I've owned the dc-160a by amico power for two months, and aside from the joke of a stinger that I replaced before I used it I've been thrilled with it for price. Only tried it once on 110v at 90a worked fine but I have 220v in the shop for other welders and equipment several big name red and blue, and I've been welding for 12 years. For the price time will tell but I don't think these can be beat.
Unfortunately I have never welded aluminum, but i would probably do low as your able to run the electrode. for example 6011 3/32th electrode I wouldnt go above 50amps, I believe aluminum will melt if you go to high.
weld 1/2 inch with it, as the company said it will weld it without any problem at all. I worked in the mining industry for 22 years and in that time I did a lot of welding. I am in the process of reviewing welders right now as I want to buy one that will last a long time. Thank you for your thoughts
Why are the naming of models so confusing? There is one that is mma-160 that has very similar specs to this one but has arc force, seems like it would be the better buy but it’s cheaper and this model doesn’t but it’s one of the more popular models, gauging by the amount of reviews
You can get a new 200-amp stinger from Northern Tool, Harbor Freight, or any other place like that for about $15. It's easy to attach and should work well.
gunnuts82 I was going to, but Northern has a Hobart 200-amp stinger for $15, so when this one gives out, I'll probably get that one. Comes with a proper copper crush collar, too, instead of the one-sided piece the harbor freight one comes with.
Hey man thanks for the overview yeah if you can do the demo that will be great year I have the Tig 200dc and it's like when i Try to weld bead lt looks like moshie and not I see no puddle like the ones at our welding class but again thanks looking forward to seeing the demo on the half in plate
Your welcome! Once i get my hands on some half inch steel, I'll make the video!! Sorry to hear your having troubles! maybe the welding teacher can give you a hand or tips? i dont know much about tig welding unfortunately :/. Hope you can figure out the problem!
Have you had any problems with the power cord heating up? The incoming power cord is only #12 wire with a 50 amp cord cap on it. #12 wire is only good for 20 amps. I guess thats why it doesn't have a UL label on it. Not legal in the US. But, if it works good and performs good, I'm happy. I got mine today but I may wait until this weekend to use it. I hope it performs as well as everyone says it does.
I burned a couple of rods on mine this past weekend and it worked great. I bought some Hobart 7018's but I don't like them The chinese rods that came with the welder were better than the Hobart's. I may sell this one and get the Amico stick/tig welder.
Glad to hear that! And yea I just buy cheap harbor freight rods and they work good with no troubles! If you do end up selling it let me know how that welder works for you!!!
what is your circuit breaker amp? i have a step-up transformer (basically a more robust version of the one inside the welder.) still on a 110v line with a 20a breaker but 220v seems to draw less. a 50a breaker is best but that means doing a new run which is money better used for steel.
Does it run 6010 for stick? I have the esab miniarc 161lts and absolutely love it. Runs 6010 nice for ur root and super smooth on 7018. Nice tig arc as well
My 160d has a very difficult time striking an arc even when cranking up the amps.
I've owned the dc-160a by amico power for two months, and aside from the joke of a stinger that I replaced before I used it I've been thrilled with it for price. Only tried it once on 110v at 90a worked fine but I have 220v in the shop for other welders and equipment several big name red and blue, and I've been welding for 12 years. For the price time will tell but I don't think these can be beat.
Yea the stinger is kind of crappy, But i agree for the price its a great little welder!
LivingPacificNorthWest
Yes this mechine how many watt and you can weld aluminum thank you regard.
Unfortunately I have never welded aluminum, but i would probably do low as your able to run the electrode. for example 6011 3/32th electrode I wouldnt go above 50amps, I believe aluminum will melt if you go to high.
LivingPacificNorthWest
This mechine how many watt thank you regard
عبددالقادر هادي I can't say how many watts right off the top of my head but you can get aluminum stick electrodes
weld 1/2 inch with it, as the company said it will weld it without any problem at all. I worked in the mining industry for 22 years and in that time I did a lot of welding. I am in the process of reviewing welders right now as I want to buy one that will last a long time. Thank you for your thoughts
Why are the naming of models so confusing? There is one that is mma-160 that has very similar specs to this one but has arc force, seems like it would be the better buy but it’s cheaper and this model doesn’t but it’s one of the more popular models, gauging by the amount of reviews
You can get a new 200-amp stinger from Northern Tool, Harbor Freight, or any other place like that for about $15. It's easy to attach and should work well.
I'll have to take a look! i really need to get a new one. Duct tape only works for so long ha
LivingPacificNorthWest I bought the harbor freight stinger it's a 400 amp. Built like a tank. I paid like 10 11 dollars with a 20% off coupon.
gunnuts82
I was going to, but Northern has a Hobart 200-amp stinger for $15, so when this one gives out, I'll probably get that one. Comes with a proper copper crush collar, too, instead of the one-sided piece the harbor freight one comes with.
Really!? Thats super cheap, I might as well go pick one up. Thank you!
In the start of the video you mentioned you can run it up to 155 amps before tripping the breaker is this achieved on the 115v adapter? Or 230v?
115 adapter.
Hey man thanks for the overview yeah if you can do the demo that will be great year I have the Tig 200dc and it's like when i Try to weld bead lt looks like moshie and not I see no puddle like the ones at our welding class but again thanks looking forward to seeing the demo on the half in plate
Your welcome! Once i get my hands on some half inch steel, I'll make the video!! Sorry to hear your having troubles! maybe the welding teacher can give you a hand or tips? i dont know much about tig welding unfortunately :/. Hope you can figure out the problem!
I know a bit about tig and stick. What questions do you have?
is your unit still working? can an inverter igbt model be used for 3, 4 years with home use?
Does this have a variable control on it or can you only set it to predetermined amp settings?
it just has a dial on the front to set the amps with a display.
What is the first model. I want to buyAmico power DC 160A or Amico power DC 160 D , which is the best
Have you had any problems with the power cord heating up? The incoming power cord is only #12 wire with a 50 amp cord cap on it. #12 wire is only good for 20 amps. I guess thats why it doesn't have a UL label on it. Not legal in the US. But, if it works good and performs good, I'm happy. I got mine today but I may wait until this weekend to use it. I hope it performs as well as everyone says it does.
I have had no issues with the cord heating up! That is interesting tho. I hope you enjoy the welder! It does work pretty great!
I burned a couple of rods on mine this past weekend and it worked great. I bought some Hobart 7018's but I don't like them The chinese rods that came with the welder were better than the Hobart's. I may sell this one and get the Amico stick/tig welder.
Glad to hear that! And yea I just buy cheap harbor freight rods and they work good with no troubles! If you do end up selling it let me know how that welder works for you!!!
is your unit still working? can an inverter igbt model be used for 3, 4 years with home use?
Wow.. you actually pronounced that right.
There a screw in the handle to hold it on . Allen head
what is your circuit breaker amp? i have a step-up transformer (basically a more robust version of the one inside the welder.) still on a 110v line with a 20a breaker but 220v seems to draw less. a 50a breaker is best but that means doing a new run which is money better used for steel.
I am not sure what my breaker is set at. But thats something to look into!
I was told it only draws 27 amps so a 40 amp breaker is fine
Leads hookup not covered
Does it run 6010 for stick? I have the esab miniarc 161lts and absolutely love it. Runs 6010 nice for ur root and super smooth on 7018. Nice tig arc as well
I actualy havent tried any 6010's but I dont doubt this machine. I have a feeling it could run almost anything within reason.
I have run 6010 3/32" with is. Seems like I have to run run it a little hot (75-80 amps) but it does weld.
Awesome. Good to know. This little welder does a great job!