No doubt welding pipelines is one of the toughest and challenging gigs you can name. Without the necessary skills and the best pipeline welders, it’s merely a wish to cut and weld on a pipeline accurately.
Being one of the key forces of the development of urban civilization, these welding projects often are carried on in different remote parts of the world. From icy north pole to even southern jungles – the welder needs to make an instant move to diverse places. And no doubt, it is one of the highest-paid jobs, as well.
To make sure you’re doing things right, we have listed down some of the most powerful welding devices. Stay tuned till the end to find out what we came up with.
Excited? Let’s hop in!
| Image | Title | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder | See Price |
 | HITBOX ARC Lift TIG Welder HB2200 | See Price |
 | Amico ARC-160, 160-Amp Stick Arc & Lift-TIG Combo Welder | See Price |
 | LOTOS - 04-ZVGR-0O8D LTPDC2000D | See Price |
 | Hobart 500572 Handler 100 | See Price |
 | Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i | See Price |
 | Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST 120V/230 V Welder | See Price |
Table of Contents
Top Pipeline Welding Machine Reviews
It’s not an easy task extracting a few welders from thousands of options in the market. We literally had to dive deep into the ocean of choices and pick up only 7 that meet the most common criteria of being the best pipeline welders. Here’s what we found.
1. Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST
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If you’re a beginner in the welding field, the Forney Easy Weld 100ST should be the first one you try. It comes with dual welding options – both stick and TIG welding. Simply switch between the two processes using the process selector, and you’re done.
The welding machine works as an inverted power system and comes with a 120-volt input requirement. Plus, it produces an output of 90 amps to make sure you’re welding yields a superb result.
While this genius handles up to 1/8-inch rod, it can weld 16 gauge up to 5/16-inch pretty accurately. The best part is, you get all these unique features right on the go, as the device is completely portable and surprisingly lightweight.
Highlighted Features
- Capable of stick welding and TIG welding
- Comes with an inverter power system.
- Welding capacity of 16 gauge reaches up to 5/16-inch
- Capable of handling 1/8-inch rod
- Lightweight and portable welder
2. HITBOX ARC Lift TIG Welder HB2200
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Another champ in the house is the Hitbox Arc HB2200. While most Arc welders leave their breath welding carbon, alloy, copper, and mild steel, this all-rounder surprises us by welding stainless-steel, as well.
It comes with an increased no-load voltage up to 78V so that it can easily weld 7018 cellulose rods along with most usual rods, as well. If you’re welding 2.5mm to 3.2mm rods with this, the champ guarantees that you can weld all day!
There is a 35-50 mm² quick connector to make sure the device can withstand higher current than usual devices. That means you can expect the device to perform longer than any ordinary welder you find in the market.
Highlighted Features
- Welds 2.5 to 3.2mm rods for a long time
- Increased No-load voltage up to 78V
- Comes with 85% Duty-cycle for ARC and 50% Duty-cycle for TIG welding
- Welds 4mm rods for up to 2 hours
- Capable of welding robust stainless steel
3. Amico ARC-160
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If you liked the Forney Easy Weld 100ST for its dual-operation versatility, you’re going to love the Amico ARC-160. It’s a combo of Stick Arc and Lift-TIG welding machine that can weld on heavy-duty stainless steel.
Worry no more with the voltage tuning, as the pipeline welder comes with an automatic voltage selection feature. It detects the voltage input by itself and makes it easy for you to select between 100~250V/50~60Hz power input.
With all those voltages, weld with this pipe welding device for a long time, as it comes with an 80% duty cycle at about 160-amp power. Coupled with all those current, voltages, and load protection – this device is the perfect piece to own.
Highlighted Features
- Combo engine-driven welder welds both Stick Arc and Lift-TIG
- Duty cycle is 80% at 160 amps
- Works fine with a cord up to 700 feet
- Comes with protection facilities for over and under voltage, current, and load
4. LOTOS 04-ZVGR-0O8D LTPDC2000D
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When it comes to a multipurpose welder, very few can compete with the Lotos LTPDC2000D. The beast comes with a 3-in-1 combo of a TIG welder, a Stick welder, and surprisingly – a Pilot Arc Plasma cutter!
What benefit you get from a pilot arc is its efficiency in cutting. It can cut through rough and rusty surfaces without producing much slag. And on top of that, it allows you to cut without touching the metal with the tip!
The device comes with a dual voltage and frequency option. That means you can run the machine on direct 220 V 50/60 Hz power, or you can choose to operate it with 110 V 50/60 Hz if you decide to use a pigtail.
Highlighted Features
- 3-in-1 device comes with a plasma cutter with a stick and TIG welder
- Can cut various metals up to ½ inch
- Comes with a robust 50A Pilot arc
- Papst advanced cooling technique for superb plasma cutting performance
- Adjustable hot striking arc current
5. Hobart 500572 Handler 100
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Impressed already? Prepare for more! Say hello to Hobart 500572 Handler 100! It’s a heavy-duty welder that can weld up to 3/16-inch steel with flux-cored wire.
Thanks to its broad and wide opening window for every single wire, you can instantly adjust the opening for diverse thickness and joints. Apart from that, the spool hub assembly can house 4 to 8 inches of spools pretty easily.
To add more, the device comes with a built-in contractor that allows you to keep the wires electrically cold. You can keep it in that way until you pull the trigger. And with a 115V input power, each of these tasks gets fairly convenient and simple.
Highlighted Features
- The welder can weld up to 4.8mm of steel with flux-cored wire
- Adjustable opening for different thickness
- Comes with a built-in contractor
- Spool hub comes with a capacity to accommodate 4 to 8 inches of spools
- Runs on a 115V input power
6. Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i
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Liked Hobart? Here’s another one – The Stickmate 160i. This 15-pound lightweight welder is truly a mobile device to carry around. With 120V/240V input power, this little monster can produce an output of up to 160 Amps.
