This is the best review I have ever watched on a cheap welder. As you put it through its paces like no other person would and put it into a practical application. Awesome. Now we know why good welders are expensive.

This was the best real world review from a real world welder. Great video.

I enjoy videos like this every so often. Thanks for the content!

ArcCaptain, the Patreon saint of all welders!

Best review i've seen yet...no fluff... just lets try to break it and then an honest conclusion....keep them coming.

Great review, trying different power sources showed capabilities, appreciate honesty. Reviews are great addition.

Interesting video. Thanks! Three comments: "Bigtb1717" has a video on amp draw on 110. Seems the Chinesium machines can draw 30+ amps on 110. Second comment: same guy connected an ammeter to the output and it didn't make 200 amps. Third comment: Harbor Freight, for all its failings, seems to at least offer honest assessments of the capacity of its machines. Unlike some, I appreciate the reviews. Many I've seen come from people who are not welding professionals. Nice to have pro actually attempt real world work. Thanks again.

@2nickles647

3 ай бұрын

I bought a green harbour freight multi purpose welder. I was building a shade to work under. My neighbor gave me 200 ' of 2"OD pipe. I tried the stick welder at max amps to get the arc to start. My rod kept sticking. Every once in a while I could start a good run. Then the breaker tripped. I loaded my machine with a large roll of .30 mig wire. After getting use to the settings. I could maintain a good run. I'm going to try with a smaller rod next time. Possibly get on a separate 30 amp breaker with its own for my welder. I will get my son over to help wire it. While I do the work. Thank you for the review. I did consider the machine a few months ago.

Im with you. I have a old mexican made welding machine that was fabricated in some alley and that thing outperforms the extremely high end welding machines out there.

@gillihansmobilewelding

7 ай бұрын

It's probably a transformer machine. It seems like they never die.

Real realistic review.... not some artist welder welding a wrench plus forks sculpture to put in his garden ying yan kind of reviewing ending in congratulation about ... life... Thanks.. Mike.

I have a nearly identical Alinco IGBT welder. My findings were much the same as yours - without the ability to crank up the arc voltage, some rods required very frequent restarting. Potassium-based rods worked a little better. But compared to my 50 year old Century welder...well there _is_ no comparison: Using the higher OCV setting, it will burn any rod w/o dramas. (Channeling Kurtis here.)

@thepubliceye

Жыл бұрын

Hot Start, Arc force and Anti-Stick settings adjust the voltage.

2 thumbs up on your review... If the the need to replace the cables is the only real fault with this machine straight out of the box, I'm good to go. We do mostly sheet metal and quarter inch mild steel at the heaviest. We're in a small Central American beach village and this will beat the he'll out of dropping a 110 volt linen to a5 gallon bucket of salt water. We're upscale enough to have 220 service to our beer coolers. Thanks for the review

I liked the video. I don't mind the tool review videos at all. Good job!

Here in Bulgaria I have the same machine but by a company called raider, 230 volt and it’s the workhorse of my shop , I also have three bigger machines but the small welder is my go to machine. Had it three years and no issues, fantastic little thing.

@donsmith9081

Жыл бұрын

Hello from California!

@thedtmann

4 ай бұрын

Awesome, cause I just bought one just before I saw your comment, very helpful, Thx sir!

@ivanbg5167

3 ай бұрын

Работи ли добре за селска работа тази машина? Мисля да Acrccaptain ARC200 купя от Америка за България.

At work we just bought a similar unit to fill a need on certain jobs. Ours is a Hynade welder. I found the little stick welder worked perfectly for 3/32 6013, I think set around 90amp on 110v. It would kick out a breaker at near 100 amp. It works really well on 220v and can be cranked for bigger rod although I find that it acts like it's 25% less current than it reads. I think your review is helpful. A professional like yourself is far more useful than the reviews by all these folks who, "don't really weld". I always think their reviews are a joke.

Awesome review!!!!! Can't wait for the next!!!

