Category: Home Improvement

How to Choose an Environmentally Friendly Electric Lawn Mower

Mike Leave a comment

Lawn mowers account for five percent of the total air pollution in America.

There’s been a shift in American consumers towards looking for ways to make easy and small changes to their households, to support a more sustainable way of living.

Luckily, many companies have adjusted to this change, and are now offering many more environmentally friendly products than ever before. Switching to an electric lawn mower is a simple way to make a big difference when it comes to your carbon footprint.

Here’s what you need to know about choosing an electric lawn mower.

What Makes Lawn Mowers Bad for the Environment?

Unfortunately, like most traditional machinery, the staple gas-powered lawn mower has a harmful impact on the environment, and the health of those operating it. Lawn mowers produce as many hazardous pollutants as driving a vehicle for 350 miles!

It’s clear that gas lawn mowers aren’t a viable option for a growing population and a changing climate. These household machines have become as old-fashioned as white picket fences, suspenders and poodle skirts.

Why You Shouldn’t Choose a Classic Reel Lawn Mower

When you start your search for environmentally-friendly lawn mowers, reel lawn mowers will likely be an option. Reel mowers are a man-powered option that some environmentalist turn to. They’re old fashioned and require nothing more than human power to operate.

Reel lawn mowers are quiet, and ultimately the “best” option for the planet, they aren’t the most practical in the 21st century. Reel mowers require a lot of manpower to operate. They are definitely a decent workout, but if you’re not looking to sweat, or you have any health problems a reel mower likely won’t be a good option.

Reel mowers also don’t allow you to bag your clippings. While some come with a basket to catch clippings, they don’t work very well. Reel mowers also only work well in small yards that are even and geometric in nature. Their structure doesn’t allow for any heavy-duty work.

Choosing An Electric Lawn Mower

An electric mower is the most efficient type of lawn mower for people and the environment today. First, you can start an electric lawn mower by simply pushing a button. There’s no pull-cord and sensitive engine you’ll have to deal with. Electric mowers are also more lightweight and quieter than gas mowers.

Electric lawn mowers come with a cord you plug in, or with a chargeable battery. Corded lawnmowers obviously have a limited amount of space they can work in. Corded lawn mower users also have to be careful not to run over the cord with the lawn mower.

Battery operated lawn mowers are easier to navigate. However, you’re ultimately working on a timer. But really, that’s their only downfall. They require much less maintenance than a gas lawn mower, over time they cost less money, they’re much easier on the environment and ultimately more enjoyable to operate.

Key Features To Look for In An Electric Mower

Ready to make the switch to an electric lawn mower? Like any lawn mower, there are a handful of key features to look for when shopping around. The biggest feature to consider is how the machine manages grass clippings.

Most electric mowers come with either a side or rear collection bag. While both options work, rear bags won’t get in the way like a side bag will. Mulching blades and decks are other features that make collecting clippings easier.

Another important feature with battery-powered electric mowers to looks for is the quality of the battery. Check the charge and run-time of the battery packs. You’ll also want to check the power of the battery and to consider the type of terrain you’ll be cutting.

The Top-Rated Lawn Mowers Right Now

While there are many different electric mower options to choose from when it comes to electric mowers, there are a handful of brands and models that are consistently ranked as being the best.

First, Dewalt’s 20-Volt Cordless lawn mower is the electric mower of choice for households who use many different Dewalt products, since their batteries work interchangeably in all Dewalt products. This cordless mower also offers a mulching feature, a strong motor, and a long battery life.

The EGO Power mower is another high-performance electric mower that, according to the manufacturer, produces 30 percent less noise than a traditional gas lawn mower. This machine is equipped with LED headlights, a 600-watt high-torque magnetic motor, and an ithium-ion battery.

Another across-the-board, highly rated electric mower is the Greenworks 12-Amp corded mower. This is a budget mower that comes with some top-tier benefits. It can cut almost four inches of grass.

Making Home Maintenance Eco-Friendly

When it comes to switching to an electric lawn mower, upfront costs can seem like “too much” for people to make the switch. However, when you account for the long term savings, it ends up being a more cost-effective choice than a gas-powered lawn mower.

While relying on electricity powered by coal to charge your lawn mower, appliances and home for that matter isn’t good for the environment. It’s better than directly relying on fossil fuels. So using an electric mower ultimately does minimize emissions. Maybe someday electricity from renewable, clean sources will be easily available to everyone.

