5 Best AC DC Stick Welder 2020 – Top Picks & Reviews

Whenever you are looking for technical machines like the welding unit always prefer for the most recent reviews. Technology is changing day by day. Improvements are being made with every tick of the clock. If you rely on the old reviews and old data. You will end up with nothing but just some trash old machinery. So whenever you are looking for suggestions try to find out a blog or post that is the most recent one. 

In this article, the main focus remains on the stick welders but the additional capabilities of the welding unit are also discussed. So that the reader can get a full glimpse of the picture. Let’s begin the most recent review of 2020 by looking at the best available products in the market one by one.

The Best Stick Welders in the Market

  Product Details   Price
AlphaTIG 200 Weight: 69 pounds
Product Dimensions: 19 x 23 x 12 inches
Color: Yellow
Material: Stainless Steel
Power Source: Ac/dc
Warranty: 3 years
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TiG and Stick EverLast 160 High-Frequency Welding Unit Weight: 36.8 pounds
Dimensions: 20 x 12.5 x 13.5 inches
Color: Green
Material: Stainless Steel
Power Source: Dc
Voltage: 240 volts
Amperage Capacity: 140 A
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Stick and TiG 200 Welding Unit by Lotos Components Included: AC/DC Power
Weight: 58.0 pounds
Length: 123.6 inches
Material: Aluminum
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The Stick Welding Unit ARC – 160 by Amico Weight: 13 pounds
Product Dimensions: 14.1 x 6.2 x 11.3 inches
Color: Grey
Style: Stick Arc DC Welder Welding
Material: Metal
Power Source: 100~250V Wide Voltage / 50~60Hz
Amperage Capacity: 160 A
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The Stick Welding Unit 140 by Lotus Height: 12.5 inches
Item Shape: Cuboid
Item Weight: 9.90 pounds
Length:  20 inches
Material: Metal, Plastic
Power Source Type: Dc Style TIG
Voltage: 110 volts
Width: 13.5 inches
Color: Red
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1- Stick welder with Tig Capabilities AlphaTIG 200

Editor’s Pick

Stick welder with Tig Capabilities AlphaTIG 200

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Salient Features

  • Versatile welding machine combining stick welding and TIG capabilities.
  • Offers precise control and stable arc for various welding applications.

This welding unit has additional TiG capabilities too. It performs well with very precise welding.it’s up to you to select whether you want to go for an AC type of welding or DC type of welding. 

The amperage selection is another customizable feature. The minimum amperage level is 5 amperes while the maximum level is 230 amperes. 

With the dual functionality of AC and DC type of welding and the wide amperage range you can easily perform different welding tasks. These tasks range from common household tasks to industrial projects. 

The duty cycle is different at different amperage levels. This machine provides a maximum duty cycle of 150 amperes. The value of the maximum duty cycle is 60%. The manufacturer provides a warranty of 36 months for this welding unit.

The Alpha TIG 200 is Best ForThe Alpha TIG 200 is Not so good For
The combination of the tig and stick welding technique really increases the applicability of the Welding unit. This machine can handle two entirely different metals in terms of welding techniques. The machine can work extremely well with stainless steel as well as the mild steel projects. With the extremely wide amperage range and the luxury to set it at any level. The machine is compatible to work at home and even at the industrial level. DC is a good option to work with steel but aluminum welding requires AC. thanks to this machine you have the functionality of both. This welding unit is equipped with IGBT technology. This technology enables the user to easily switch between the AC and DC mod of welding. The machine produces stable ARC and provides long long working hours. The 60% duty cycle is really impressive even as per industry standards.
The Alpha TIG 200 amperage regulator is not working so accurately. It will take some time to learn its mechanism. The display is great but does not provide updated information. like if you change the output level of the machine in terms of amperage setting. The display won’t change until you reach at the double value. The machine is not fully packed in terms of the available accessories.
Pros
  • Dual output with AC and DC
  • Duty cycle is impressive
  • The amperage range is really wide
  • The arc control is solid
  • The machine comes with a warranty of 3 years.
Cons
  • Customer services department is not very great
  • The machine is a little hard to set up

2- TiG and Stick EverLast 160 High-Frequency Welding Unit

Editor’s Pick

TiG and Stick EverLast 160 High-Frequency Welding Unit

5 star rating
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Salient Features

  • High-frequency welding unit supporting TIG and stick welding methods.
  • Compact and portable design with reliable performance for welding tasks.

This DC machine has the capability to work as a Tig and stick welding technology machine. This dual inverter machine can run on 120 volts as well as 240 volts.

The duty cycle is different on different amperage output levels. The maximum duty cycle is 60% at an average level of 65 amperes. The maximum compression output is 140 amperes.

