Best Welder for Exhaust Pipe: Excellent and Long-lasting Results
The best welder for exhaust pipes will make any vehicle function properly. The exhaust system does a crucial job by getting rid of the fumes from your running engine. However, these gases can cause the fast wear of your exhaust pipe.
It’s pretty normal for your vehicle to require some maintenance, and the right welding machine will help you finish the job like a pro!
But how can you pick the right welder? Which machine can guarantee excellent and long-lasting results? Keep on reading because you will find the answers in this article.
Quick Comparison Table
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Brand/Model |
Image |
Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Forney Easy Weld 261 |   |  |
| 2. LINCOLN ELECTRIC Easy MIG 180 |   | |
| 3. Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V |   | |
| 4. Forney 318 190-Amp MIG Welder, 230V |   | |
| 5. MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder 120V/240V |   | |
The Best Welder for Exhaust Pipe: Our Top Picks
A well-functioning exhaust system will help your vehicle run smoothly. However, it’s essential not to ignore regular maintenance and address any wear issues before becoming more serious.
An exhaust system guarantees better control of harmful gases and maintains the function of your catalytic converter. It also reduces the temperature and allows for a quieter operation.
This is why choosing the best welder for exhaust pipes should be a top priority when you’re maintaining your car. Here are our top choices.
1. Forney Easy Weld 261
The Forney Easy Weld 261 is a MIG/flux core welder for repair jobs with up to 140A output to weld mild steel up to 1/4 inches of thickness. You can easily control the output using the knob.
Weighing 19 lb, this portable machine can be stored easily. The perfect size and design are ideal for any DIY or repair project.
Despite its compact size, this welder can handle 2 to 10 lb rolls of wire. It has a high duty cycle of 30% at 90 Amp. It uses 0.3 flux core wire for MIG welding, preventing oxidation of the welded part.
Suppose you have no previous experience with welding. In that case, this machine will work for you because the knobs allow you to adjust it easily. In addition, the performance is fast, guaranteeing that your repair job will be finished in less time.
This welding machine can withstand regular use thanks to its rugged all-metal case construction. In addition, the wire speed can be easily controlled using the foot pedal.
It comes with a torch wrap to guarantee better efficiency. Cleaning the spatter might take more time. Nevertheless, it’s a great choice if you’re on a tight budget.
Pros
- MIG welder for repairs, DIY, and hobbies
- Affordable welder
- Lightweight and portable design
- Can handle 2 and 10-pound rolls of wire
- High duty cycle for seamless operation.
Cons
- Takes more time to clean spatter.
2. LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO K2698-1 Easy MIG 180 Wire Feed Welder
Once set up, you can start welding within minutes, thanks to the easy wire feed of this MIG welder. It’s easy to operate and features the diamond arc technology, which produces less spatter, allowing you to use this welder for steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
The cast aluminum wire system prevents the wire from tangling and improves the wire feeding mechanism. The wire feeding speed can be controlled from 50 to 500 IPM.
This welder produces up to 180 Amp of power output to heat any metal, with thickness from 24 gauge to 3/16 inches. In addition, the dial allows you to identify optimized ranges for different wire diameters.
With a duty cycle of 30% at 130A, this welder is an excellent choice for repair jobs, DIY projects, and other small-scale applications. It’s a durable machine that weighs 66 pounds, so it’s not difficult to store. Moreover, it comes with several accessories, including drive rolls made of steel and aluminum, a gas regulator, and a gas hose.
It has limited power, so it can’t be used for heavy-duty tasks. Also, compared to other welders, this one is a bit expensive, given its capabilities.
Pros
- Durable and versatile welder for most repair and small-scale jobs
- Can be used to weld steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
- Wire feeding mechanism can be controlled and prevents the wire from getting tangled
- Comes with different accessories.
Cons
- Limited power
- More expensive than other models with similar features.
3. Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, this welding machine will work for you as you’re able to adjust it for different wires, gases, materials, and thickness levels. The Hobart 190 is an excellent MIG welder for various repair projects and DIY applications. It even comes with a detailed guide to help you get it started.
When you buy it, you’ll receive a lot of extras, including a dual gauge regulator, gas valve, hose, cable and power cord, and a spool adaptor. These accessories justify the rather high price of this unit.
The high welding range of this welder from 24 gauge to 5/16 inches makes it the best choice for most applications. It has an output range between 25 and 190 Amps and a duty cycle of 30% at 130 Amps. In addition, it shortens the time needed to set up your machine, as it comes with three grooves; two for different size solid wire and the third one for flux-cored wire.
You can use this welder to weld steel or aluminum as it has a 7 voltage control system to control the output setting. The system also controls wire feeding speed and improves arc performance. The spool gun is more suitable for welding aluminum, and you don’t need to connect a control box.
The built-in contractor enhances safety, as it keeps the wire cold when not used. Moreover, the machine has a built-in thermal overload protection system. However, if you’re looking for a portable welder, this one won’t work for you as it weighs 78, although you can move it in a cart.