If you’re ready to start shopping for an electric mower and home goods in general. Check out the guides on OnlyTopReviews. We bring you home, garden, health and beauty guides, product reviews, and comparison tables that make sense. Our mission is to make our readers’ lives easier by helping you make a purchasing decision that you won’t have to regret.

cleaning wooden terrace with high pressure washer

Electric Vs. Gas: Which Pressure Washer is the Best?

Mike

How often do you find yourself needing a pressure washer to clean up after a BBQ grill party? Are you looking for the best patio pressure washer to clean your backyard with after a storm? Having trouble choosing between a gas-powered and electric-powered pressure washer?

cleaning wooden terrace with high pressure washer

Choosing between the two kinds of pressure washers can be a challenge. There is no doubt you want to invest in one that will last and best fit your lifestyle.

Below, we’ve got a guide on how to choose between the two to get the one that best fits your home.

1. Consider the Type You Need

The two types of pressure washers on the market are those powered by gas or electricity. Each one has its strong and weak points. There are things that one or the other can’t do.

An electric pressure washer can remove light stains and dirt from concrete. They’re the best for small jobs like smaller decks, outdoor furniture, and narrower patios. These electric washers also need little upkeep, make little noise, and create no exhaust emissions.

The problem with them is that even the strongest electric pressure washer may not have enough power to wash away heavy stains. It doesn’t need winterizing but it has less sturdy nozzles and wands. Also, its hoses and power cords tend to be shorter, making the cleaning area limited as well.

With the right accessories, you can use your typical gas pressure washer as a wet sandblaster. You can also convert it to run either a water broom or even a mechanical sweeper. It’s great for large areas like decks and driveways.

The cons with gas-powered pressure cleaners include that they are noisy and heavy. They also need regular tune-ups, winterizing, and outside storage. Being more powerful means they have more risks to ruin outdoor furniture or cause injury.

2. What Features Are You Looking For?

When you look at the type, consider two things: pressure and water flow rate. Do you want something that cleans faster due to the higher pressure and flow rates? Do you want something that you can start up and shut down as soon as you want it to?

Yet, that’s not all you need to think about when you’re shopping for the best pressure washer. Consider your storage space before buying a gas-powered one. Do you only have enough for a smaller, lighter electric pressure washer?

Are you thinking of storing your pressure washer inside the house or in a shed? Do you feel that having to buy gas is a hassle? Would you rather choose the convenience of an electric pressure washer?

Gas-powered pressure washers are sturdier and have more power. They get the job done fast but need to use gas, which means you can’t store them inside the house. For more convenience but sacrificed time and power, get an electric pressure washer.

3. Usage and Pressure Rating

When you know what to look for in a pressure washer, you’ll know what kind you want. There are categories for pressure washers depending on max pressure rating. These are entry-level cleaners, mid-level washers, and heavy-duty cleaners.

At most, entry-level pressure washers reach 100 bars of pressure. They can come as either gas-powered or electric since both can belt out this much power. You’d use entry-level cleaners on garden furniture or bikes.

Mid-level pressure cleaners reach up to 120 bars of pressure. You could clean fences, patios, and cars with these cleaners. For badly-stained paving or mud-coated trucks, you want to use heavy-duty pressure cleaners.

Using pressure washers save water better than using garden hoses. The increased pressure offers more efficient cleaning and cuts down on water consumption. Your 8 gallons per minute water consumption from a garden hose gets reduced to 5 gallons per minute.

4. Know the Risks, Do’s, and Don’ts

Everyone knows how dangerous pressure washers are with their high-pressure sprays. Always remember to clear the area of hazards and debris before you use your pressure washer. Make sure to follow usage and storage instructions on the manufacturer’s manual.

Did you know that it isn’t safe to keep petrol-powered pressure cleaners in the house? Gasoline-powered pressure washers can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This is why you need to first consider how you will store it before you get one.

Electric pressure washers aren’t any less safe either. Before you use it in the garden, make sure that you check the plug and socket for burn marks, buzzing sounds, or high temperatures. Contact an electrician if a fuse blows or circuit-breakers trip.

5. Buying a Patio Pressure Washer vs Garden Furniture Pressure Cleaners

The differences between most pressure washers lie in their pressure and flow rates. Another thing that distinguishes one from another is power and convenience. When choosing a new patio pressure washer, consider these factors.

