Buying guide
MIG vs Arc Welding in Kenya — Which Should You Buy?
The two machines you'll see in almost every Kenyan workshop are stick (arc) welders and MIG welders. They do overlapping work, but they're not interchangeable. Here's how to choose.
Stick (Arc) welding — the workhorse
Stick welders are the default in Kenyan workshops for good reason. They're cheap to buy, rugged, run on rough power, and the consumables — E6013 and E7018 rods — are stocked in every town. They handle rusty, painted and outdoor steel without fuss. If you build gates, grilles, trailers, structural frames or do site work, a stick welder is the right starting point.
The trade-off: stick is slower than MIG, leaves more slag to chip, and is harder to learn well. Thin sheet metal (under 2mm) is difficult.
MIG welding — speed and clean welds
MIG (or MAG) welders feed a continuous wire and shield the weld with gas. They're faster than stick, leave clean welds with little slag, and handle thin sheet beautifully. For bodywork, repeat fabrication, furniture and production runs, MIG pays for itself quickly.
The trade-off: higher upfront cost, you need shielding gas (CO₂ or argon mix) which means a cylinder and regulator, and the gas is sensitive to wind on outdoor jobs.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Stick / Arc | MIG |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Medium–High |
| Consumable cost | Low (rods only) | Wire + gas cylinder |
| Speed | Slower | Fast |
| Outdoor / windy sites | Excellent | Tricky — wind blows gas away |
| Thin sheet (<2mm) | Difficult | Excellent |
| Rusty / painted steel | Handles well | Needs cleaning first |
| Learning curve | Steeper | Easier |
Our recommendation for Kenyan workshops
Start with a quality stick welder if you're a general fabricator. Add a MIG once you're doing enough repeat work, bodywork or thin sheet to justify the gas-cylinder logistics. Many established Kenyan workshops run both.
Shop welders at Weldwell
We stock both stick and MIG welders from Kiswel, ESAB, Hero and more — with nationwide delivery across Kenya. Add what you need to your cart and we'll quote on WhatsApp.
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