This review covers some of the best 140A welders for home or small commercial shops. It includes a few quite expensive multi-process welders for MIG, TIG, and Stick welding, as well as more affordable MIG welders.
The best welders for home use need not be all that expensive, but they are not exactly heavy-duty machines. Though the Forney, Hobart, and Lincoln Electric welding machines in this review are sufficient, in terms of quality, for a light-duty professional environment, like a small autobody shop.
Generally, the 140A welders in this review are great for beginners in that they are easy to use and don’t require much skill or experience to get started. Furthermore, a 140A welder can usually be plugged into a standard 120V outlet which is a substantial benefit for home use.
Since a 140A welder is not that powerful, there are some questions that many folks want answered before considering a welder of this size.
Is a 140A Welder any Good?
A 140A welder is ideal for most home projects and for professional welders who don’t need to weld particularly thick pieces and don’t require a particularly industrious duty cycle.
Because 140A welding machines are relatively compact and lightweight, farmers find them to be very convenient. If you intend moving your welder around a lot, a smaller, more portable machine is preferable.
Even if you’re considering a light-duty welder for home use, look for good quality. Industrial-grade welders can be prohibitively expensive for the DIYer but that doesn’t mean you should settle for junk. Buying known brands with a good reputation always pay off in the long run.
To this end, all the 140A welders in this review have made the grade in terms of quality and reliability.
What Thickness Metal can MIG 140A Welder Weld?
Technically, you can weld really thick metal with a 140A MIG welder if you have the skill to do so. It will require several passes, and a good degree of patience, if you plan on welding ½-inch thickness or more with a 140A MIG welder.
Manufacturer specs usually refer to the maximum thickness you can weld in a single pass. You can realistically expect a 140A MIG welder to handle about ¼” steel in a single pass.
Transformer vs Inverter Welders
There was a time when all welders used a transformer to produce the arc needed for fusing metal. Since the advent of the IGBT inverter, things have changed. We now have options. While I prefer the virtually indestructible durability of a quality transformer, I’m hesitant to say which is better, transformer or inverter.
A transformer is low-tech. Essentially, it’s a large coil of copper wire. This means there is nothing to go wrong and basically no maintenance is required. As long as there is enough oil to prevent the transformer from overheating, it will keep on working for a very long time without any costly repairs.
The downside to a transformer is the weight of all that copper. These machines aren’t the best as far as portability goes. Transformers are also not as efficient as inverters. You will need a circuit with a larger breaker if you’re using a transformer welder and most portable generators can’t handle the current required for a large transformer.
IGBT inverters are quite sophisticated, utilizing capacitors and transistors to produce an arc. They are lightweight and can be powered by a portable generator, thanks to improved energy efficiency. However, inverters are not as robust as transformers. They can be quite expensive to repair when the need arises.
Because of the sophisticated technology involved, it is imperative to only buy a quality product. Cheap inverter welders will inevitably be a huge disappointment down the road. Stick to known brands that have a reputation for quality and after-sales service.
Best 140A Welder Review
I’ve selected six models that I can recommend as being amongst the best 140A welders. The first two welding machines are multi-process welders, meaning that you can do different types of welding with these models – MIG, TIG, and stick welding. Because of this versatility, multi-process welders are more expensive.
I’ve also included four more affordable 140A MIG welders. These are usually the most popular with home users. You can achieve good results welding steel up to ¼” in thickness, without much experience.
Forney Easy Weld 140 MP
Specs & Features:
- Multi-process: MIG/TIG/Stick/flux core.
- I20V input 30A breaker recommended (min. 20A).
- Output: 10 – 140A 12 – 23V
- IGBT Inverter.
- Duty cycle: MIG – 30% @ 90A; TIG – 30% @ 110A; stick – 30% @ 80A.
- Single pass material thickness: MIG – ¼”; TIG – ³⁄₁₆”; stick – ¹⁄₈”.
- Drive rolls: 0.023” and 0.30” wire.
- Wire feed speed: 79 – 197 IPM, infinite speed dial.
- Weight: 20.3 LBS.
- Warranty: 1 year.
Review:
Considering that this is one of the more expensive 140A welders in this review, I’m going to be judging it more harshly than the cheapies. After all, when you’re paying top dollar, you expect more than what the mediocrity has to offer.
