5 Best Welder For Pipe Fence Are Doing Wonders At Job
Pipe fencing is always better than installing a wood fence. It is strong and holds the ground firmly compared to the wooden structures. And most importantly, pipe fencing is low maintenance.
However, a pipe fence requires a rigid welding job so that the connection between each pipe is durable. But expecting to weld pipes with unqualified tools is nothing but a waste of time, money, and energy.
So what is the best welder for pipe fences? To answer this question, we have researched several welding machines and picked five welders to make your welding pipe fence job more accessible, better, and fun.
Best Welder For Pipe Fence Reviews
After researching a few popular tools, these are the five best welders for pipe fences:
#1. Miller 211 MIG Welder
The Miller 211 MIG Welder is not just about welding pipe fences, but you can use it for various projects. So whether you’re a hobbyist, professional, or just beginner, this welder serves you in every way.
It’s a “1-Phase” welder and allows you to weld three essential metals, including aluminum, stainless steel, and steel.
Miller 211 comes with a volts direct current (VDC) technology for electronic stability. Therefore, the tool runs flawlessly at a given electrical input of 115 amperes @ 19.8 VDC and 150 amperes @ 21.5 VDC.
On the other hand, if the electric supply is exactly 240V, the duty cycle of 211 MIG welder remains 40%. At the same time, this tool has a 20% duty cycle @ 120V. Also, the welder can weld 24 gauge mild steel and 18 gauge aluminum up to 3/8 inches.
Moreover, the wire diameter of Miller 211 ranges from 0.024 inches – 0.035 inches for solid steel. Likewise, the wire diameter for stainless steel ranges from 0.024 inches to 0.047 inches (1.2mm). And for solid and stainless steel, you can expand the wire diameter from 0.02 inches (0.6mm) to 0.035 inches (0.9mm). Lastly, the wire diameter ranges between 0.03 inches (0.8mm) to 0.044 inches (1.14mm) for flux core welding.
Here are some more features of the Miller 211 MIG welder:
- Advanced Auto-Set with five different gas/wire combinations
- Dual voltage plug and automatic selection of spool gun
- Includes Inverter Technology
- It comes with the latest drive system (Angled cast aluminum)
- Smooth-Start function
- Fan-On-Demand cooling system
It has a dual input voltage system, permitting you to run the machine at 110V/115V/120V/220V/230V and 240V.
#2. Hobart Handler 190
The Hobart 190 welder is one of the simplest devices you can get for your pipe fencing project. It is easy to set up, allowing the new kids on the block to relish some solid and mesmerizing results. So, if you’re a new user, don’t worry about all the complex options you may find in other welders.
Hobart Handler 190 works on 230V only. Therefore, you cannot run this welder on any lesser electric supply. Also, it is wise to use a 30 amperes circuit breaker for better protection if the voltage trips.
With this welder, you can weld all the ordinary metals, such as steel and aluminum. Moreover, the Hobart Handler 190 lets you weld 24 gauge metals with a maximum thickness of 5/16 inches. And it gives pretty impressive beads and a smooth arc.
Hobart Handle 190’s wire drive consists of a triple groove for best flux-cored and solid welding with all the above features. That means you can run this welder with 0.030 inches to 0.045 inches fluxed-core wire diameter and 0.023 inches to 0.035 inches solid wire diameter.
Hobart Handler 190 offers a lot of other features, such as:
- 30% duty cycle @ 130A
- Automatic electricity cut off to protect the motor from burning due to overload
- Cold wire functionality to secure the user from making unexpected arcs as the device starts
- Built-in thermal trip to save welder from overheating
The Hobart Handler 190 is a transformer-based welding machine. So the mechanism and current control depend on a single large transformer, whereas experienced welders prefer inverter welding machines.
#3. HZXVOGEN HBM2280
If you’re looking for an affordable welding machine for pipe fencing that includes modern technology and features, then HZXVOGEN HBM2280 could be an intelligent decision.
From various authentic sources and real user reviews, we researched that the HBM2280 is a fast welding machine with advanced features. The welder is super easy to use despite a smart controlling system for beginners and advanced-level users.
With HZXVOGEN, you can choose a welding mode according to your metal. So, for example, if you’re welding aluminum or steel pipes, all you need is to select the material from the device, pick the thickness level, and start welding.
So when you are using this machine on the MIG and TIG functions mixed with gas, you can weld materials up to 0.25 inches (6.4mm). On the other hand, you can weld up to 0.31 inches or 5/16 inches (8.0mm) materials on MMA welding.
And here are more traits of HBM2280 we liked:
- Simple spinning and pressing buttons on the front panel
- It is a modern device with Advanced IGBT technology and a smart chip
- The device has a large and high-quality capacitor
The HBM2280 has an LCD display, allowing you to set up welding modes without a hitch.