The EverLast 160 is Best ForThe EverLast 160 is Not so good For
The EverLast 160 is an all user machine. No matter if you are an industry user, home user, a professional workshop user, or just a guy who loves to perform the job by his own hands.
This is a DC enabled machine. You will not get the functionalities of the AC welding on this machine. This specific tissue makes the welding of aluminum difficult. The machine is not as powerful as it can be. The powerful alternatives are available in the market. But for this, you have to compromise some other things e.g the price.

This machine serves the purpose of almost all. 

The machine can run on the voltage input of 120 volts and 220 volts. This really increases machine portability. you can use the machine at multiple locations without worrying about the available power supply.

The material and the metal range of The EverLast 160 is impressively wide. The machine provides a duty cycle of 35%. The machine provides the option that you can give it a start of high frequency or lift. Lift start is beneficial when you are not using the pedal. The machine provides a firm arc. This helps to attain flawless welding. 

The EverLast 160 is excellent in terms of the warranty. If you do not like the machine no problem just return it within the 30 days of purchase and you will get your money back. In addition to this, the manufacturer provides the five years warranty in terms of the different parts of the machine. This is advisable to have a look at the official statement of the manufacturer regarding the warranty.

Pros
  • 30 days money-back guarantee
  • 5 years parts warranty
  • The dual capacity of stick and TiG.
  • Dual voltage operative
  • Multipurpose machine
Cons
  • Not so powerful machine
  • DC only machine

3- Stick and TiG 200 Welding Unit by Lotos

Editor’s Pick

Stick and TiG 200 Welding Unit by Lotos

5 star rating
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Salient Features

  • Dual-function welding unit allowing stick and TIG welding operations.
  • User-friendly interface and powerful output for efficient welding projects.

If you are looking for the 110 volts Welding unit. Then Stick and TiG 200 Welding Unit by Lotos must be your top priority choice.  Control on gas flow and a high-frequency torch can create miracles in a pair of skill full welders hands.

The good thing is that the manufacturer is so sure about the quality of the product that it provides a one-year welding unit warranty.

The TiG 200 Welding Unit by Lotos is Best ForThe AlphaTIG 200 is Not so good For
The machine provides a high-frequency torch. This provides stability in the Welding arc. In addition to this the user can easily control the flow of the heat. This purpose is served with the help of a pedal. This pedal helps to maintain the gas flow. Once you will be able to control the flow of the gas. The user can easily control the temperature. This results in the temperature control while Welding. As a result of this you will get a flawless piece of welding. The temperature reduction system decreases the temperature of the unit. This cools it down. The reduced temperature provides better. The machine provides a 5 years warranty. This warranty covers parts and services.
A major drawback of this machine is that it only works with DC type of welding. The aluminum Welding will not be busy with this machine.
Pros
  • Dual voltage facility is available
  • Temperature Control System is installed
  • The Pedal performance is relatively batter
Cons
  • TiG functionality is available but not as great as it should be
  • Padal Functionality needs improvement

4- The Stick Welding Unit ARC – 160 by Amico

Editor’s Pick

The Stick Welding Unit ARC – 160 by Amico

5 star rating
5 star rating
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Salient Features

  • Robust stick welding unit with ARC-160 technology.
  • Lightweight and easy to handle, suitable for both novice and professional welders.

A great budget product from a well-known manufacturer. This is a specialized stick welding machine. So no other option is available on the machine.

The ARC - 160 by Amico is Best ForThe ARC - 160 by Amico is Not so good For
This is a single functionality machine so the price is relatively low. The machine is operative at a 60% duty cycle with an output of 160 amperes. This has become the most popular option for DC output as the output current. The machine can easily handle the metals that have a thickness of 1 by 4 inches. The machine is fully packed with security options. It has a voltage compensation system. This system provides protection if the machine experiences under or overvoltage. The additional protection it provides is in the form of overloaded current. As this is a single technology machine so it is easy to understand. A great choice to begin with for new welders.
The ARC – 160 by Amico comes with the most popular current output option that is DC. But sometimes you really miss the AC current output. especially when you are dealing with the metals that can be handled well with the AC output Current option. The machine is full of accessories. But a basic accessory is missed. This basic accessory is the starter electrode.
Pros
  • The machine is full of security functionalities
  • Stick welding specialised machine
  • Good for the new welders
  • Operative at the dual voltage
  • The machine provides an impressive duty cycle
Cons
  • The only output option available in the DC
  • Start electrode is not included with the machine

5- The Stick Welding Unit 140 by Lotus

Editor’s Pick

The Stick Welding Unit by Lotus

5 star rating
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Salient Features

  • Compact stick welding unit with 140 amps of power.
  • Ideal for light to medium-duty welding projects, providing excellent control and performance.

Although this is a stick and Tig welder. It has a good reputation for stick welding. This machine provides both portability and performance together.