Patio pressure washers are gas-powered cleaners. As stated above, they are better fitted to heavy-duty cleaning tasks. They also have higher pressure readings but they cost a whole lot more to use.

Domestic cleaning tasks for the backyard will need only an electric pressure washer. Their lower flow rate and pressure won’t be able to clean a muddy truck. Yet, they are easier to maneuver, can be more compact, and/or have features like LCD displays.

Get the Best Washer Today!

That’s it for our guide on which type of patio pressure washer is the best. At the end of the day, it all boils down to your needs and preferences. Consider our list and take time to list down the important features, safety measures, and conveniences so you can narrow down the choices that fit within your budget.

But why stop here?

Feel free to visit our blog page for more guides like this. We’ve got other guides on home improvement, patio living, DIY projects and health articles.

Best snow blowers

Your Guide To Picking a Snow Blower (Winter of 2019)

Mike 1 Comment

Best snow blowers

Looking for the best snow blower for your needs?

First thing you’ll want to think about is the power source. These are the three main types:

  1. Gas powered snow blowers. They usually come with a 125-250cc engine. They’re really powerful and offer great mobility.
  2. Electric corded snow throwers. Most work off the normal 110V household outlet. They’re quite powerful but not as mobile as you’ll need to use an extension cord.
  3. Battery powered snow blowers. Not as big as the others but do offer great mobility.

Best gas snow blowers

Gas snow blowers are the most powerful and have no problem chewing through fresh, compressed and even wet snow.

Couple of things you’ll want to consider when buying a gas-powered snow thrower for you home use:

  1. Clearing path width or how wide of a walkway or runway will it allow you to clear in one go. It ranges from 21-30 inches depending on the model. A few inches might not matter you think but it you have a large area to clear then the few inches add up.
  2. Engine. Bigger engine = more power and usually less hassle.
  3. Starter. Does it come with an electric starter?
  4. Budget. The bigger you go with the engine and width, the more you pay. There’s one model in our table, though, that we’ve labelled “Best Value”. This is the 24-inch model that offers great value for the price, especially when compared to other models of the same size.
  5. Brand. You’ll want to go with a quality brand name like Husqvarna or Briggs & Stratton. There are a couple of no-names too but these machines have low ratings and bad customer reviews so you’ll want to keep away from these models.
ImageTitleEngineWidthPriceRatingReviews
Top rated
Husqvarna ST224P - 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Electric Start with Power Steering Snowthrower - 961930122		208cc24"949.994.439
#1 bestseller
Husqvarna ST224 - 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Electric Start Snowthrower - 961930096		208cc24"864.004.379
Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Dual-Stage Snow Thrower with 250cc Engine and Electric Start250cc27"890.014.351
Best Value
Briggs and Stratton 1696614 Dual-Stage Snow Thrower with 208cc Engine and Electric Start		208cc24"639.994.342
Yard Machines 208cc OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered 26-Inch Two-Stage Snow Thrower With Electric Start208cc26"917.914.113
Husqvarna 961930097 254cc 2-Stage Electric Start Snow Thrower, 27-Inch254cc27"999.954.064
Most powerful
Husqvarna ST230P - 30-Inch 291cc Two Stage Electric Start with Power Steering Snowthrower - 961930101		291cc30"1199.953.251

Best cordless battery snow blowers

Battery powered snow blowers are great for light to medium snow falls. They are not as powerful as gas blowers but do offer better mobility than electric corded models and there’s no hassle with extension cords. They cost about double what the electric corded models cost but 2-3 times less than the gas powered snow blowers.

You can expect about 30-45 minutes of work time on a single charge, depending on the battery, snow thickness, and the temperature. It takes about 2 hours to charge the battery.