First 👍's up on fire welding thank you for sharing

Its always interesting to see reviews of new gear. The names of equipment from the big C is usiually a giveaway with what to expect. Like you say though, good for home use.

Nice video. Very informative. Need more real world applications on the Tube. Really curious about the 120v situation with this welder. Keep making videos. Thanx

Awesome review, I subscribed! I just bought this unit and tried to weld using 110, same result with 3/32 7018. I'm am brand new to welding, I need to get 220 wired into my garage so I can really test this.

Reviews would be awesome. I will definitely like to see a review about your service truck setup.

Nice chance of pace. Appreciate the content.

Yes more product tests. Thanks for sharing...

So I had a chance to weld few things on this arc200 welder and U are absolutely right, welded on this one with 220 volt hooked up to 50 amp breaker, and it produced very inconsistent results

Привет из России 🇷🇺 ! Недавно попал на ваш канал и меня очень увлёк контент 👍 Профессионально выполненная работа отличным инструментом. Особенно нравится ваша мобильная мастерская на грузовике 💪😁👍

Good review man. Youd think with a name like( arc) captain they would at least provide a hot start function for smoother starts but you know how that goes. Keep em coming.

Terrific, fair review. Thank you. I’m buying..

Did you play with the Hot start settings? I picked up a similar Everlast lunchbox machine quite a few years ago for a special project. I added a SCUBA tank of argon and made a backpack TIG for doing some inplace stainless repairs. It worked so good, I still use it from time to time. 120v is just not up to much but I have burned some 1/16" 7014 to repair a pool fence where there was no other power options. That a actual welder can be made that small and light still amazes me. Of course I grew up with giant transformer machines and an SA200 as a "mobile" option.

There is a sync setting on it to mate your amperage to stick type. Good review.

Very good review. Thanks for the good information. I bought one of these because its easy to take for a quick repair without loading up one of the big welders. I hope you can review an arccaptain mig welder someday.

@OFW

11 ай бұрын

I just did that review on the mig.

Yeah loved it man. Try and test some of the ESAB units or the other budget inverters, COVO, INFRA and that family of 110/220 stick and tig budget welders. Thanks from Nicaragua...

Since this video arc captain made one little change and that is the cord, where the plug out of the machine is 220 then short connector to 110. I bought this, this Christmas and haven't used a stick welder since high-school and I'm 71 so this should be interesting. I do have a mig welder which I do like and I bought a plasma cutter made by Yes

Thanks, I just bought that model. I've never welded before so I hope I don't F it up too bad!

I have the exact same machine but mine is orange color and branded as: JASIC arc 200 syn led. These are good quality chinese machines produced in the same factory at once but sold on different aliases. I really like mine it does a nice job. It never overheated on me.

@rbelang8331

8 ай бұрын

Hum, sorry to say that but Jasic is a different beast... Much better quality component.

Thanks for the review! 👌👍

please more review of new tools love it

enjoyed the review like you Im probably not going to buy that little welder but I was surprised that it did as well as it did. Really enjoy your channel and you skills are top notch.Could you do a review on EZ weld tig rods for cast iron. I have some and have used and so far no issues but I would like a better welder than I to review them. The claim is no preheat and no slow cool and welds do not crack. Thanks

It’s prob got the same guts, different rheostat and a digital meter as the harbor hole $200ish stick welder I had to get in a pinch. On 120v it is gutless or pops the breaker otherwise does ok for what it is. If your gonna do another review the primeweld 225 ac/dc tig is one I’d like to see. I don’t do much Aluminium so I don’t need a dynasty or anything like that but they seem to have a cult following. These kind of “real reviews” I think are beneficial to younger cats trying to find tools they can afford.