You will find the power cord with MVP adapters to switch between 120V and 240V. With that amount of power variety, you can weld up to 5/32-inch mild steel pretty easily. As the 3-meter electrode cable comes with a duty holder and clamp, working with it is a blessing indeed.
Having a hot start technology onboard couldn’t get better. It ensures a quick and reliable start for the machine and makes your welding session a perfect one.
Highlighted Features
- Lightweight device weighs only 15 pounds
- Electrode cable comes with clamp and duty holder
- Features hot-start technology for a quick start
- 120/240 V input and up to 160 Amps of output
- Can weld up to 5/32-inch mild steel
7. Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST
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Remember Forney? Let’s pull the shutter down with another one. This one is also a dual-purpose pipeline welding machine with both Stick and TIG welding options.
With its dual-voltage capacity, the device can work on both 120V and 230V power input. Depending on the input voltage, the output ranges from 10-90 amps or 10-180 amps.
As there is a built-in lift start function for the TIG welding, you don’t need any foot pedal to start this giant. Simply start it in seconds and keep welding mild steels up to ½ inch.
The best part is, the welder is quite rugged and robust. You can carry it around anywhere, and a few blows won’t do any harm to it in any way!
Highlighted Features
- Dual welder for Stick and TIG welding
- Welds up to a half-inch mild steel
- Dual input voltage capacity of 120V and 230V
- Quick lift start capacity eliminates the need for a pedal
- Comes with voltage power adapters for easy switching
If you want a higher duty cycle with top-notch performance without reaching the bottom of your pocket, you can own the Amico Arc-160 right away for its ‘out of the box’ features and performance.
For a bit more specialized performance that ensures multiple welding capacity, it’s not a hard guess to pick the Lotos LTPDC2000D for its 3-in-1 ‘ahead of its time’ performance and innovation.
And if you are up for a truly versatile product with endless possibilities, simply select the Hobart Stickmate 160i, for its unparalleled versatility and compatibility.
Best Pipeline Welders Buying Guide
So, you’re up for a welder for the pipelines, huh? Although some of the best pipeline welders are already reviewed here, consider the following facts while picking one for you.
The Higher the Duty Cycle, the Better
In short, a duty cycle refers to the length a welder can weld at a stretch within 10 minutes. Say a 60% duty cycle means the device can weld for 6 minutes and rest for 4 minutes for a new start. So, look for the machine that comes with a higher duty cycle for an uninterrupted welding session.
Find A Versatile One
Pipelines come with diverse thickness and require different types of welding techniques for various projects. Some of the most common welding techniques are MIG welding, TIG welding, flux core, Tungsten Arc welding, etc.
There’s no point in sticking to only one type of welding while you can go versatile. You can find many welders out there that can offer multiple welding services. If your budget suits it, go for such a device without a doubt.
Keep It Safe
One of the most vital issues with a welder is safety. An essential part of the whole safety issue is surge protection. Make sure the protection level is At least 20% to at best 25%.
Portability Is Ideal
You can’t drag all the metal equipment to your garage and weld there, can you? The welder needs to be carried to the place where the welding needs to be done. That calls for portability and mobility of the device. So, ensure that the machine is lightweight, easy to carry, and moveable.
Power Is a Must
It’s not only the welding you need to do; you may need to light up your workstation and may even want to power up other tools with a welding machine, as well. Some of the most updated welders come with a generator system that not only welds but also generates power. If possible, pick one of these.
Keep The Cables and Connectors in Check
Check if the cables, connectors, and the hose that you are going to use with the welding machine promises well-resemblance to the device or not. It’s a must that these accessories should sync well with the welder and be resistant enough to prevent accidents and burnouts.
FAQs on
Q1. What is the best pipeline welding machine?
Ans. Although there are thousands of such machines out there in the market, it’s hard to pick one up as the best one. You can check our reviews to find some of the most promising devices that we have selected. Out of all these machines, the Hitbox Arc HB2200 is our favorite!
Q2. Which welding process is used in pipeline welding?
Ans. Usually, the mechanized GMAW process is used for pipeline welding.
Q3. What do I need to get started as a pipeline welder?
Ans. To get into the pipeline welding industry, you need to have hands-on practical experience, pipeline welding training, follow specific pipeline welder requirements, the ability to deal with the rough atmosphere, and other general welding skills.
Q4. How much do Pipeline welders make an hour?
Ans. Although it depends on the expertise and experience, the average per hour income of a pipeline welder in the US is $24.27.
Q5. What is the best welding machine brand?
Ans. When it comes to the welding machine, numerous brands are worthy of mentioning to be the best ones. To our knowledge and experience, Forney Easy Weld, Amico, LOTOS, etc., are some of the big names that you can trust.
Q6. What is a 7018 welding rod used for?
Ans. A 7018 welding rod is usually used for general-purpose welding of carbon steel.
Q7. How do I choose a welding machine?
Ans. There are a few factors you need to keep in mind while choosing a welding machine. In our buying guide section, we have discussed this in detail. In short, you need to have a high duty cycle, optimum safety measure, satisfactory power output, and easy portability.
Q8. How dangerous is pipeline welding?
Ans. Pipeline welding is one of the most dangerous tasks you can work on. If you can’t deal with the suffocating environment, some of the welding projects will put you in; you can even end up at the hospital.
Final Words
We made sure we took the vital features of a powerful welding machine into considerations on our quest to find some of the best pipeline welders. For that, we dug deep and came up with the 7 welders that we have reviewed here.
If you think you are going to pick one from our list, you’re most welcome. And if you’re ready to explore further, keep our buying guide handy so that you land on the right page!
Keep on welding!