ImageTitleWidthPriceRatingReviews
#1 bestseller
Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Brushless Snow Blower with Rechargeable Ecosharp 40-volt Lithium-Ion...		18"299.993.8468
Top rated
GreenWorks Pro 2600602 80V 12-Inch Cordless Snow Shovel, 2Ah Battery and Charger Included		12"289.994.36
Snow Joe iON13SS 40-volt Cordless Snow Shovel with Rechargeable Ecosharp Lithium-ion Battery, 13-Inch13"199.993.792
Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO 21-Inch Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower w/ Rechargeable 40-V 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery21"383.833.791
GreenWorks 26272 G-MAX 40V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower, 4Ah Battery and Charger Included20"299.993.673
GreenWorks Pro 80V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower, 2Ah Battery   Charger Included20"370.593.5149
Snow Joe iON24SB-XR 80V Max 5.0 Ah Cordless Self-Propelled Two-Stage 3-Speed + Reverse Digital Drive Snow Blower24"799.003.233

Best electric corded snow blowers

Electric snow blowers are 3-5 times less expensive than the gas snow blowers. They are lighter weight and smaller too so you might have a bit of trouble when chewing through compressed snow. They have no problems whatsoever displacing fresh snow, though.

You are somewhat limited in terms of how far you can take the blower because you’ll need an extension cord, and the machines don’t come with one but you probably already have a suitable extension cord in your household.

These are the top rated electric snow blowers:

ImageTitleWidthPriceRatingReviews
Top Rated
New Model
GreenWorks 2600502 13 Amp 20-Inch Corded Snow Thrower		20"167.274.3271
Snow Joe Ultra SJ620 18-Inch 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Thrower18"155.674.1636
Snow Joe Ultra SJ624E 21-Inch 14-Amp Electric Snow Thrower21"179.004.154
GreenWorks 26022 10 Amp 16-Inch Corded Snow Shovel16"99.993.8351
WORX WG650 18-Inch 13 Amp Electric Snow Thrower18"194.993.8235
GreenWorks 26012 8 Amp 12-Inch Corded Snow Thrower12"94.053.7136
hobart-500559-at-work

Best MIG Welders in 2020: 110v and 220v.

Mike 13 Comments

No one particular MIG welding machine is perfect for every job so it’s hard to pick a definite winner. Yet, over the years (this guide was first published in 2014) we’ve seen that some machines and manufacturers stand the test of time.

There are a few key things to pay attention to when choosing a MIG welder and once you get those right, you’ll be well on your way. We aim to answer those questions for you in this guide.

Best Beginner 110V MIG WelderMost Popular MIG WelderBest 220V MIG WelderBest Dual Voltage MIG WelderGreat Value MIG Welder
Top Rated


Forney Easy Weld 261		#1 Bestseller


Hobart Handler 140		230V


Hobart Handler 190		115V/230V


Hobart Handler 210 MVP		Great Value


Lincoln Electric K2185-1
$229.00 $299.00$499.99 $599.99$661.98 $899.00$829.99 $925.00$349.99 $534.70
Welds 24 ga - 1/4 inch steelWelds 24 ga - 1/4 inch steel
Welds 24 ga - 5/16 inch steelWelds 24 ga - 3/8 inch steelWelds 24 ga - 1/8 inch steel
MIG Welder reviews

How to pick the right Welding machine for your needs? Let’s look at some of the machines more suitable for home use as well as some of the more serious equipment. Use the comparison tables below along with the expert MIG welder reviews and you’re ahead of 95% of people picking their first welder.

In this Guide:

We’re constantly improving this document. To date, we’ve looked and compared top rated MIG Welding machines from brands like Hobart, Millermatic, Longevity, Lotos, Lincoln Electric, Hot Max Torches and Eastwood. Check out the comparison table where you’ll see all the top mig welding machines, its model, main features, price and what it looks like. You can click on the link in the Reviews column to read Mig Welder Reviews from previous purchasers of that particular model.

Today, MIG is the most common industrial welding method. MIG is preferred for its versatility, speed and the relative ease of adapting the process to robotic automation.

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding or Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is a type of welding method in which an electrical arc forms between a consumable wire electrode and the workpiece metal or metals. The metal arc heats the metals, causing them to melt and join together.

Originally developed in the forties for welding aluminum and alternative non-ferrous materials, GMAW was soon applied to steels because it provided faster welding time compared to alternative welding processes.

Best 110V MIG Welders

If you have no plans of ever getting 230V run into your garage then get one of the 110V machines, they’re cheaper and consume less power. They won’t allow you to weld as thick of a metal as the 200V ones but they are more than enough for most DIY welding jobs.

The upside of 110V machines is that they are very portable and can be run from most 110V household outlets. They usually only reach their max rated power if used on a dedicated 20 amp line, so on average they run at a reduced power level.

