We are currently witnessing unprecedented technological advancements that allow the creation of cordless electrical devices that have changed the way we live and work. Your smartphone is a great example of this.
In your pocket, you carry a powerful computer, and that power requires significant amounts of electrical energy. This is where the hero of this story comes into play:
Also known as the Li-Ion battery, it is a device designed for storing electrical energy that uses a lithium salt as the electrolyte. The properties of Li-Ion batteries, such as the lightness of their components, their high energy capacity, resistance to discharge, minimal memory effect, and their ability to function with a high number of regeneration cycles, have enabled the design of lightweight, small, and varied accumulators with high performance, especially suited for applications in the consumer electronics industry. Wikipedia
In cases where a large amount of current is required in a short time, variants such as lithium-polymer batteries (Li-Po - LiFePO4) are used.
The first electric screwdrivers came with nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries, whose poor performance and large size did not help their acceptance among consumers, much less among professionals who intended to use the tool daily. It wasn’t until the incorporation of the Li-Ion battery that this massive revolution began.
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Today, all major brands have dedicated a significant section of their catalogs to cordless tools. This range continues to grow, not only in variety but also in performance, quality, and power, to the point where it is now possible to purchase battery-powered rotary hammers, chainsaws, and even lawnmowers.
With the introduction complete, we now approach the central topic of this investigation, as some images of welders from well-known brands with an attached battery pack have been circulating on social media. In most cases, these are viral fake news, also known as SPAM or FAKE.
You can search through catalogs endlessly, but you won’t find them. That’s why we had to go to the source, and after consulting representatives from various companies, they told us that they currently have cordless welder prototypes in development. However, these models are not yet market-ready because they still cannot solve the problem of limited performance.
But two companies have dared to venture into this commercially risky territory. One is DeWALT, and the other is Fronius.
Now, let’s get to the point.
This portable cordless unit is designed for professional STICK (SMAW) welding up to 140A and TIG up to 150A. It’s worth noting that it is not possible to connect the welder to the power grid for direct operation; it always requires the use of the large and cumbersome DCWB009 charger.
The quality of this unit is noteworthy, as it is built with top-notch materials. It has all the configurable functions to provide maximum comfort while welding, along with other excellent features such as a removable particle filter in the ventilation system.
But unfortunately…
THIS PRODUCT
HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED
Once again, we had to investigate to find out what happened at DeWALT to make such a decision about this incredible product. The answer was: THE PROJECT LACKED MATURITY. According to the information we gathered, the DeWALT DCW100K welder was a commercial failure for several reasons:
These reasons have positioned the DCW100K as an option only useful in specific situations where you need to perform a quick repair in a location far from power grids. However, its extremely high price has led customers to make a much more logical decision: buying a fuel-powered generator. The combined cost of an inverter welder and an electric generator is similar to or lower than the price of the DCW100K. With a similar combined weight, the fuel-powered equipment wins by a landslide in terms of autonomy, as you won’t have to work while praying that the machine doesn’t fail halfway through the weld.
And with that, we close the case on DeWALT. Now let’s move on to Fronius, where we find a rather unusual case.
This company has expanded its range of welding solutions to include battery-operated variants. The AccuPocket 150/400 TIG is as useful as the device already available for MMA welding and offers the same advantages. Additionally, it provides powerful TIG functions such as two-step and four-step switching, TAC function, and TIG Comfort Stop. The TIG pulse function ensures reduced heat input, better bridging capability, and improved weld appearance. Another highlight is an integrated solenoid-type gas valve, which ensures optimal gas coverage during the start and stop phases.
Sales of these units are practically non-existent for the same reasons as the DeWALT model. Field tests determined that the batteries discharge very quickly, and their performance in "cordless" mode is only useful for small repairs, which does not justify their high cost, size, and weight.
Nevertheless, the brand Fronius continues to keep these models as an option in their catalogs and attempts to promote them as a viable choice.
An unusual detail is the striking similarity between both units, which, apart from the colors, are practically identical in appearance. We don’t know if this is mere copying, coincidence, or if patents have been transferred between these companies.
To address the question that motivated this article, we must make it clear that SMALL INVERTER WELDERS WITH A REMOVABLE BATTERY PACK similar to a cordless grinder do NOT EXIST. The welding process requires a large amount of electrical current, far more than what normal battery packs used in other tools can provide.
Unfortunately, the only available option is not found on the shelves of hardware stores or specialized welding equipment shops. Additionally, importing it is extremely complicated due to its price, dimensions, and weight. All of this, combined with its exorbitant cost, makes it much more convenient to purchase a fuel-powered generator, effectively dashing your hopes of owning a cordless welder, at least in the short term.
So for now, patience...
They are already part of the Job Board
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