I can wholly commend the build quality. The Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is not exactly in the same league as their industrial welding machines but is definitely more robust than most others in the home welder class.
While I’m mostly impressed with this Forney model, I would have preferred the welding guns to be more heavy-duty, considering the price. That being said, they are better than the cheaper Forney 140 model and most other cheap 140A welders.
In general, the quality is excellent. The wire spool mechanism, capable of accommodating a 10 LBS spool, is made from high-grade aluminum. The overall feeling of high-quality metal components abounds. Despite the rugged nature of this beast, it’s delightfully portable at a snippet over 20 pounds. The low weight is thanks to the inverter, which is what makes these welders so awesome.
The Forney Easy Weld range is aptly named, as these are easy-to-use welders, designed with the beginner in mind. On the front panel, you have only two dials, both with infinite settings for wire feed speed and output amps.
While this is an excellent light-duty welder for MIG, TIG, and stick welding, it does not support a spool gun. You can’t weld aluminum with the Forney Easy Weld 140 MP. It’s great for steel and stainless steel if you don’t mind the rather average duty cycle. Again, this is perfectly acceptable for a more affordable welding machine, but at around $600, I expected better performance. For MIG welding, you can work for about 3 minutes out of every 10. Okay for a DIY welder, but not outstanding.
Even though the Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is a fairly pricey 140A multi-process welder, it is certainly worth considering. I get the distinct feeling that the guys at Forney decided to focus on higher quality and cutting some of the expense of cool features and extra gizmos. For example, you don’t even get the usual complementary wire with this model.
All things considered; the Forney Easy Weld is a good quality machine from a brand that I trust implicitly.
Lincoln Electric LE31MP
Specs & Features:
- Multi-process: MIG, DC TIG, Flux core, and stick.
- 120V input, MIN 20A circuit breaker
- Output: 30 – 140A (MIG); 10 – 120A (TIG); 25 – 90A (stick).
- Duty cycle: MIG – 60% @ 95A; TIG – 60% @ 115A; stick – 60% @ 80A.
- Single pass material thickness: Steel – ³⁄₁₆” (MIG); ⁵⁄₁₆” (flux core); ³⁄₁₆” (stick); ¹̷₈” (TIG). Aluminum – ³⁄₁₆” with an optional spool gun.
- Wire feed speed: MIG – 40 to 500 IPM, flux core – 40 to 400 IPM.
- Weight: 34.5 LBS.
- Warranty: 3 years.
Review:
Of the less expensive, reputable multi-process welders, the Lincoln Electric Company LE31MP is my favorite. This is a transformer welding machine that, whilst somewhat heavy, is virtually indestructible. At 34½-pounds, it’s quite a bit heavier than the Forney inverter model reviewed above but still reasonably portable.
Another reason why I’d choose the Lincoln multi-process welder over its Forney competitor is the much-improved duty cycle. You can work for about twice as long with the Lincoln before you have to wait for the machine to cool down. The 60% duty cycle at 95A for MIG welding makes this a more competitive welder for a professional shop where productivity is paramount.
I’m tremendously impressed with the quality of this welder, as I am with just about all Lincoln Electric Company products. Even though this is a retail welding machine, and certainly not intended for the heavy-duty commercial market, it is unequivocally a cut above the average welder for home shops. The aluminum wire feed system is a clear indication of the more industrial pedigree.
The Magnum Pro 100L gun is pretty tough and wonderfully easy to use with a 10 Ft cord and high-quality copper connectors. The work clamp, also with a 10 Ft cord, is about as good as one can hope for in this class of DIY welders. While you get quite a lot of extra goodies with your purchase, the Lincoln LE31MP does not include a TIG torch or foot pedal. You also don’t get a spool gun for aluminum welding. However, this model has inputs for all of these accessories which are available as optional extras.
The Lincoln Electric LE31MP is one of the easiest welders to use. Two dials allow you to set the wire feed speed and output amps with ease. You also don’t need any tools to change the polarity, this is done with the flick of a switch. The LE31MP is a great machine for the uninitiated, novice welder.