110V welding machines are suitable for most simple welding jobs that are needed around the house or farm and they’re a great choice as your first welding machine.

Looking for 220V welders? Scroll down or click here to jump to 220V welding machine comparison table and reviews. 

WelderWelder ModelPriceRatingReviews

Top Rated
Forney Easy Weld 261
*Welds 24 ga – 1/4 inch steel
*Great entry level MIG welder		$229.00 $299.004.7Read all 303 reviews
#1 Bestseller
Hobart 500559 Handler 140 Wire Welder
*Welds 24 gauge to 1/4 inch mild steel
*25 – 140 amps		$499.99
$599.99		4.5Read all 365 customer reviews
Great Value
Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
*Made in USA
*Best for 24 gauge to 1/8 inch mild steel		$349.99
$534.70		4.4Read all 135 reviews
Popular Choice
Lotos MIG140 140 Amp MIG Wire Welder Flux Core Welder and Aluminum Gas Shielded Welding with 2T/4T Switch, 110V		$368.144.3Read all 87 customer reviews
LONGEVITY Migweld 140 – 140 Amp Mig Welder Capable Of Flux-Core And Aluminum Gas Shielded Welding 110v$349.99
$379.99		3.0Read all 72 reviews

Best welding machine for beginners

Hobart Handler 140

Probably the most suitable MIG welding machine for a beginner.

Of course, there is no one welding machine that is suitable for all jobs but if I was to start welding all over again and was looking for a first welding machine for myself or any beginner, I would go with the Hobart Handler 140 MIG Wire Welder.

hobart handler 140hobart-500559-at-work

It’s a 115V MIG welder. Welds mild steel 24 gauge to 1/4 inch. You can also weld aluminum. 

The welder comes with everything you need to start welding (flux core wire included) so just plug in, select appropriate voltage and wire feeder speed and you’re good to go. It is MIG ready as it comes, no additional equipment required.

Handler 140 is Hobart’s most popular wire feed welder, it is extremely versatile and suitable for the welder that wants to work on:

  • auto body,
  • household repairs, or
  • even some heavier farm projects that require extra welding power.

A 5-position tapped voltage control selector gives you the ability to fine-tune your arc offering a smooth stable arc on all thicknesses. Built with an industrial cast aluminum drive system and a heavy duty work clamp the Handler 140 delivers a wire welding package with industrial performance.

Most importantly Hobart is a quality welding machine that you can trust to last (designed and built in Ohio, USA).

The new model (500559) has some useful upgrades over the previous model too:

hobart-handler-140-upgrade1
Industrial cast aluminum wire drive system
hobart-handler-140-upgrade2
5 option Voltage control

Also, check out the great customer reviews it has.

As you can see Hobart Handler 140 does a great job for a 110V.

Product specs:

ProcessesMIG (GMAW), Flux Cored (FCAW)
Input115V / 60Hz / 1 phase
Current25 – 140 A
Duty Cycle90A @ 20%
Material ThicknessWelds 24 gauge up to 1/4 inch
ApplicationsMaintenance, Construction, Auto Body, Farm/Ranch, Rental, Home
Weight57 lbs (26 kg)
WarrantyHobart’s 5/3/1 Industrial Warranty
AboutDesigned, assembled, serviced and supported in Troy, OH USA
Wire.023 –.035 in. (0.6 – 0.9 mm) mild steel or stainless steel, .030 –.035 in. (0.8 – 0.9 mm) flux-cored, and .030 in. (0.8 mm) aluminum

Buy Hobart Handler 140

Best cheap MIG welder for under $300

Want to try out welding? What’s the best welder for the money when you’re just starting out?

Not everybody has an unlimited budget to spend on their first welder. I get it. Especially if you’re not sure if you’ll be using it often.

The one thing I suggest you is this… Stay away from the cheap no-name $100 welders that come from Asia.

For 300 bucks you can get a decent machine from a US manufacturer that is durable and doesn’t break down on the second use.

Lincoln Electric K2185-1

Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder
Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder

I got one for my father for Christmas a couple of years ago. He needed one for welding sheet metal like car panel replacement. I knew that a 220-volt unit would be an overkill.

I also looked at other 110V units but they were either unknown names or cost even more than this unit. I own a few Lincoln machines myself so I put my trust in them.

