You probably need a performing electric welder with excellent features for your project – the Chicago electric welders are the best for you.
These electric welders are highly portable and energy-efficient, plus you can use them on multiple outlets.
However, shopping for the right one is usually quite challenging – considering hundreds of options in the market.
The guide has all the information on the best six Chicago electric welders.
The article comprehensively answers all your questions: Is the product worth buying? What are their strengths? Etc.
Check out the guide for more helpful information about Chicago electric welders.
The Top Three Best Chicago Electric Welders
Is Chicago Electric Welders Any Good?
Chicago electric welders are among the top in the chart regarding pricing, valuable features, and durability. Chicago electric makes a different range of welding machines at different prices and needs.
Here is a picture of the Chicago Electric Welder we have tested out:
You will find any welder type you want, such as 90 amps, 180 amps, and 170 amps. Other than high-end and durable welders, the company also makes welding accessories.
Therefore you can pick Chicago electric as your brand for all your welding accessories which are usually well-priced.
Note that before you commit to buying any product, go through the product reviews on their product page.
Amazingly, this article has links to some of the best Chicago electric welders. Products reviews will help you choose the right welder or product.
Also you can check out our in depth review on best lincoln welders here.
Top 7 Best Chicago Electric Welders Reviewed In Details
1. Chicago Electric Flux 125 Welder
The welder is suitable for outdoor applications. You can also use it on various metal types and mostly unclean metals. It’s also lightweight, which means you can quickly move with it from place to place.
- Overload protection to prevent overheating
- Trigger activated gun to prevent accidental arc flash
- Compact design
- Perfect welder for outdoor and dirty metals
- Ground clamp with 6ft. long cable
- Spare contact tips
- Flux core gun with 6ft. long cable
Specs
| Duty cycle | 90A AC@ 17V, 20% |
| Input voltage | 120V |
| Weldable metals | Mild and low alloy steel |
| Min amp output | 60A |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs. |
| Open circuit voltage | 27 V |
Outstanding Features
Portable
The welder is compact and lightweight at only 37.5 lbs. All these make it highly portable, and you can move with it from one project to the next effortlessly.
Versatile
You will surely enjoy the welder’s service without the hassle of gas.
Its design allows it to use self-shielding flux-cored wire – therefore, you won’t need regulators and gas, which are essential in standard MIG welders. Plus, setting up the gasless welder is so easy.
Adequate welding arc
Most inexpensive welding machines usually come with poor arcs. However, the Flux 125 is different and features a stable and decent arc that matches its price.
The welder easily stacks beads – all you should do is follow the basic welding techniques properly. The arc is ideal for beginner welders trying to learn about welding.
It enables beginners to quickly adapt to a more stable arc when they shift to better high-end welding machines.
Solid metal casing
Many welders dislike plastic housings because they aren’t durable and easy to break. The Flux 125 casing is thick metals; the only plastic parts are the handles, buttons, and wire drive.
However, the entire metal casing also has its downsides. It’s because it adds to its weight, plus it will cause damage to your other equipment. It can also cause injuries if you don’t handle it with care.
Good Value
The welder has its specific market niche, and when you compare its price to that of other welders, it indeed offers a good value. The model beats most welders in its bracket with its unique features at a low price.
It has some cons similar to other Chicago electric welders, but it’s way cheaper, has a better warranty, and has impressive specs.
Optimal performance
The welder guaranteed you dependable and optimal performance with thermal overload protection and speed wire control.
Amazingly you get all this in a lightweight and compact package. The primary role of overload protection is to ensure the welder doesn’t overheat.
The welder is ideal for jobs in your home, shop, and yard since it can perfectly weld mild steel.
2. Chicago Electric 80 Amp Inverter Arc Welder
It’s simple to use and more so when dealing with input power. You won’t need any complicated tools or equipment like additional wires etc.
- Thermal overload protection
- Anti-stick technology
- Specialized inverter to provide more power and versatility
- Hot start
- 1 Chicago electric 80 amp inverter arc welder
- Shoulder strap
Specs
| Duty cycle | 75 amps @ 40% |
| Max amp output | 80 A |
| Weight | 9.92 lbs. |
| Open circuit voltage | 54 V |
| Weldable metals | Cast iron, mild steel, stainless steel |
| Input voltage | 120V |
Outstanding Features
Power and versatility
The inverter features three specialized functions that ensure you get versatility and power from the unit.
Hot Start
It’s another fantastic feature gaining popularity in different welders. The feature allows you to start the welder and quickly ensures no electrode sticking.
The feature also helps monitor the unit’s voltage and offers additional current when the welder needs it.
Thermal overload
The thermal overload protection comes with indicator light. Therefore your welder will be safe, and you also won’t have to worry about other electronics in your home that share the same power source.
