Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-Process Welders

Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-Process Welders

Multi-process welders are really powerful tools that use the latest technology to ensure that all types of welding tasks can be carried out with ease. However, they are ideal or useful only for people who tend to work on metal projects quite often or those who want to be associated with metal working professionally. Here are some of the advantages that a multi-process welder can offer to a metalworking enthusiast or professional.

Versatility: The first and most important advantage of owning multi-process welding is the versatility that it offers. Before taking up a project or task, you wouldn’t have to think whether you would be able to complete it or not. Irrespective of the welding process that the project may require, you would be able to do it without any worry at all. Being equipped with Stick, MIG, TIG and sometimes, even plasma cutting facilities, multi-process welders are what any DIY enthusiast or professional metalworker would look for in a welder.

Convenience: Since a single welder will be able to perform all types of welding processes, you wouldn’t need to switch between different machines when you require different types of welding in a single project. This will be greatly convenient to you and you will be able to work on all types of projects with ease. Not only that, the best multi-process welder will come with easy to use controls and settings that are loved by all beginners and professionals.

Space-Saving: Having a multi-process welder means that you can easily do away with the other welders that you may have. This will surely help you save some space that was earlier occupied by the bulky welding machines that you had. This is great for DIY enthusiasts as well as professionals who may not have enough storage space in their shed/garage/workshop. You can also easily port single equipment and be relieved of having to port two or three different welders when you may need to carry out the welding at different places around the house.

Price: Multi-process welders are, in general, more expensive than the single process welders. However, that is compensated by the fact that you have to pay for only welder and not two or three of them. It must, however, be remembered that paying the extra price is worthwhile only if you would use all the different types of welding processes for your work.

Along with the advantages that one can get with a multi-function welder, the disadvantages must also be taken into account before a purchase is made. Though there are no major downsides of a multi-function welder, here are a few points that need consideration

Weight: Multi-function welders are usually on the heavier side as compared to other types of welders. In fact, some welders weight more than 85 lbs. which is quite heavy. This may not seem to be a problem to those who work at industrial sites or at their own workshops at a professional level. However, for DIYers, the weight might pose a problem as the welder may have to be carried from one place to another. Also, in workshops and industrial sites, the welder may need repositioning to be able to work at different desired angles. Heavier models may require some extra effort.

Efficiency: Multi-process welders are capable of performing different types of welding. But it has been often seen that many multi-function units are good at one welding process while they offer average performance with the other welding processes. This means that you may have to compromise with the quality of some welds. However, the issue is often quite negligible and can be overlooked, unless you are looking for extremely fine finishing.

Settings: To be able to switch between two welding processes, you will have to set up the welder according. You may have to change the gas, plug-in some items that are necessary for the process and unplug those that aren’t necessary. This setup process will need some time, every time you have to switch between welding processes as the process isn’t automatic.

Power Source: A common problem that you may face with certain multi-function units is that they do not come equipped AC TIG welding. This may pose to be a problem in case of certain units if a DC power source isn’t available or suitable.