What surprised me was its ability to also weld thicker material and on just 110 volts. And as expected, it works really well with 18 gauge sheet metal. One thing I missed at first was an infinite dial for power output. It comes with 4 settings and I’ve learned to pick one that will work for the job at hand.

Before getting this machine I had always thought that these cheap portable 110V machines are a joke and for people who can’t afford a real welder. Now, after using it for some time, I realize that this Lincoln machine has plenty of power to be the only welder I need for my household and hobby projects.

Lincoln Electric K2185-1 wire feed welder plugs into a 115V, 20 amp outlet.

Four voltage settings and continuous wire feed speed adjustment allow you to weld mild steel from 24 gauge to 1/8″ thick.

Lincoln Handy is a super easy welder to get started with since it comes with practically everything you need to MIG weld: gun and cable assembly, work cable and clamp, gas nozzle, gas regulator and hose, a spool of solid wire, contact tips and hand shield with filter plate and lens. Just add a cylinder of shielding gas and start welding away.

Lincoln Electric Handy MIG capabilities

This welder is for you if you don’t have more than $300 to spare but want a reliable welder from a known manufacturer to use in your household and on hobby projects. I think it’s the best cheap welder you can get.

Product specs:

ProcessesMIG (GMAW), Flux Cored (FCAW)
Input115V / 60Hz / 1 phase
Current35 – 88 A
Duty Cycle70A @ 20%
Material ThicknessWelds 24 gauge up to 1/8 inch mild steel
ApplicationsMaintenance, Construction, Auto Body, Farm/Ranch, Rental, Home
Weight46 lbs (21 kg)
WarrantyOne year warranty on parts and labor.(90 days warranty on gun and cable)
AboutHeadquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric has more than 40 manufacturing locations
Wire.035 in

Currently, the best price for this unit we’ve found is on Amazon: 

Buy Lincoln Electric K2185-1

Longevity MigWeld 140

The MIGWELD 140 comes with a Tweco torch, 1 lb mild steel welding wire roll, a welding mask, chipping hammer and steel brush, gas flow regulator gauge, and a 300A grounding cable. Can be setup easily in minutes – start welding steel right away.

There’s an optional spool gun available for aluminum welding if that’s what you need.

Longevity MigWeld 140 review

Product specs:

ProcessesMIG (GMAW), Flux Cored (FCAW)
Input110V / 50/60Hz / 1 phase
Current140 A
Duty Cycle90A @ 20%
Material ThicknessWelds 24 gauge up to 1/4 in. steel
ApplicationsLight Industrial, Fabrication, Farm, Motorsports, Maintenance, Repair Shops
Weight54 lbs (unit 40 lbs)
WarrantyOne year Warranty, parts and labor.
About
Wire.025”-.030” (0.6-0.8mm) solid steel, .030”-.035” (0.8-0.9mm) Flux-Cored

Buy Longevity MigWeld 140

If you need more power from your welding machine then read on for the 220V and dual-voltage MIG welders.

Best 220V MIG Welders

These welding machines are true workhorses. They’re for you if you’re a professional or want to weld like one.

110V MIG welding machines are typically very good for sheet metal and body work, however, they don’t have the power to produce good welds on heavier steel. These welding machines max out at 1/8″ steel and that’s when using flux core wire on a welder rated at 140A. Because of the low max output, 110V machines aren’t really suitable for any work with alum. A common issue with small MIG welders is that you can make a good looking bead on a thick steel but because the machine lacks penetration, the nice looking weld has no strength.

Most of the 220V MIG welders have been designed to run a spool gun for alum, and machines 200+ amps will run 3/16″ alum and more, depending on max power output.

Smaller 220V machines usually top out at 5/16″ or 3/8″ steel with flux core wire or gas. Larger MIG welders can weld in excess of 1/2″. These machines can also be turned down and used for welding thinner metal with no problems.

The only downside is that the 220-only machines require a 220V outlet, so they’re not as portable.

However, nowadays many MIG welding machines are dual voltage capable (110V/220V) meaning they have more power and can weld thicker metals but can also be used to plug into the 110V household current when needed.