Anti-stick technology
With the technology, you can easily separate electrodes.
Portable
The welder is highly portable due to its lightweight of 9.92 lbs. It’s, therefore, the best welder for your small tasks.
At 80 amps, the Chicago electric welder is ideal for hobbyists. However, the welder can’t work on certain metals like aluminum but perfectly welds mild steel, etc.
Input power
The welding machine doesn’t need too much input power to operate. Its requirement input power is only 80 amps. Therefore ideal for usage at home since most homes operate at 120 volts.
It means the welding system will flawlessly operate at your home. Its amperage proves more advantageous considering it is lightweight and highly portable.
3. Chicago Electric 170 Amp MIG/Flux Cored Welder
The welder has a reputation of being the best for beginners and those who do welding non-commercially. The unit produces a smooth arc and penetration if you use good quality wire and gas.
- Manual wire feed speed control
- Four output settings
- MIG/Flux core arc welding
- Thermal overload protection
- 30-inch long gas hose
- Hose clamp (2pc)
- One handheld shaded face shield
- One brush hammer
- Machine handle
- Tube (2.6 ft.)
- Two spare tips (0.35, 0.23)
Specs
| Output voltage | 22 V |
| Duty cycle | 20% @110 amps |
| Weight | 56.70 lbs. |
| Weldable metals | Stainless steel, mild/low carbon, steel |
| Max amp output | 170 A |
| Open circuit voltage | 40 V |
Outstanding Features
Thermal overload protection
It’s a common and essential feature in most modern welders, and this Chicago welding machine is no exception. Thermal overload protection enhances the welder’s safety level.
The feature proves to be quite valuable for big welding jobs. It will automatically shut down your welder system when it detects it’s running at a very high temperature.
It also shuts down the welder when it notices its working beyond its normal duty cycle and capacity.
Flux-core set up
Setting up the welder is hassle-free because it comes with the flux-core arc welding setup. All you’ll need to add is the shielding gas and other essential components for MIG welding.
Non-battery driven
It’s a fantastic feature but also has its limitations. You will not be able to go remotely with the welder. Amazingly it has a long welding cable (6 ft.) that allows you to move around while using it.
Therefore you’ll be able to cover a wide working area. It also includes clamps that ensure your connections between the machine and cables are tight.
Different output settings
With this machine, you need to be sure that you’re using the proper welding settings for the particular job. The Chicago electric welder has different output settings.
You need to have the correct combination for gas inhalation and output speed if you need perfect control of your welding work, Check out the user manual on information about wire speed control.
The welder’s power requirements need to match power from the supply location. Industrial and household voltages are usually so different.
Amazingly the Chicago electric welder needs only 170 amps that are well compatible with both 220 V and 120 V, which are industrial and household power needs, respectfully.
4. Chicago Electric 240 Spot Welder
The welder only weighs 29.30 lbs. and this makes it highly portable. You can move with it from one project to the other.
- Portable
- It runs on 240 V
- Perfect for uncoated mild, stainless sheet, and galvanized steel
- Air-cooled
- Standard tips
- 6-inch tongs
Specs
| Duty cycle | 2.5 kVA @50% |
| Weldable metals | Uncoated mild, stainless sheet, and galvanized steel |
| Max amps | 10.4 |
| AC volts | 240 |
| Weight | 29.30 lbs. |
Air-cooled
You won’t have worries about overheating your unit. The air cooler uses ambient air plus shielding gas to remove any excess heat from your welder. Therefore it will be able to run smoothly and perform tasks efficiently.
Standard 240 volt power
The volts make the welder quite powerful. Therefore the welder makes quick and strong spot welds. Amazingly it can weld various cast iron, steel, stainless sheet, and many more.
5. Chicago Electric 225 Amp-AC 240V Stick Welder
You can get this one from Ebay
The welder is quite exceptional, and starting an arc with it is so easy. You will experience less arc blow and undoubtedly offer you solid and durable welds.
Welders love it because it comes with fewer details that make its performance better than other stick welders.
- Perfect for shielded metal arc welding
- Constant current
- welding cable
- Electrode holder (multi-angle)
- A cooling fan
- Thermal overload protection
- Welding cable
- Clamp
- Electrode holder
- Grounding cable
Specs
| Duty cycle | 20% @ 225 amps |
| Max amp output | 225 – 270 amps AC |
| Open circuit voltage | 48 |
| Weight | 76.35 lbs. |
| Min amp output | 60 |
| Weldable metals | Steel/cast iron |
| Input voltage | 240 |
Welder’s design is for shielded metal arc welding. Plus, the welder is quite powerful and generates a great arc of up to 225 amps – the arc ensures you have a strong weld, etc.