#4. Miller Maxstar 150 STL
The Maxstar 150 STL is another powerful welder for pipe fencing. This equipment is loaded with the “Auto Line Power Management Technology,” giving you the freedom to “plug and start” the device within 150 to 230 volts.
That means you don’t have to connect any manual tool to control the electric fluctuation. So if your workplace has an unstable power supply, feel free to rely on this machine. This welder tends to overcome unreliable electric supply without damaging the mechanism.
However, if your power supply is out of the range, such as more than 230volts, we suggest another Miller Maxstar model, such as Miller Maxstar 150 S. Why? Because that model (150 S) comes with a 120V to 240V dual voltage range.
Another feature that we liked while studying Maxstar 150 STL is that all main controls are available on the front panel.
For instance, an LED “Ready Light” is more than an indication that the device is turned on. So, if it illuminates after two seconds when the unit is started, it means either the welding machine is positioned on Stick welding mode or Lift-Arc. Similarly, if this LED light is turned on after enabling the output, it indicates that the unit is set to TIG welding.
And then there’s another LED light called “High-Temperature Light” on the front panel, indicating that the machine is overheated. This helps you immediately turn off the unit to cool it down and resume your work again. And in case the light begins to flash, it represents a fault due to overheating, and a professional technician must examine the tool.
We got a few other features of Miller Maxstar 150 S for you, such as:
- CB1 overload protection
- Control for amperage adjustment
- Process selection switch to choose the welding mode
- Stick welding at 115V has a 100% duty cycle @ 70 amperes
- TIG welding at 115V has a duty cycle of 100% @ 100 amperes
- Stick, and TIG welding at 230V both have a 100% duty cycle @ 100 amperes
You can easily switch between 115V and 230v through the MVP plug.
#5. Eastwood TIG 200 Digital
The Eastwood TIG 200 is made for professionals. You can expect high-quality welds on three popular metals, including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
This device has a very catchy digital display, giving it a different style and appearance from the welding machines on our list. Moreover, the settings of this machine are straightforward.
The machine has five built-in welding presets and the option to include 15 more customized settings for your ease. Besides, it is an AC/DC welding tool with Arc Force, and Hot Start controls for excellent results.
Its duty cycle is fixed 25% @ 200 amperes with a single 240V input voltage and can weld up to 1/4 inches thick metals.
That means, every 10 minutes, you can weld the pipe fence for 2 minutes and 30 seconds and then make the welder rest for at least 7 minutes and 30 seconds to cool the device. And in case you exceed the welding time, the welder automatically turns off to save the components from overheating.
Once the welder has the satisfying temperature, its output is automatically turned on, so you can start working again.
The TIG 200 Digital by Eastwood has more traits, like:
- Adjustable gas flow meter
- Frequency control for AC for better performance
- Continuous electric supply due to the addition of Nema 6-50 plug
- Flex Head 17 adjustable torch to reach complex places without struggling
Eastwood TIG 200 comes with a MIX function feature, which means you can use both TIG and Stick welding together to penetrate thick metals.
FAQ’s Of Welding Pipe Fence
Q1. Can you MIG weld pipe fence?
Yes, you can MIG weld a pipe fence. But it depends on the material. If the pipe fence is made of steel, you can use a MIG welding machine to do the job.
On the other hand, if you are trying to weld a galvanized pipe fence with a MIG machine, the answer is no.
You can’t weld galvanized materials because it leaves zinc fumes on the surface, and MIG welding can’t remove them during the process.
Q2. Can you weld galvanized pipe fence?
The best option is the flux core welding mode for galvanized pipe fences. Contrarily, we don’t recommend you to use MIG or TIG welding as they won’t work due to the zinc fumes coating on the pipes.
And in case you want to try, you will need to remove the coating, which is not suggested either because it’s a toxic material. Nevertheless, if you desire to eliminate the zinc coating, you must have proper safety equipment because it is hazardous to health.
Q3. What kind of welder do you use for steel pipe fences?
MIG welding works on steel pipe fences. However, experts believe that manual arc welding machines are more suitable for such projects.
Final Thoughts
Despite the benefits, features, pros, and cons of each of the above welders, here are quick notes for all the models on this list.
The best welder for pipe fences should be budget-friendly and has lots of easy options. But because there are so many models and companies trying to sell their products, it is hard to buy the right one.
So, if you want an inexpensive welder for welding pipe fences, we think, through our research, that HZXVOGEN HBM2280 is a superb option. The HBM2280 can weld most metal types and have a dual voltage system.
If money is no problem, choosing the Miller 150 STL or Miller 211 is great. But, we find Eastwood TIG 200 Digital welder and Hobart Handler 190 expensive due to single voltage and fewer valuable features than the others.
