitive synergic design for voltage and wire-speed
· Inductance adjustment decreases short-circuiting
The Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi-Process Welder has all the features you expect multiprocessor welders to have, only it does everything a little better. It gives the operator a lot of choices with no confusion.
It utilizes a synergic design that automatically adjusts the voltage with the wire speed. This synergy makes it much easier and more ideal for unexpected car frame welding.
Pros
· Welds with lift TIG and stick welding aluminum
· Simple setup and usage requirements
· An exceptional choice for automotive work
Cons
· Produces dirt easily
· Automatic amperage adjustment may put holes in thin materials
Conclusion
And there you have it. You now have a good starting point in your search for car frame welders.
The MIG welders we reviewed here prioritize ease of use for beginners and versatility for seasoned professionals.
Choices for TIG welding will not compromise your car frame, too. The various yet uncomplicated controls of each welder will enable you to weld steadily with optimum results.
If you plan on switching from one welding method to another, the multiprocess welders listed here offer settings that deliver balanced performance without manually adjusting voltage and wire speed.
The number of welders you can use to repair your car frames are exhaustive. But look for one that will provide you high-quality performance that endures and at a price that will not break the bank.
Car Frame Welder FAQs
📌 Can you still weld a rusted car frame?
That will depend on how much rust has accumulated on the car frame. Rust that has already bored holes on the car frame prevents the welding process. A little rust, on the other hand, is a different story.
Some automotive welders can provide you with clean beads despite the presence of rust. But to guarantee your welder does its work better, we recommend you always clean the material before firing up the torch to weld.
📌 What types of equipment should come with my car frame welder?
The equipment you will need for welding car frames does not vary with typical welding. You will only need the basics, such as a welding PPE, ground clamp, and sometimes spool gun.
A plasma cutter and fit-up jigs may come in handy when welding the inside of the car frame.
📌 How long can I run a bead using car frame welders?
The length of time you can continuously weld the car frame depends on the duty cycle of the welding machine. Always check this factor in the product manual, detailing the duty cycle for different heat settings.