I’m suitably impressed with the weld quality and have read plenty of reviews to substantiate this point of view. The forgiving arc helps you achieve a wonderfully clean weld, even if you don’t have much experience.
For anyone in the market for a versatile, multi-process 140A welder, the Lincoln Electric Company LE31MP is a machine worthy of consideration. While not in the cheapest price range, it is one of the more affordable multi-process 140A welders for home. The brand has earned the respect of all who know their stuff and you get a 3-year warranty from a trusted brand.
Klutch MIG 140i
Specs & Features
- MIG and flux core (FCAW) welding processes
- Input 120V; 20A.
- Output 30 to 140A.
- Duty cycle: 30% @ 90A.
- Single pass material thickness: Steel – ³⁄₁₆”; aluminum – ¹̷₈” with an optional spool gun.
- Weight: 19 LBS.
- Warranty: 3 years.
Review:
The Klutch MIG 140i is an entry-level model from the Northern Tool brand. As a limited distribution retail brand, Klutch welders don’t have the enviable reputation that is associated with the others in this review. They are, however, pretty noteworthy machines and people seem to love them.
As the cheapest 140A MIG welder in this review, and one of the cheapest all around if you exclude the unknown brand junk, the Klutch MIG 140i is a remarkable bargain. In saying this, I have to reiterate that this is most certainly a domestic-grade welding machine and displays some signs of cheapness in its overall quality. That is to be expected at this price. Nonetheless, I believe it is worth recommending as the best 140A MIG welder if you’re on a tight budget.
For a DIY home welder, the general quality is okay, definitely a lot better than most cheap welders. The integrated MIG and ground cords are, as is so often the case with this grade of machine, on the short side – 6½ Ft. Unlike more expensive machines, you can’t disconnect the ground clamp cord and replace it with better quality equipment. This is one of the irritating quirks of so many cheap retail welding machines.
For the rest, the Klutch MIG 140i has won me over in that it is incredibly good value for money. For a cheap welder, the 30% duty cycle at 90A is mighty impressive. Some of the really cheap MIG welders only achieve a 10% duty cycle.
As an inverter welder, the Klutch MIG 140i is delightfully portable at only 19 pounds. It has fantastically easy-to-use controls. Wire speed and power output are set using two dials. Although the MIG gun is clearly not a heavy-duty item, it produces a good weld without any difficulty. An ideal MIG welder for the beginner.
Despite the great price, you have the backing of an established retailer when buying the Klutch MIG 140i welding machine. Along with a 3-year warranty, this definitely offers tremendous peace of mind. Buying cheap welders can be met with some apprehension, at least this one has a fair deal of reputability behind the brand.
Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-i
Specs & Features:
- Flux core (FCAW) welding only.
- Input: 120V; 20A – recommended breaker – 30A.
- Output: Max – 140A.
- IGBT inverter.
- Duty cycle: 30% @ 90A.
- Single pass material thickness: ¼” steel.
- Weight: 19 LBS.
- Warranty: 1 year.
Review:
For a Forney welding machine, the 140 FC-I is remarkably cheap. It bears all the hallmarks of high quality that we generally associate with the brand. Albeit a domestic, hobbyist welder, the Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-I is mighty robust. The strong metal enclosure has the enhanced durability of rubber protection on the corners. This attention to detail and quality-oriented approach is apparent throughout.
You should be aware that the Forney Easy Weld 140 FC-I does not accommodate a gas connection and is, therefore, not a fully capable MIG welder. You can only use flux core wire. I guess most DIY welders prefer the simplicity of flux core (FCAW) welding. So why add the extra expense and complication of a MIG setup for those who will never use it?
The FCAW gun and ground clamp are, in the realm of home welders, of a high-quality standard. Ergo, not heavy-duty but not utter trash either. Definitely on the upper scale of DIY welder quality standards. The duty cycle is also about as good as it gets in the welder for home category – 30% at 90A.
There is no option for a spool gun, so it’s not good for aluminum welding but is great for welding steel up to ¼”. Obviously, more accomplished guys can weld much thicker material with several passes.
This is an inverter welder, making it blissfully lightweight, at only 19 pounds. Being a welding machine designed specifically for beginners and hobbyists, the Forney Easy Weld 140 FC-i is uncomplicated and easy to use with two dials, giving you infinite control settings for wire speed and output power.
