Small Stick Welder

John C. · Jan 10, 2020

I'm in the markets for a small stick welder I can carry to jobs. I don't need and engine driven unit as I have a generator set I use at home regularly. I have been doing a few things building brackets and putting exhaust systems back together and I figured stick would work the best for this type of application. I only need to run one of two sticks per job and then put the thing away. I looked at the Miller Thunderbolt 160 and 210 models and figure they might be the best and most cost effective for my needs. I'm looking for any feedback on these inverters or any other brands.

Old Doug · Jan 10, 2020

If i was you i mite try one of harbor freight welders.

crane operator · Jan 10, 2020

Welding business by me has one of the small miller 120/240 stick welders, I think its a "maxstar" 161. Its only 15 lbs and they love it for carrying in and doing quick jobs. Says it welds well and is super handy. I see the new thunderbolt ones are only 15lbs also.

John C. · Jan 10, 2020

Any experience with the Harbor Freight units I can hang my hat on. I've never had a problem with the Miller line.

RZucker · Jan 10, 2020

John C. said:
Any experience with the Harbor Freight units I can hang my hat on. I've never had a problem with the Miller line.

From what I have heard the "Vulcan" brand at Harbor Freight is not bad, not cheap, but decent quality.
I've use the little Miller Maxstar that weighs 10 lbs. I think it was 90 amps on 120V power, we ran 1/8" 6011 and 3/32" 7018 on grain elevator repairs, it was much easier to pull up a cord and have the machine in the basket with you than trying to readjust an engine drive 95' below.

Plus you had the 120V cord for the grinder anyways.

Junkyard · Jan 10, 2020

I second a smaller inverter based machine. Light and small. They’ve come down a lot in price.

DIYDAVE · Jan 10, 2020

John C. said:
Any experience with the Harbor Freight units I can hang my hat on. I've never had a problem with the Miller line.

I just bought a vulcan mig, with solid wire. Had it on the end of a 50' cheap extension cord, in a barn, that won't run a 1 hp motor air compressor. That lil HF welder did a great job of welding a 1/4" wagon spindle back together, and also welding a 15 MM nut onto a tractor. Think I paid like $159, fer it!

Welder Dave · Jan 11, 2020

An Esab Miniarc 161LTS is another option with good reviews and approx. $800 cheaper than a comparable Miller Maxstar 161STI and about $20 more than a T-Bolt 160. The Miller T Bolt 160 is a lower end machine. The Esab has 35% duty cycle compared to the T-Bolts 30%. Esab also has versions for Tig if you require it.

https://www.esabna.com/us/en/products/arc-welding-equipment/mma-equipment-cc/miniarc-161lts.cfm

https://store.cyberweld.com/mima161stlti.html

https://store.cyberweld.com/esmi161lts05.html

https://www.amazon.com/ESAB-0558101694-MiniArc-161LTS-Package/product-reviews/B008S0OFB4

John C. · Jan 11, 2020

I have quotes of $485 for the 160 - 210 model from the local dealer. Why would I want to pay more to buy something off the internet that has little or no service support?

Welder Dave · Jan 11, 2020

Wow. Esab has dealers and service centers in the US. The 161LTS has been on the market for several years with great reviews. If there were problems they'd be posted all over the net. 100 day money back guarantee, hot start and arc force (Miller only has hot start), and more duty cycle (maybe why it's 3lbs. heavier). That's easily worth $20 to me. Your also paying $120 for an MVP plug and cable bag with the Miller. Hobart is the same machine as the Miller but without the MVP plug and cable bag. Typically anything Thunderbolt from Miller is their lowest end machines. Sorry the specs. are from a place that sells all 3 for comparison. Esab are typically less expensive than a comparable Miller but the Hobart clearly shows you pay a lot more for the Miller name. The Esab is more comparable to the Maxstar 161 which is considerably more expensive.

https://store.cyberweld.com/miller-thunderbolt-160-stick-welder-907721.html

https://store.cyberweld.com/hobart-stickmate-160i-500570.html

https://store.cyberweld.com/esmi161lts05.html

John Canfield · Jan 12, 2020

I have the Esab 161LTS and absolutely love it, quite small and will run on 120 or 240v. I use it for fence and gate repairs on our ranch and power it from my Honda eu7000i generator. I don't have enough need for a dedicated welder-generator.

Welder Dave · Jan 12, 2020

John Canfield said:
I have the Esab 161LTS and absolutely love it, quite small and will run on 120 or 240v. I use it for fence and gate repairs on our ranch and power it from my Honda eu7000i generator. I don't have enough need for a dedicated welder-generator.

Thanks! Apparently a lot of other owners love them too. That why I suggested it. Most welding supplies don't do their own repairs. Repairs and warranty are usually done though electrical/welder repair shops authorized by the OEM.

RLU_tech · Jan 14, 2020

If your looking at a Miller Thunderbolt, you may want to checkout the Hobart Stickmate line. Same exact machines with gray paint instead of blue. The Hobart version will naturally be less costly.

Welder Dave · Jan 14, 2020

RLU_tech said:
If your looking at a Miller Thunderbolt, you may want to checkout the Hobart Stickmate line. Same exact machines with gray paint instead of blue. The Hobart version will naturally be less costly.

See post 10.

John C. · Jan 15, 2020

Thanks guys, I'll look into them.

My other issue is the plugs to run the thing. I've got two different plugs in my shop, and another different one on my generator. Do they make adapters to go down to the small size on the boxes?

Welder Dave · Jan 15, 2020

Miller has a 4 prong to 3 prong adaptor but it's pricey. There's other types of adaptors too.

https://www.millerwelds.com/accesso...lblazer-big-blue-full-kva-adaptor-cord-300517

Generic ones are a quite a bit less expensive or you could probably make one up.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-WORKS-Welder-Adapter-4-Prong/dp/B06VWJZ684?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_6

John C. · Jan 15, 2020

Thanks

Blocker in MS · Jan 15, 2020

I might have heard of someone making a really short extension cord with two different ends, but I would not want to name names

Labparamour · Feb 13, 2020

John,
Did you wind up buying Blue?
Had a chance to play with it?
How do you like it?

I bought an Everlast dual voltage unit several years ago that works well. Gave it to my son to play with.

Looking at the units mentioned here and like the price and weight of the Hobart.

Thanks for any input.

Darryl

John C. · Feb 13, 2020

I haven't had the chance just yet. I got wrapped up in getting a Komatsu WA600 back into operational condition for the last few weeks. What did you do about plugging the machine into all the different 220 plug ins that are possible?

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