Thick plate and structural welding can be demanding work. In shipyards, heavy fabrication shops, and other high-production environments, welders may spend hours making long welds at high amperages. The torch needs to keep up with that workload without making the job harder on the person using it.
There are several things to look at when choosing a MIG torch for this type of work. Heat management is important, but so are torch weight, ergonomics, access to difficult joints, consumable service life, and how quickly consumables and other components can be replaced.
The right torch ultimately comes down to matching its design to the application. Here are a few of the features worth considering when comparing MIG torches for thick plate and structural welding.