The design comes with two-way handles; therefore, you can carry it from place to place. The welder also has a six-foot welding cable that allows you to move in the welding space, freely offering convenience.
The welding cable has a multi-angle electrode that offers flexibility on any job type. It also features a thermal overload protection that ensures the machine doesn’t overheat during the welding process.
If the feature detects high temperatures, it automatically shuts down the unit. The cooling fan ensures the fan heat is under control at all times; therefore, you won’t have to worry about overheating as you work.
You can get this one from Ebay
6. Chicago Electric 120 V Spot Welder
- Air-cooled
- Compact design
- Perfect for uncoated mild, stainless sheet, and galvanized steel
- 6-inch tongs
- Standard tips
Specs
| Duty cycle | 1.5 kVA @ 50% |
| Amps | 13.5 |
| Weldable metals | Uncoated stainless sheet, mild and galvanized steel |
| Weight | 29.50 lbs. |
| AC volts | 120V |
The welder is compact and lightweight at only 24.70 lbs. These features make it easily portable. You can hold it while doing your work, plus it makes it ideal for welders that work on sites in different cities and towns.
The welder is also quite powerful and will quickly weld with solid spots. The weld will also look clean, and your clients will surely love them. The welder is ideal for hobbyists who intend to do small jobs at home.
After purchasing it, you’ll need to disassemble it to verify the parts. You’ll need to clean high current junctions when you start using it.
It’s because even the most minor resistances reduce the amount of current that reaches the tips. The welder is known to work perfectly on sheet metal.
7. Chicago Electric 70 Amp Arc Welder
You can get this one from Ebay
A welder is a fantastic unit from Chicago Electric welders. It’s less compact, less pricey, and ideal for beginners. The design of the welder is solely for welders that want to begin light welding.
- Thermal overload protector
- Easy current regulator
- Can run on household 120 V situation
- Has top mount handle
- One Chicago electric arc welder
Specs
| Duty cycle | 70 amp @ 20% |
| Amps | 20 |
| Weldable metals | Uncoated stainless sheet, mild and galvanized steel |
| Weight | 29 lbs. |
| AC volts | 120 |
Outstanding Features
Single-phase
Being single phase means the welder can only run on 120 V power. Therefore it cannot be ideal for use commercially.
It will be the ideal welder for any person who needs a welder for household use, such as a garage, etc.
Output
At 120 V, the amp output of the welder will be 20 amps; too many welders, this is quite mediocre. However, considering the welder’s price and size, it’s undoubtedly okay.
The welder’s load will deviate from 40 – 70 amps if you change the welder’s load. The amperage of 7o will offer you a 20% duty cycle which is decent.
Strapless current regulator
The feature makes it easy to regulate the system’s current (40-70 amp). The welding machine is fantastic and super comfy for any beginner welder. The strapless current regulator makes it even better.
Top mount handle
The welder cannot do more than one welder job. It can only perform arc welding. A top-mount handle makes it easy to handle during the welding process.
You can carry it during the welding project. Plus, you won’t put in much effort since the welder only weighs 29 pounds.
You can get this one from Ebay
Also you can check out our in depth review on best titanium welder here.
Complete Buyer Guide
Picking the best Chicago electric welder can be pretty tricky. There are certain factors you need to consider when choosing these welders.
The most crucial factor to consider is the type of metals you’ll be dealing with, plus the welding intensity. Here are some of the critical factors you need to keep in mind.
1. Convenience
Overall, today most welders are portable. Therefore you need to factor out the portability of the welder before purchasing it. It’s because you might need to use it outside at times.
If the welder is mobile, it will be easier to use it from different occasions and places.
The construction of the welder directly affects its weight and portability. Welder with metallic cases tends to be heavier than those with plastic.
2. Duty period
The duty cycle is simply the time to continuously weld before leaving the machine to cool. Usually, the typical duty cycle of most welders is approximately ten minutes.
Note that the more the duty cycle, the more effectively the welder performs tasks. Plus, you won’t experience overheating issues.
If you intend to use the welder only for household projects or hobbies, you should purchase one that has a reduced duty cycle.
Industrial applications need a welder that has an excellent duty cycle. A welder with a reduced duty cycle will have you pausing after every two minutes of work.
3. Voltage and amperage input
You must have a good understanding of the input power the welder takes before purchasing it. The amperage range is vital since it determines what the unit can and cannot weld.
Many powerful welders out here can perfectly fuse various weldable materials. You will need a welder with a great amperage range if you intend to connect multiple gauge parts.
Always pick a welder with 20 – 50 amps of current rating than the needed requirements. According to professional welders, welding at a more excellent amperage range is better than a slight cold.
