So, you’re planning to get started on your home welding project.
That’s great!
But setting up your home welding workshop will lead you to several questions. One of these askings is “can I run a welder at home?”
This post will answer many questions about home welding safety to avoid tripping a breaker.
To find the best welders for home use, continue reading up to the last section.
Can I Use a Welder at Home?
To use a welding machine at home for the first time, you need to know two important things.
Firstly, the power requirements for the welder.
Secondly, whether your home garage electrical wiring can handle your welding unit safely.
In general, older homes have a 15amp circuit breaker. Some may even have fuses as low as 10amp. On the other hand, 115V or 120V circuits with 20amp breakers are common for the newly constructed household. That means today’s home wiring is designed to handle 20 amps.
The inputted power of your device should not be more than 20 amps otherwise the device won’t work properly. (Inputted power is the combination of amperage and voltage which is also stated in wattage)
Required wattage is the INPUT AMPERAGE DRAW multiplied by the INPUT VOLTAGE.
That means,
Required Wattage= input amp draw x input voltage
20amps x 120 volts= 2400 watts
If your connected machine or device draws more than 20 amps, your household wiring won’t be able to handle this overload. As a result, the breaker will “blow” to prevent any electrical hazard.
So, based on the wiring that you have in your home, you have to select a welder to use at your home. I suggest you make sure your household line provides 120volt and 20 amps of service.
While skilled welders mostly use TIG welders, hobbyists or home welders tend to avoid this type of welding machine. The reason is it requires more time to learn TIG welding than MIG and Stick welding.
Lower voltage welders are perfect to operate in a household outlet. A 120V welder typically can handle most of the household welding tasks. However, some users may need to use a 220V welder at home to weld thicker steel.
Keep in mind that lower power or lower voltage means less heat, but thicker metals need a lot of heat to weld.
If you check the specs on the 120V welder, you’ll find most of the unit operates off 120volt power and draw up to 20 amps.
Therefore, you’ll require a dedicated 120volt circuit to operate a typical 120V welding machine. Most importantly, when you operate your welder, no other items should not be plugged into that circuit that will pull power from the same circuit. If there is anything connected, there is a possibility that your circuit breaker will “blow”.
What’s The Best Welder For Home Use?
So, which welders are best to run on household power?
The following section will help you to find the best welder for home use.
Read along!
#1 Best ARC Welder for Home Use- DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder
Spec & Top Features
- Current range: 10 to 160 amp
- Rated Duty cycle: 40/60 (%)
- No-load voltage: 60V
- Advanced IGBT Inverter Technology
- Reliable and powerful to weld steel, mild steel, aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel and other materials
- Compact design with easy carrying handle for easy transport
- Stable output voltage
- Strong adaptability for electrical network
#2 Best MIG Welder for Home Use- Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder, 120V, Green
Specs & Top Features
- Input: 120-volt input, Output: 140 AMP
- Duty Cycle 30% @ 90A
- Install Wire Spool: 0.030″ (0.8mm) diameter
- Infinite voltage and wire feed speed control
- Up to 140 Amp output to weld mild steel up to 1/4 in plate
- All metal rugged case
#3 Best MIG welder for Beginner- Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
Specs & Top Features
- Weld 24 gauge up to ¼-inch mild steel
- Duty Cycle: 20% @ 90 Amps, 19V
- Amp range: 25 to 140amps
- Input Voltage: 115volts
- Weldable Materials: Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum
- 5-position voltage control selector
- Industry-grade drive system
- 5 year limited warranty
#4 Best Multi-Process Welder for Home Use- Forney Easy Weld 140 MP
Specs & Top Features
- Rated output voltage: 12 to 23V
- Rated output current: 43 to 110A
- Full output current: 10 to 140A
- 3 in 1 Stick Welder, MIG Welder and DC TIG Welder
- Three position switch for easy start
- Infinite voltage and wire feed speed controls
- Backed by a 12-month warranty
- Package include: 8′ electrode holder, 10′ MIG gun, 8′ ground clamp, Integrated handle with torch wrap, 20A – 15A adapter and 1 additional 0.030″ contact tip
#5 Best Tig/Stick Welder for Home Use- PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT
Specs & Top Features
225 amps of AC/DC Tig welding with stick function- Start AMP: 10 to 225 with Pulse
- End AMP: 10 to 225
- Dual (110v and 220v) voltage capability
- GREAT for ALUMINUM, STAINLESS STEEL AND THINNER METALS
- Capable of welding 7018, 6013
- Can weld: 1/4″ aluminum and 3/8″ mild steel
- Advanced Inverter Technology with PWM
- Backed by 3-year warranty
#6 Best Dual Voltage Multi Process Welder- Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter (Mig/Tig/Arc Stick
Specs & Top Features
- Dual Voltage 220V/110V
- Welding Amperage Ranges 115V: MIG: 40-120A; MMA: 40-120A; TIG: 15-120A
- 230V: MIG: 40 to 200A; MMA: 40 to 200A; TIG: 15 to 200A
- Rated Duty Cycle: 30% at 200 Amp
- Welding thickness: 14ga-0.315in
- Overload and VRD high temp protection with indication
- User adjustable inductance settings
#7 Hobart – 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder, Small
Specs & Top Features
- Input Voltage: 110/115/120 V – 220/230/240 V
- Material Thickness: 1/4” to 3/8”
- Dual-groove quick change drive roll
- 7 output voltage settings
- Easy and safe to use
- Dual-gauge regulator with gas hose
#8 Best Welder for Beginners- Welder Arc Welder 160Amp Stick Welder 110v/220v MMA Welding Machine
IGBT Smart Hot Start fits 2.5mm 3.2mm Welding rods
Specs & Top Features
- ARC-160amp DC welding machine
- Voltage: 90V-260V/(50/60HZ)
- Duty cycle: 80%
- Output current: 10A-160A
- Dual Voltage 90V–260V / 110V-220V
- Perfect for welding all kinds of iron and ferrous metals
- Backed by two-year warranty
#9 ZENY Arc Welding Machine DC Inverter Dual Voltage 110/230V IGBT Welder 160 AMP Stick
Specs & Top Features
- Input Current: 115V / 230V / 60Hz Input current
- Output Range: DC: 5 to 160A 115V/230V
- Rated Duty Cycle: 60%
- Welding Thickness: 1 to 15mm
- Dual Voltage 110/230V
- 3 level protection for over-load, over-voltage & over-current
- ETL Listed
FAQs
Is it legal to weld at home?
Yes, it is legal to weld at home garage or workshop as long as it is for yourself as a hobby and won’t be harmful to others. You won’t need any license or permission for such work.
However, if you’re planning to weld for professional purposes, you have to check the local regulations. In that case, you may have a permit.
Do I need extra taxes for welding at home?
As long as you’re a hobbyist and not weld for business or commercial purposes, you don’t need to pay extra taxes for welding at your home.
Is it safe to weld indoor?
Welding in a poorly ventilated area or confined spaces can pose many risks. From gasses and fumes may create fire hazards.
But, if you prepare an indoor space with safety equipment and proper ventilation, you can weld indoor.
I’m Ivan D. Mitchell. I’m the Chief Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Tool and Launch, specialising in automotive equipment design and build which meets World Class Manufacturing methodology. I have 15 years of work experience as a Tooling Specialist on some of the leading automotive manufacturing companies. When I launched this site, I wanted to create a platform where you’ll get everything about tools in one place. I also wanted to share my experience in the tool industry. I’ll do my best to share the information you need to truly make your tool using experience better. I hope you find our guides, reviews, information HELPFUL. If you have any inquiries, I’m always here to help you.