Pros
- Versatile MIG welder with several accessories
- High welding range for welding steel and aluminum
- Output ranges from 25 to 190 Amps with a 30% duty cycle at 130 Amps
- Seven voltage control systems
- Wire feeding speed can be controlled
Cons
- Too heavy to be moved around
4. Forney 318 190-Amp MIG Welder, 230V
This MIG welder features a durable cast aluminum wire drive system, drive roll with an improved de-spooler, and a dual geared idler to enhance feeding and prevent the wire from getting tangled as an upgrade from previous models. In addition, the drive system allows you to achieve a clean and smooth arc, even if you’re welding for the first time.
It comes with a Euro-connect MIG gun and TWECO-style consumables with a fast disconnect to facilitate cleaning the liner when you remove the torch. You can use this welder for flex-core and MIG welding to finish all your projects in the best quality.
This machine can be used to weld metals up to a thickness of 3/8 inches and has a large cabinet to access 4 and 8-inch spools. It has a range of up to 190 Amps for various welding requirements and a duty cycle of 25% at 120 Amps. You can use it to weld mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron.
Choosing between 6 voltage settings for the wire thickness is a big plus. Moreover, there’s a chart to help you choose the right setting if you’re a beginner.
This welder will be an excellent choice for repair jobs, DIY projects, and small to medium-scale applications. In addition, it comes with some excellent accessories like a gas hose, regulator, ground cable and clamp, and a 15-foot power cable.
Since it weighs 63 pounds, this might not be the right welder for you if you’re looking for a portable welder. The low duty cycle can be a problem if you’re working on a large-scale project.
Pros
- Cast aluminum wire drive system to achieve a smooth arc.6 voltage settings to work on various metals
- Large cabinet for easy access
- Euro type connector to save time
- A chart to help select the right settings
Cons
- Not a portable design
- Low duty cycle
5. MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder 120V/240V
With multi-voltage features, this MIG welder produces output ranging from 30 to 230 Amps. The dual voltage feature allows you to use it with household power or in an industrial setting.
It offers a duty cycle of 40% at 150 Amps to weld different materials like stainless steel, steel, and aluminum, with a thickness of up to 3/8 inches. Moreover, it can be used for flux-core welding, so it’s a fantastic choice for all types of repair work, DIY projects, and artwork.
The auto-set element allows you to set the wire width and accordingly control the speed. It also features an inverter to improve the look of your arc. The cast aluminum drive comes with an aligned strain handle for a flawless setup. You can select between 3 scores from 2 different size wires and one cored wire.
This welder features an auto spool to identify whether the MIG or spool firearm is engaged to make your welding process easier. It features an internal fan which allows for more control and keeps the machine in perfect shape. However, with continuous use, the fan is likely to require regular maintenance.
Since it weighs 38 pounds, this is an excellent choice for remote-location projects because it’s portable. Although it costs higher than most devices of the same abilities, users think it’s good value for money because it’s more versatile.
Pros
- Portable dual-voltage welder
- Can be used for MIG and flux-core welding
- Works on different types of metals of various thicknesses
- Auto set to minimize guesswork.
Cons
- More expensive than other models
- The internal fan requires regular maintenance.
How to Weld an Exhaust Pipe
Welding an exhaust pipe is considered to be routine work to maintain the functions of your vehicle’s exhaust system. However, even with little welding experience, being equipped with the right welder and other repair tools will help you finish the job successfully.
Here are the necessary steps to weld your exhaust pipe.
- Accurately identify the point where you’ll cut the pipe. Then, use a chain pipe cutter to cut neatly and a polisher to smooth the edges. It can also be used to remove dirt and rust.
- Use C-clamps to hold the two pieces together before welding.
- Start spot welding to weld the thin metal to prevent warping.
- Fill in the gaps by completing the weld over the spot welds.
You can do these steps using different welding processes, but some of them are better than others. Stick welding isn’t affected by dirt or rust and can be used in all weather conditions. However, it’s not recommended to weld your exhaust pipe because it can cause slag, which leads to leaks.
Flux-core welding is more affordable but requires great precision, especially with thin metal objects like your pipe. Although TIG welding works with metal sheets, you need to carefully clean your surface of all oil, dirt, paint, and rust residues. This is why most beginner and professional welders prefer MIG welding to weld their exhaust pipes.
MIG welding is the most popular technique to restore the condition of your exhaust pipe for the following reasons.
- It’s a versatile system that can weld various metals and alloys.
- It’s faster and better than flux-core and stick welding.
- It doesn’t create slag.
Conclusion and Best Offer
To successfully weld your exhaust pipe, you can consider the Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V.
Best Offer
Thanks to its versatility, this device can be used to weld different types of metals and alloys with great precision.
It features a 7-voltage system for versatility and comes with all the needed accessories to help you get the job done. Despite being a heavyweight unit, most users prefer using this welder because it’s easy to set up and use.
The Alternative
As a good alternative, the MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder is for those looking for a lightweight and portable MIG welder.
MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder 120V/240V
It’s an excellent choice for all welding applications because it can be used in your workshop or remotely. It also offers a dual-voltage operation for more versatility.
