Are you in the market for a new welder? Purchasing a specialized welder like a gasless MIG welder can help you diversify your metal fabrication equipment. Having such kind of welder at your disposal opens up a whole world of possibilities in terms of metal fabrication. If you wish to work outdoors, a flux core welding machine will be your best friend.
But looking for one can be time-consuming. Why not save yourself from reading endless product reviews? In this article, we list down some of our best picks and answers to your questions about gasless MIG welding or flux core welding.
What Is The Best Gasless MIG Welder?
1. Forney Easy Weld 261
At a glance:
- The Forney Easy Weld 261 can be bought online from Amazon for $246.89
- Able to take in flux core wire with a 0.30-inch diameter
- Rated to have a 140-amp output for handling mild steel
- Capable of working with ¼-inch thick metal plates
- Exhibits a lightweight and portable design for easy handling
What to Love
- Welds ½-inch to 3/16-inch metal plates effortlessly
- Performs up to par with similarly specced welders from better-known brands
- Great value for the price, making it perfect for beginner fabricators
What to Dislike
- Wire feed rate can be slow compared to its rivals in the market
- Exerts little to no tension in the wire feed mechanism
- The MIG gun has signs of poor build quality
2. Etosha MIG 160
At a glance:
- The Etosha MIG 160 can be bought online from Amazon for $162.99
- Comes in a 140-amp variant with a cheaper price tag
- Able to be fed with flux core wire with 0.8 to 0.9mm diameter
- Comes with an IP21 protection rating and a set of safety features
- Comes with a large radiator that works with the built-in advanced cooling system
What to Love
- It lets you carry it to the field with only one hand
- Works great with thin sheets of metal, producing a clean and neat weld pool
- Offers a cost-effective solution for metal fabricators who want a secondary welder
What to Dislike
- Some customers report having received faulty units that won't work at all
- Wire feed speed may be too quick for the rated amperage, resulting in wasted welding wire
- Several customers received packages with incomplete inclusions (e.g., missing gloves)
3. Simder MIG 140G
At a glance:
- The Simder MIG 140G can be bought online from Amazon for $159.00
- Comes with a synergic mode for automatic voltage regulation
- Can be used with 110-volt and 220-volt power sources
- Designed as a dual-process welder: MMA and gasless MIG
- Works with 0.30-inch and 0.35-inch flux cored wire
What to Love
- Can do more than one welding process: stick welding and gasless MIG welding
- Allows greater flexibility thanks to its dual-voltage design
- Produces consistent and predictable welds with acceptable quality
What to Dislike
- The measurement reading from the gauge may be a little off
- Some customers say they received a 160-amp variant of the same welder
- Instruction manual provides no help
4. Yeswelder MIG-205DS
At a glance:
- The Yeswelder MIG-205DS can be bought online from Amazon for $399.99
- Equipped with an advanced IGBT inverter
- Has automatic voltage regulation
- Multi-process welder: gasless MIG, lift TIG welding, and ARC welding (stick welding)
- Designed with a whole suite of protection features
What to Love
- You get three welders (stick welder, MIG welding machine, lift TIG welder) for the price of one
- Comes with a digital display for easy readouts
- Covered by a responsive and helpful customer service team
What to Dislike
- A few customers received seemingly refurbished units
- Does not fit a 2-pound roll of flux cored wire
- Some units bear quality control issues (e.g., faulty rear inert gas connection)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Weld Aluminium With A Gasless MIG Welder?
Yes, both gas and gasless MIG welders (like the Draper gas/gasless MIG welder) can weld aluminum. However, the welds that gasless MIG welding (with aluminum) produces will be less secure compared to those made by a gas welder.
Is Gasless MIG Welding Any Good?
The answer depends on what you want to use the welder for. If you plan on using a welder for quick repairs out in the field, welding with a gasless MIG welder is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
Our best picks for welders for gasless welding consist of candidates from different price brackets. For instance, the most expensive option on our list is a jack-of-all-trades welder. Meanwhile, the cheapest one is a single-process yet very reliable gasless welder. Take your pick among any of these options. While you are at it, complement your purchase with safety gear and other welding accessories to protect you from welding-related injuries!
