In need of some quick facts that will enable you to select a MIG welder? Then you are in the right place. While MIG welding is the simplest type of welding, choosing a MIG welder can turn out to be a nightmare. MIG welding doesn’t require you to be an experienced welder to operate a MIG welding machine.
You don’t have to look further for a great mig welding machine as we have one that could be right for you. The Eastwood 175 MIG welder is among the best MIG welding machines you find on the market. Continue reading our Eastwood 175 MIG welder review to find out more about this unit and if it is the right welding machine for you.
Things to consider when buying a MIG welder
When choosing a MIG welder there are some factors you need to put into consideration. This will help you choose the best MIG welder for your needs.
Voltage input
The thickness of the material you are going to be working on will determine the voltage input of the welder. Most MIG welders come with dual voltage input either 110 volts or 220 volts. We suggest you consider a machine that has dual voltage input to enable you to work anywhere and on any kind of material thickness.
Wire size and type
MIG welders come with two types of wires. The ER70S-6 used mainly on rusty or dirty metals and the ER70S-3 wire which is all-purpose. Depending on the application you need to choose the wire that will work best for you. The size, on the other hand, is usually determined by the welding machine you go for in regards to what you will use it on.
Duty cycle
The duty cycle is the amount of time that your machine will take running before overheating. Keep in mind the time you will take welding and how urgent your projects will be. A mig welder with a higher Duty cycle offers you more welding time before it overheats. You need to keep this in mind so that you can be able to get more work done.
Portability and weight
A lightweight welding machine is easy to carry around without exhaustion. Furthermore considered the portability of the welder. How convenient is it to carry on with the device? A mig welder with strong handles for easy transportation would be a great choice. Also, some may seem heavy but come equipped with wheels for mobility. Select one that will work best for you.
Safety features
MIG welder must come with safety features to ensure your protection as you operate the device. Such features include auto thermal shut off in case of overload, short circuit protection among others. This can help to reduce the chances of the device getting spoilt and will protect you and your work piece.
User-friendly
Consider a MIG welder that is easy to control regardless of your welding skills. Go for one that comes with a grind control display, easy to understand user manual, a simple comfortable gun among others. These features make the machine an easy-to-use tool for anyone.
Eastwood 175 welder
The Eastwood 175 MIG welder is a high-quality affordable welding machine that comes with a spool gun. It has only one voltage input which is 220 volts with an amperage of 175A. With it, you can work on a number of tasks and you can weld metals like aluminum thanks to the included spool gun and steel.
It also comes with a generous thickness welding capacity of 24 gauge to 5/16″ on steel and 14 gauge to 1/4″ when welding aluminum. The duty cycle of this machine is 30% when at 130A. It has a number of other unique features which are designed to give you a powerful high-performing MIG welder. What is more impressive is the accessories which it comes with. These include.
Spool Gun with 9′ cable (works with a 4 inch wire spool only)
MIG Wire 0.030
Aluminum Wire 0.035
Gas Regulator with hose
8′ Ground Clamp
8′ Gun Cable
If you are in need of an affordable MIG welding machine that also boosts quality than this device is for you. Whether you are a professional, welding enthusiast or even a beginner, working with this device will be very easy. However, if you are looking for a more powerful MIG welder with dual voltage, then this machine might not be the best option for you. Also, it is made in China and if you don’t like Chinese products then you need to look for other options.
Pros
- It is a versatile tool
- It is an affordable unit compared to it’s competitors in the same category.
- The welder comes with a user-friendly design
- It is also durable when you carry out good maintenance
- It comes included with various accessories including a spool gun.
- The welder also comes backed by a 3-year warranty.
Cons
- Comes with only one voltage input
- Some customers found difficulty with the wire size.
- The 3-year Warranty only works if you purchased the unit from Eastwood or a legitimate Eastwood seller.
Eastwood 175 MIG welder features and benefits
Versatile
The welder comes ready to handle different types of welding tasks including welding aluminum and steel. With this capability, you can now work on various welding projects with this tool. That’s not all it can weld aluminum with a 14 gauge to 1/4 inch when you are touched the spool gun. It comes to stainless or mild steel, it can weld up to 24 gauge to 5/16 inch.
Duty cycle and voltage input
The device has only one voltage input of 220 volts. You can use this in your shop or garage to handle different projects. With an extension cord, you can get to bring the wall there closer to the task you are handling. This cord is included therefore, the unit is not limited that you only have to bring the task to it.
The duty cycle, on the other hand, is generous when handling light-duty tasks. It comes with a 30% Duty cycle when at 135 amp. The welding range of 30-175 amp is also good to offer you a powerful tool you will need to handle your projects.
Spool gun
If you deal with Auto Body Works you will need a MIG welder that comes with a spool gun to allow you weld on aluminum. With the increasing number of cars that come with aluminum parts this is very important. The spool gun on this welder is capable of welding 14-gauge to 1/4 inch aluminum metal. You can get to even remove it in case you are working with different metals and attach it back easily without a hassle.
Drive system
The drive system of any MIG welder determines the performance of the tool. The Eastwood 175 MIG welder has a drive system that will offer flawless wire feed which doesn’t involve tangling or slipping of the wire. With this, you get the best welds that don’t require you to go back and do some touch-up on the spots.
Control system
This machine comes with simple control knobs and a reasonable size on and off switch. The output voltage, as well as the amperage, are easily controlled with precision to get the best penetration you may need thanks to the adjustable knobs. You can also adjust the wire feed infinitely to get proper wire feed inside the weld pool. The simple controls are easy to use and a great advantage to beginners learning the basics of welding.
Durability
The device comes with a durable high-quality plastic build. The build is great and you can get use the tool for a couple of years depending on how you get to use it and maintain it.
Warranty
Eastwood offers a three-year warranty on this model. This can guarantee the quality of the unit. However, the Warranty is only guaranteed if you purchase the unit from Eastwood or from a legit seller. Buying from a reseller will not guarantee a three-year warranty.
Weight and portability
It comes weighing 62 pounds which is not too heavy to carry around to different job sites. It is portable as it comes with a handle at the top to allow you to easily carry it around.
Conclusion
The Eastwood 175 MIG welder is a great option if you are looking for an affordable welding machine that is versatile. It is a good welder for beginners and you can also choose to purchase it if you are in need of a backup welder. The special features it comes with will let you handle most of your welding tasks effortlessly.
The only downside of this unit is its warranty and quality. Other than that you get to achieve a lot more with this device. We hope our Eastwood 175 MIG welder review has the information you’re looking for. If it is the right choice for you all you have to do is to invest in it.
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