I see a lot of gate guys using lunchbox welders. Last time the gate guy plugged his into the 15a circuit 70 feet from the breaker he popped the breaker. No hot water for 3 days. Plumbers said days away from a new big heater. I took a chance and checked the power. Yep blown. But the plumbers had unplugged the heater. Turned off the gas. Unplugged the electric pilot. Took me 10 minutes to get it all on again. Gate guy came back a few weeks later. I let him have it. Plumbers were mad at me. Cost them a 4k job replacing a 4 year old water heater because the power was out. I want a gasoline welder generator.

yah i liked it would watch more reviews

I had same issues with 20 amp breaker with 7018 1/8th rod on this exact machine. My brother is an electrician, so temporarily he plugged in 50amps brick into our home breaker, and hooked my arc200 with it, and it had 0 issues in shutting off breaker even at 200 amps. Wires did not get hot, nor my clamps, it had no issues in giving continuous flow of electricity. Wires did not get hot, and I welded without any issues in tripping breaker, like I did at 20amp initially. Now on my 20 amp trial, initially, 6010 1/8th allowed me to run my rod longer without tripping breaker. Were you able to fix issue with your breaker? Also turn ANTI STICK mode on, and VRD mode on, something I missed initially in checking manual, also adjust Hot Arc start and Arc Force, that will help with starting arc and continue the weld. Also comparison against your miller and 200amp ARC200 is not a fair comparison, first you need to fix your breaker so it would not trip, then make a weld at 200amp on ARC, you will see better results. Professional welder used these dc machines with great success, so fixing breaker and adjusting arc force and hot arc should allow you to have better results. Also planning to upgrade to 30 amp breaker and see if it can pull 200 amps.

Good review with lots of good information. Because I'm a novice and I have that same welder, I would have benefited from knowing the thickness of the materials you are welding. That is very relevant to the capability of a welder. I could have sworn that the ArcCaption isn't rated for rods bigger than 1/8. I'm not too sure, but I thought that I read that somewhere. Another thing that would have been beneficial would be to put a filter on the camera lens so that we could view the arc and puddle.

Good review, I think that this welder would be for the occasional welding job and not for the full time welder. Just my take on what I saw 👍🇬🇧

I'm amazed that it popped a breaker on a 500 amp Miller never seen that before

Would have never thought of hard facing inside a pipe, but it does make sense. Definitely would like to see more reviews.

IT LOOKS THAT THE ARC200 IS GOOD ENOUGHT FOR A SMALL SHOP, NICE.

What Hot Start, Arc force and Anti-Stick settings are you using?

Hey Greg......Nice review, not one of those super fast , blah blah blah about all the goodies the machine has and .information that is hard to follow, especially if you do not know much about welding.....just plain welding and amps info.... also doing an actual project is great...... Having done unboxing and reviews for one of the 'Big 3 KZread' channels myself, I appreciate the way you did the review.....maybe a few more close up shots is the only addition I would add.... On the whole, a well done review, looking forward to more like this.... Cheers from down Florida Way.....Paul 'Paulie' Brown

AHP equipment would be my suggestion for reviews..

I have been seeing these cheaper welding machines the machines are super super good but the hammer and the stinger they always send the cheapest when it comes to that but the cmaps are ok but for 230$ you cant beat it Plus it has hot start so that's a huge bonus

The most important reason why you got the welder to do your job is the fact that you are a pro welder. Guys at home will likely not do as well as you with this welder.

@ia6980

7 ай бұрын

sounds like youre hes buddy? why would u comment him on being a pro welder? doesn't make any sense, unless you know him.

Funny watching this, just got a little YesWelder YWA-160 with no problems on 1/8th 6013 and 7018, thing was $100.

How good are Chicago Electric Welders TIG flux core 35 dia. wire feed for some test results 90 amps up

Interesting, how about reviewing an Everlast multi process ac\dc welder. I was thinking of buying their MTS 275 model

i had a little welder like that back in the day i used to weld 5 m - 10 ml plate for hours and it worked but that was 25 years ago they dont make things like they used too

On Fire Welding, The only Stick Welder that matches your Fire wold be a 1000 amp Welding Rod System. After watching your videos, I have come to the conclusion that nothing can hold you back!