When Forney set out to make one of the best DIY or home shop welders, they pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one. The Easy Weld 140 FC-I is a relatively inexpensive FCAW welder with a good quality IGBT inverter producing an easily managed arc, even for the novice welder. I have enormous respect for the brand and have no reservations recommending this model as one of the best 140A Flux core welding machines.
Hobart Handler 140
Specs & Features:
- MIG and flux core welding.
- Input: 110V/115V/120V.
- Output: 25 – 140A.
- Duty cycle: 20% @ 90A.
- Single pass material thickness: ¼” steel.
- Wire feed speed: 40 – 700 IPM.
- Weight: 57 LBS.
- Warranty: 3 years.
Review:
The Hobart Handler series is practically an institution in the DIY/hobbyist welder arena. For many years, the never-say-die rugged nature of this beast has won over the hearts and minds of metalwork enthusiasts everywhere. Perhaps the old-school tough engineering is a little lost on a newer generation seeking a more refined, lightweight machine with better efficiency.
The Hobart Handler 140 has certainly proven itself as an enduringly reliable MIG welder for home and small commercial shops. It is a simple, no-nonsense welder that is built to last. It is also a pretty unsophisticated brute with a heavy transformer, making this one of the heaviest 140A welders at 57 pounds.
It is also not the most efficient, with a 20% duty cycle at 90A. The controls are incredibly simple and easy to use. Output voltage is controlled by a 5-pot dial, and it has an infinite wire speed control dial. The MIG gun is one of the best for a home welder and the integrated ground clamp is also good for this caliber of machine. The 10 Ft cords for the HR-100 gun and ground clamp are a definite bonus over the short cords supplied with so many other cheap retail welding machines.
Another sign that the Hobart Handler 140 is not a modern machine is the absence of a reverse polarity switch. You have to go the old-fashioned route when changing from MIG to FCAW welding, manually reconfiguring the connections. It also doesn’t offer the option of a spool gun, making aluminum welding pretty much a no-go.
When you pit the pros against the cons, the Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder is an attractive deal if you rate indestructibility high on your list of priorities. Sure, this is a heavy transformer welder without any fancy modern gadgets. On the other hand, its pure simplicity and proven technology make the Handler 140 one of the most durable DIY home welders on the market. The brand has an impeccable reputation, and the 3-year Hobart warranty is truly excellent.
Lincoln Electric K2697 Easy MIG 140
Specs & Features:
- MIG and flux core welding.
- Input: 110/115/120V.
- Output: 30 – 140A.
- Duty cycle: 20% @ 90A.
- Single pass material thickness: ³⁄₁₆” steel.
- Wire feed speed: 50 – 500 IPM.
- Weight: 50 LBS.
- Warranty: 3 years.
Review:
The Lincoln Easy MIG 140 (K2697) is as close as it gets to being a direct competitor to the Hobart Handler 140 (reviewed above). These are both fairly basic home welders from well-known brands that mostly manufacture industrial-grade welding equipment. The differences between the Hobart Handler 140 and Lincoln Easy MIG 140 are so insignificant that choosing between them will probably come down to an individual preference for the brand.
The Lincoln Easy MIG 140 is, like its Hobart counterpart, a transformer welder but is slightly lighter at 50 pounds. The duty cycle is also the same, 20% @ 90A. While the specified material thickness is ³⁄₁₆”, it really does the same job as the Handler 140 with about the same degree of finesse.
The Lincoln Easy MIG 140 will be more suitable if you intend welding aluminum as this model can accommodate a spool gun which is sold separately. The wire feed speed range is not quite as versatile as the Handler 140 but I doubt this will be of much consequence for most users.
As one would expect from the brand, quality is great, with a pretty durable MIG gun and ground clamp supplied with the machine. User functions are, as the model name suggests, easy as pie. A 4-tap power dial allows for the most common output amp settings, and you have an infinite wire feed speed dial.
Like its Hobart competitor, the Lincoln Easy MIG 140 is a slightly outdated transformer welder with very basic functions. It is also one of the toughest in its class and the Lincoln brand is recognized as one of the best with a 3-year warranty on this model.
Related Articles