The Stick Welding Unit 140 by Lotus is Best ForThe Stick Welding Unit 140 by Lotus is Not so good For
The machine provides dual functionality. This can apply the welding techniques to TIG and stick welding. The two welding technologies broaden the cooperative spectrum of this welding unit. The machine provides the most reputed output style the DC Welding. The machine has a dual output option; it can operate at 120 as well as 220 volts. The output amperage varies between 10 amps to 140 amps. This is quite impressive to deal with small home projects. The machine has a duty cycle of 35%. This falls in the middle range ad is enough to deal with the homemade small idli projects. The Stick Welding Unit 140 by Lotus weighs less than 10 pounds. So the machine is highly portable. An additive feature the adds in its portability is its ability to operate on two different voltages. The machine can easily handle the metals up to a thickness of 1 by 4 inches.
The machine comes with the most popular option of the output current that is DC. But sometimes you really miss the AC current output option. The foot pedal is great while we are talking about gas control. Unfortunately the Stick Welding Unit 140 by Lotus misses this option.
Pros
  • The best budget product
  • Dual welding technologies
  • Dual input and output option
  • The duty cycle is not very impressive but decent
  • Portability with performance
Cons
  • AC welding output option is missed

The Stick Welding – Beginners Guide

Do you ever wonder why the stick welding technique is the most common welding technique in the world? Maybe this question strikes in your mind. The answer lies in two reasons. One is the simplicity of the operation. This technology is really easy to apply. It is less demanding in terms of equipment. As far as its application is concerned. This technique can be applied to a wide variety of situations. This is our second reason, the versatility of the applicability. 

Its applicable areas are the construction industry especially where the heavy steel structures are being constructed. AS for as operative metals are concerned its spectrum of applicability is really very wide. This technique can easily handle iron and steel. Stainless-steel is a treat to weld with this technique. 

The gray area metals for this technique the alloys of copper and nickel and aluminum. If applied properly with the right technique the welders can easily manage the grey area metals too. If the output average control is properly effective this technique can be applied to any thickness of metal. Please do remember that the high amperage can damage the metals and the low-level amperage output may require too many shocks for heavy metals.

Another name given to this welding technique is shielded metal arc welding. Although this name was popular in the past but still many people know this technique by this name.

You may not be surprised to know that daily 50% off all the welding activities performed in the country are done by stick welding technique. The reason for this has been mentioned above. The welders most commonly apply this technique for repair and maintenance purposes.

The current passes through the welding electrode and attains a temperature as warm as 7000 foreign height. This is important to achieve such high temperatures because we need to melt the metal to create a joint between them. This is a highly dangerous process as the high temperature is involved. This is advised to take proper precautionary measures and acquire the necessary skills before applying this technique for welding. 

Advantages and disadvantages of stick welding technique

Every technique has pros and cons. Let’s look at the stick welding technique with the purpose to understand its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Stick welding technique

This is the easiest technique to learn and of course really simple to apply. stick welding technique requires less expensive and more portable material in comparison to other welding techniques.

Gas is not required for this type of welding. This is the reason that this is used in multiple repairing processes. Even at the points where the gas is not available.

This is good to do welding in a friendly environment. As far as this technique is concerned you can do welding in rain and in the windy environment. Even then this is recommended that you do welding in a pleasant environment.

Disadvantages of the Stick welding technique

The stick welding technique has shorter duty cycles. This requires more time. You need to break your work more often so that the machine can be ready again for the work. 

The mechanism of stick welding is not easy.

When it comes to weld Titanium and zirconium this is not a safe technique to apply. The metals with the lower melting point cannot be handled well with this technique.

FAQ

These are the most frequently asked questions we have received from our readers about stick welding technique.

What are the most common uses of the stick welding technique?

Repair and maintain the existing welds. This welding technique is proved excellent when it comes to repairing the already welded metals. In addition to this sometimes this welding technique is applied as a preemptive measure on our already welded surface. The learning curve for this type of welding technique is relatively simple and small. The most suitable metals for this technique to apply for the steel and the iron.

Is gas required for stick welding?

All other types of gas techniques require gas. The stick welding technique does not require gas. In this technique a wire is used as a filler and the current passes through an electrode to generate high temperature.

What is the most suitable output option for steak welders?

Stick welders come with both types of output. The direct current DC and the alternating current AC. As far as the applicability is concerned the DC has a more impressive rate than AC. The DC current is considered as the primary choice while the AC is the second option. but for handling some specific metals the AC current has security on DC current.

Conclusion

In this article you have everything. We have introduced you to the stick welding technique really completely. You know the application process well. You know all the advantages and disadvantages of the technique well. You know about the best welding machines available in the market.

Now this is the time to make the move. Select one of the best available models. But please do remember that welding is a risky process. Please take all the security and preventive measures before we start welding.

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