The 5 Best Welder For Metal Art And Sculptures In 2022?

Crafting metal arts is a creative work that takes both skill and experience in welding methods. But the other thing that plays an important role in this is the welding machine. Unlike regular welding jobs, metal arts can be pretty small projects that join metal pieces of different thicknesses and shapes.

The good news is that metal artworks can be done with only a light-duty welder. But no matter the size and amperage, you still must choose the best one. We made this article to aid you in that. Explore our list of five of the best metal art welders on the market.

Reviews On Best Welders For Metal Arts

1. Hobart 500559 Handler 115V MIG Welder

Our first product on this list is the Hobart 500559 Handler MIG Welder. The welder was built for light-duty jobs like metal arts. It needs a 115V outlet, which is available to most of our home and metal workshops.

Moreover, you can weld even tiny metals of 24 gauges, suitable for small metal workpieces. One can weld metals with a thickness of up to ¼ inches using it. The welder gives you a wide choice of applications, including aluminum, stainless steel, and steel. So, you can start your artwork with any of these metals.

At 90 amps, you get a 20% duty cycle. But you won’t need a high duty cycle for metal arts anyway. You can set the amp within 25 to 140 for any range of metalworks. To help you further on complex metal welding, the product comes with a MIG gun.

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2. PRIMEWELD TIG225X Welder With Flex Torch

With the PRIMEWELD Tig225X Tig/Stick Welder, you can weld any aluminum or stainless-steel pieces with ease. The welder is especially excellent for thinner metals, which is good news for metal art fabricators.

The Superflex Tig torch and hose will make the metal work more effortless. You never know what type of metal artwork you may need to perform. Hence, the welder has a dual voltage of 110/220, letting you work anywhere at any power.

With the 225-amp current, this welder is a more powerful option than the Hobart 500559 Handler MIG Welder. However, the latter is a MIG welder, which is comparatively more necessary for metal artworks. But the former lets you control the heat with a foot pedal, an amazing feature to look for.

You can weld mild steel up to 3/8 inches and aluminum up to ¼ inches. It’s a perfect item to take to your metal art workshop.

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3. Weldpro Digital TIG/Stick Welder with Pulse CK 17 Torch

Another high-quality welder we found suitable for metal art was the Weldpro Digital 200GD Tig/Stick Welder. Its 200 amp maximum output helps you in crafting from smaller to larger workpieces. Combine that with its dual-voltage (110/220V) running capacity, and you get your perfect machine.

As you can perform both Tig and stick welding, no metalwork will be a problem for you anymore. It is possible to weld both aluminum and steel using the device with the right settings. You can even adjust the pulse totally, helping you further in your creativity.

Another quality of life feature is the food pedal heating control. This factor makes it easier to use than the PRIMEWELD TIG225X Tig/Stick Welder. But the latter has a higher amp range. You will also get a 17F torch.

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4. DEKOPRO MMA Welder with Electrode Holder

If you want to have a welder for small to mid-range metal art, the DEKOPRO MMA Welder will meet your need for sure. You can’t go wrong with the 160-amp current output while using the adapter cable. The welder lets you use both 110 and 220 voltage output like some other welders on this list.

It is an MMA welder, something that can come in handy while creating metal arts. But the welder packs a lot more than that. The control panel of the machine has a digital display to indicate the units.

Since metal artworks may need a lot of moving around, the welder is portable and has a handle. While working with the welder, we found out that it minimizes the damage of the iron and copper pieces. You can weld metal pieces of almost any type with it.

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5. Hobart 500572 Handler

The Hobart 500572 Handler 100 is a light-duty welder that can weld steel up to a thickness of 3/16 inches. While working with small metal pieces, you need proper adjustment of everything. This welder lets you do that as you can adjust the right settings for the joints and thickness of the metal.

Since metal works may need quick welds, the wire stays electrically cool till you pull the trigger. Hence, the welder is a safe option for everyone. Not to mention, you can weld both large and small wire rolls for different ranges of metal artworks.

You can adjust the wire tension and thread more wire with ease. This welder gives you complete control over everything, unlike the Hobart 500559 Handler MIG Welder. On the other hand, the latter has a max amp of 140, compared to the 100 amp of Hobart 500572. Both can run on a 115V outlet.

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Buying Guide

Metal art fabrication is not simple, and so isn’t finding the perfect welder for it. You may browse through a lot and still get a lost-cause one. Many people just get hyped up by all those positive ratings and totally ignore the fact that most welders are only excellent for certain tasks. So, you must pay attention to the points below for a high-grade metal art welder.

Required Welding Method for Metal Art

Metal art is a job that does not use any particular metal types. One may use aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, and many other materials. Hence, choosing the welder that can perform the correct welding technique is imperative.

MIG welding is the most popular for metal art because of its clean beads. But TIG is also suitable here. So, you must get a welder that can perform one of these two welding processes (or both) and provide high-quality weld.

Necessary Accessories for Metal Art

You will need to work with utmost patient and time to craft metal arts as a wrong move may damage the thin metals. Having some necessary instruments will help you greatly to achieve a perfect outcome.

Items like MIG gun, torch, wire spool, etc. can be included in a welder package. Do keep in mind that you will need to buy some of them anyway if you don’t get them with the welder. But that will take some extra money.

The Right Voltage

For your information, the outlets we have at our workplace may not be suitable for the welder. There are welding machines with 115V outlet requirements, while others need 230V. Most household outlets are of the former type. The latter is present mostly in industries and factories.

So, you should know the outlet voltages at your metal art workplace and get a compatible welder. There are welders with dual-voltage too, but they are usually expensive. For metal art, high voltage welders are not mandatory. So, you can go with a low-voltage one.

Proper Weight

A lightweight machine is preferred by all. But when it comes to metal art, it gets even more necessary. If you work at your DIY workshop, you may not need to move the welder that much. But people who work far from home may need to carry it around. Thus, they need a lighter welder. Having a comfortable handle on top is always welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Get a 230V or 115V Welder for Metal Arts?

115V welders usually have a lower duty cycle, can weld thinner metals, and is more portable. They are also more affordable. For metal arts, 115V welders are suitable. 230V welders are mostly for heavy-duty metal works. You can also go for a dual-voltage welder.

What Should I Prioritize While Getting a Welder for Metal Art?

For metal art, one of the things you should prioritize the most is whether the machine can weld pretty thin metals. Some welders cannot do that and may damage the workpieces in the process. But, as metal art generally deals with thin and small metal parts, having the ability to join them is mandatory.

Can I Use a Flux Core Welder for Art Metal ?

You indeed can. Even though MIG welders are the most popular option for metal art, flux core is also an ideal choice. But the issue here is that the slags produced by flux core weld on metal art may require much more effort and time to remove.

Final Note

If you do not have much experience in metal arts, it is a mandatory factor to learn different welding techniques beforehand. A good welder for creating metal artworks will have functions to perform various welding methods. And metal arts may need various welding techniques too. So, you should know about them all to bring the full potential of the welder.

This article tried to help you find a top-notch welder for this purpose. But you can still search for one yourself. In that case, go for popular brands as their products are much reliable. Hopefully, you can show off your creative works to everyone.