WelderWelder ModelDuty CyclePriceRatingReviews
Top Rated
Hobart Handler 500554 190		30% @ 130A$668.99 $899.004.9Read all 56 reviews
#1 Best Seller
LOTOS MIG175 175A Mig Welder with FREE Spool Gun, Mask, Aluminum Welding Wires, Solid wires, Argon Regulator		20% @ 175A$489.00 $629.004.5Read all 127 reviews
Miller Electric 21140% @ 150A$1,246.00 $1,317.004.5Read all 29 customer reviews
Super Heavy Duty
Hobart 500536 Ironman 230 250 Amp MIG Welder With Wheel Kit & Cylinder Rack		60% @ 175A$1,539.99 $1,904.39
4.8Read all 17 reviews

#1 Millermatic 211

Millermatic 211 MIG welder

I would say that Millermatic 211 is the ultimate portable MIG welder. It’s super lightweight, weighing only 38 lbs and it’s a dual-voltage machine, so you can use it with both 110-120V and 220-240V input.

211 welds mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum (need a spool gun). It can weld steel up to 3/8 inch thick in a single pass.

It runs really quiet and one of the aspects that surprised me the most is how clean the welds are. There’s almost no spatter.

And it’s easy to set up, too. Very positively surprised.

Product specs:

TitleMillermatic 211
ProcessesMIG (GMAW), Flux Cored (FCAW)
Input110/115/120V
220/230/240V
Current30 – 230 A
Duty Cycle150A @ 40%
Material ThicknessWelds material from 24-gauge to 3/8 inch in a single pass
ApplicationsDIY / Home Hobbyist
Farm and Ranch
Metal Art / Sculptures
Racing / Customizing / Restoring
Weight38 lbs
WarrantyWelder is warranted for three years, parts and labor. Gun warranted for 90 days, parts and labor
WireSolid Steel 0.024 in 0.035 in
Stainless 0.024 in 0.035 in
Flux Cored 0.03 in 0.045 in
Solid Steel 0.6 mm 0.9 mm
Stainless 0.6 mm 0.9 mm
Flux Cored 0.8 mm 1.2 mm

Buy Millermatic 211

#2 Hobart Handler 190

Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder

Great low-cost option for aluminum welding.

Handler 190 comes with the spool gun circuitry already built into the kit. Plus when you buy this package, you’ll also get the spool gun (10 ft, 150 Amp), so no extras other than a cylinder of Argon gas are needed to start welding aluminum.

It can weld steel from 24 gauge up to 5/16 inch thick and aluminum 16 gauge up to 3/16 inch thick.

If you want to weld 1/2″ or thicker material you want to look at a size bigger unit, like the Hobart 230.

Product specs:

TitleHobart Handler 190
ProcessesMIG (GMAW), Flux Cored (FCAW)
Input230V
Current25 – 190 A
Duty Cycle130A @ 30%
Material ThicknessWelds 24 gauge up to 5/16 inch steel
ApplicationsMaintenance, Construction, Auto Body, Farm/Ranch, Rental, Home
Weight68 lbs (31 kg)
WarrantyHobart’s 5/3/1 Industrial Warranty
WireSolid Steel 0.024 in 0.035 in
Stainless 0.024 in 0.035 in
Flux Cored 0.03 in 0.045 in
Aluminum 0.030 in 0.035 in

Buy Hobart Handler 190

#3 Hobart IronMan 230

Hobart IronMan 230 MIG welder

True heavy duty machine with a duty cycle of 60% @ 175 amps.

The arc of the new IronMan 230 is optimized to deliver a flawless weld, making spatter and post-weld cleanup almost non-existent.

Does not come with a spool gun for aluminum. If you want to weld aluminum just add the optional Hobart DP-3545-20 spool gun and you’re ready to weld aluminum from 18 gauge to 1/2 inch.

Product specs:

TitleHobart IronMan 230
MetalsSteel
Stainless Steel
Aluminum
Material ThicknessWelds 24 gauge up to 1/2 inch steel
ProcessesMIG (GMAW)
Input230V
Current30 – 250 A
Duty Cycle175A @ 60%
ApplicationsMaintenance, Construction, Auto Body, Farm/Ranch, Rental, Home
Weight185 lbs (84 kg)
WarrantyHobart’s 5/3/1 Industrial Warranty

Buy Hobart IronMan 230

#4 Lotos MIG175

Lotos MIG175 MIG welder

Product specs:

TitleLotos MIG 175
MetalsSteel 18 gauge – 1/4″
Stainless Steel 18 gauge – 1/4″
Aluminum 1/8″ Plate or Thicker
Material ThicknessWelds 18 gauge up to 1/4 inch steel
ProcessesMIG (GMAW), Flux Cored (FCAW)
Input200 – 240V
Current175 A
Duty Cycle175A @ 20%
135A @ 30%
ApplicationsMaintenance, Construction, Auto Body, Farm/Ranch, Rental, Home
Weight85 lbs (39 kg)
Warranty1-year warranty

Buy Lotos MIG175

Not sure if MIG welder is the right choice for you?