The other important feature you need to consider before picking the welder is its voltage. The voltage is your electrical supply capacity, which undoubtedly affects your choice of the welder.
Welders are usually available in different ranges; there’s the 110/120 V or 220/240V. All these are known as single-phase, but they’ll need a three-phase input (240 V) to operate.
The three-phase welders are perfect for industrial use, and single-phase are ideal for home use. The higher the power input, the better outputs from the unit.
Lastly, you should not need to connect a welder with more power demand to a standard circuit, like homes. Such welders need a unique power supply.
4. Durability and Quality
Ensure that any arc welder you buy has a longer life. The welders are usually high cost, and purchasing them every time isn’t a great idea.
You should check and ascertain whether the welder’s build materials are durable and acceptable quality.
There are welders with casings that are entirely steel, while others have full metal like steel alloy, medium carbon steel, and carbon steel.
5. Price
Welders are usually quite costly. However, you can get a good budget welder for under $200. The welder will offer you excellent results and is also durable.
With time, you can upgrade your welder to a more powerful and adaptable one. That’s if your budget allows.
6. Extra Functionalities
The welders usually have extra functionality that makes them more effective and efficient. For example, plasma cutters are usually in stick arc welders.
It’s one of the extra functionalities the welders love. There are many other features, and they include supporting various welding techniques like flux-core, MIG, and TIG welding.
Therefore you will be able to use one welder for different purposes. Plus, switching between the various functions is easy, and you will get this unit at a very affordable price.
7. Additional security features
It would be best if you chose a safe welder – this way, and you’ll be able to benefit from the unit entirely. If the welder area you intend to use is prone to security issues, you should choose one with essential safety elements.
Plus, you should not that stick welders usually heat during the welding process. Pick a welder that has features that prevent overheating.
Many welders have features that increase security, such as overheating, overvoltage, overload, anti-stick, and thermal overload protection. If you choose a welder with these exclusive features, consider it safe.
The thermal overload feature is the most common in welding units, and it immediately shuts down the machine when it becomes scorching due to welding for long hours. It won’t restart after shutting the welder down, and it won’t continue until its engine is adequately cooled.
8. Warranty
The warranty is an essential factor to consider when buying a welding machine. Typically, even the most budget welders need to have a warranty of at least one year.
Any warranty below one year is substandard. Thankfully most Chicago freight welders come with excellent warranties. You should note that the warranty coverage usually increases with the unit’s price.
The high-end units usually have better warranties than low-priced or affordable units. Therefore it’s advisable to go for machines with good warranties, which means spending more.
However, a better warranty also means you get a great welder with more amazing features.
9. User-friendly
The welder you pick should not be hard to operate. You should check if it has some essential features that make a unit user-friendly. It should have a digital display screen that will help you check the situation of the wire feed speed.
The digital display screen isn’t necessary, but you should consider it because even the most inexpensive welders have it. The primary digital readout is perfect for beginners.
They will know how amperage output affects the arc, bead, and penetration on different metal thicknesses.
If you don’t know the specific amperage your settings offer, it’ll force you always to use and stick to the settings chart. It will surely make it hard for you to develop your welding skills.
10. Versatility
Today almost all manufacturers make versatile welders. You will quickly come across a Chicago electric welder that can easily weld different metals.
You should also check out whether the welder can perform different types of welds. Some welders can perform stick, MIG, and TIG welds in a single device.
Any welder with extra versatility will offer you more options and possibilities when dealing with different projects.
Also you can check out our in depth review on best klutch welders here.
Uses of Different Types of Chicago Electric Welders
MIG welding
According to professionals, this type of welding is the best for beginners. It’s because MIG welding is easy to learn.
Electric MIG welders are perfect for thin metal, plus they are easy to convert to high welding speeds. If you think of replacing flux-core welding, you should consider MIG welding.
Fluxed-cored welding
Fluxed-cored welding is known to have better rates for metal deposition. Most welders use it when working on materials or metals that are dirty and rusty.
You will also get excellent results when using it on exceptionally thick materials.
TIG welding
Professionals highly use TIG welding because it produces high-quality and precise work. TIG welders usually feature foot control to change heat quantity.
You can also make aesthetic weld beads with this type of weld.
Stick welding
It’s as impressive as flux-core welding for dirty and rusty materials. It’s ideal when dealing with thicker materials.
Conclusion
It is the right article to look for the best Chicago electric welder.
It lists the best Chicago electric welders with great portability, energy efficiency, versatility, and more.
A complete buying guide also offers you the most comprehensive information about factors you need to consider when choosing a generator.
If you’ve read the whole guide, then choosing the right Chicago electric welder will be so straightforward.
you can check out our in depth review on best Welding Helmet Lights here.