Check out this video that explains the differences in types of welding (MIG, TIG, STICK) and gives recommendations on which welder to go with when you’re starting out.

Latest updates to this guide:

April 14th, 2020 – revamp for 2020
April 10th, 2019 – major updates to tables and product info
December 8th, 2018 – more updates
January 14th, 2018 – updated for 2018, new best mig welder
January 3rd, 2017 – updated for 2017
November 2016 – added a few MIG welder reviews
August 24th, 2016 – added 110V & 220V comparison tables and Hobart Handler 140 review
August 5th, 2016 – updated for 2016
Feb 8th, 2015 – updated pricing and review counts (Mike)
Sept 3rd, 2014 – added new Millermatic model

JET 354170/JDP 20MF 20 Inch Floor Drill Press

Best Drill Presses

Mike

Drilling can be cumbersome when you don’t t have the right tool. Luckily, with the availability of drill presses, drilling has become more easy to do. However, there are so many different types of drill presses available on the market today; it gets increasingly difficult to choose the right tool.

I looked for the right drill press for my garage and tested out a few different ones as I went. The result is this comparison table of the best drill press reviews that I want to share with you here.

Best drill presses for 2019

ImageTitleSale PriceRatingReviews
JET 354170/JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press999.004.7 16
Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools WPDPPACK1 Drill Press Table, 1-Pack134.994.6 18
SKIL 3320-01 120-Volt 10-Inch Drill Press129.004.2 197
WEN 4212 10-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press199.004.1 51
JET 354165 JDP-15M 3/4-HP 15-Inch Bench Drill Press532.004.1 24
Grizzly G7943 12 Speed Heavy-Duty Bench-Top Drill Press545.174.1 16
JET JDP-17DX 17-Inch Wood Drill Press609.994.1 12
POWERTEC DP801 Baby Drill Press, 5-Speed104.994 25
Shop Fox W1668 3/4-HP 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press/Spindle Sander396.003.8 44
Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press998.993.8 41
Rockwell RK7032 Shop Series 10-Inch Drill press214.063.8 13
JET JDP-17MF/354169 Drill Press639.003.7 47
Factory-Reconditioned SKIL 3320-01-RT 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press229.003.6 14
Jet JDP-12 12-Inch Drill Press with Digital Readout374.993.5 49

When it comes to choosing a drill press, it is important to consider the following factors:

1. The type of material to be drilled.

This is one of the essential factors — you can not use a wood drill on a metallic material. Some metals are harder to drill than others and therefore the occasion may call for a specialized drill press.

2. Cost. This involves both buying and maintenance cost.

Some of the drill presses are very expensive and, in my opinion, highly over rated (brand costs). It is important to bear in mind that the cost of any device does not necessarily reflect its quality. Just make sure you go for a drill press that will align with your budget. However, you should not neglect its quality.

3. Durability. This shows how long the device will last before calling for replacement.

Always consider the warranty duration offered by the manufacturer. The better brands usually don’t hide it and are happy to offer longer warranties. Also make sure to do your quality assurance by checking the reviews by former users who already have a past experience with the exact drill press. There’s a specific column in my drill press comparison table in the end of this article for that.

4. Power consumption.

This determines how much power the device will consume on its operation. However, this sometimes tends to be tricky to avoid as the larger the device, the more the power consumption rate and if the amount of work is bulky, then a larger drill will definitely be the best choice. It is possible to know how much power any respective device will consume by checking the power rating which is written on the device.

When it comes to the cost of drilling presses, they differ from one size to the other and also from one brand to the other. Therefore, the amount you will spend on purchasing a drill press will definitely depend on the respective drill that you go for.

After purchasing the right drill press, you should ensure that you have the required skill before trying any operation. This will put you on a safe ground as poor handling of any drilling device can cause severe injuries. It is also important to ensure that you dress right for the occasion when using any drilling device so as to be on the safe side.