Would love to hear you talk about the plus and minus of your machines the blue ones. 600 AP that 500 your little portable millers your 12 vs. I run the same stuff but no ark reach. But would love to hear the thoughts of a guy running a biz on your level. I’m sure others would as well

A bought a profax stick welder. (made in Texas) it claims. Its 240 or 110 volt. Ac/dc unit. what is your opinion of this

I left the farm in 1985 the bank said that I was done, haven’t done any welding since. That being said I’m not impressed with the little welder. The video well Isaac bought a plasma cutter & used it, then Kurtis made a ground for using on a job that rotated, those were OK, I hope that you don’t make a habit of these kinds of videos. You asked what I thought, I tried to be polite & careful. Thank You Sir

After a cheap machine for rig work. I picked up a old scratch tig setup but I have the old stick welder that the leads are permanent would this be suitable. I also live in Australia so it’s 240 v. on a disability pension so looking for something cheap would this be suitable. Regards Andy

I've generally found these small welders all have the same specs but generally dont put out a true 200 amps and are really only good for 7018 and 6013 and definitely 1/8 rod at the largest. I'd be curious if that one can run 6010 at all but I find the violent arc tends to cause these lunch boxes to lose the arc. I'm more curious about the world of cheap plasma cutters from Amazon. I've seen some of them work well but they all just destroy their consumables immediately. Overall I think we all understand that there's no real way to get around buying a professional machine if you do this work for a living but it's nice to know if there is some options for the garage tinkerers.

@ia6980

7 ай бұрын

yes it can, it runs 6010 much better than 7018, at least in my experience

I’m so glad I saw this, because this was fixing to be my next purchase. I’m looking for a smaller at home shop welder and don’t really want to spend over $500. Is there any other welder that may do quite a bit better than this one? I have both 110 and 220 in my shop.

@OFW

9 ай бұрын

This one would be great on 220. $500 is a pretty low budget now days. Check out the MIG 200

Yes do some more reviews. They would very good because you are a real world pro welder and usually guys like you just don't have time to do reviews.

30 Amp 220 volt extension cord just has bigger wire. More available Amps at the plug. The adapter only uses one leg of the 220v

Not another awesome KZreadr going down that alley.

I remember when those little welders when they first came out years ago. You had to chain them to a steal beam or someone would take it and put it in there lunch box and take it home with them. There nick name was the lunch box welder. LOL

It has hot start and arc force settings.

How you doing I just started watching the channel here recently I have a mobile welding service myself down here in Texas but anyway I tried that grinding disc showed while back one of your videos the 3M I liked it was pretty good what's your suggestion on some drill bits I've tried all kinds you could let me know hey if you keep up the good work thank you

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

Kimball Midwest has some good drillbits. Basically anything with a higher cobalt content should last longer.

@normanlatimermetallicmagic7342

Жыл бұрын

@@OFW okay thank you I think I found someone on Amazon

yeah i did hook it up to my stove 30 amps

Qs please, were you able to get good bead when welding vertically with arc200 ? Ive tried 3/32 and 1/8th on 6011 and 7018 ?

@OFW

7 ай бұрын

I haven’t tried it very much going vertical.

I have bucket of cold water to cool the rod hold at high amps between rod change

Is there any 120 vac 20 amp stick welder that works? Or is that just too little power for stick welding? I'd like something that I can take to a friends house and do little projects. Thanks for the review.

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

Miller makes some that work well.

What if you're just trying to weld a small radius?

I am going to assume that this welding machine is for running a 1/16 th rod for fixing fencing or gates on a ranch for the do it yourself kinda farmer, that being said. I have a titanium 225 from harbor freight and have welded 3/4 plate intermittent with 5/32 7018, these smaller cheaper inverter welding machines always come with garbage but usable electrode cable and clamps, on the titanium welder I have 35 feet of cable 2AWG.

I'm doing a home project building a log splitter. I'm looking for an economical welder for in my garage. The I-beam I'm using for the splitter is a 10" beam with 1/2" thick flanges. I know its a little bit of overkill for a splitter but i got a good deal on the beam. Do you think this welder would work for me anything else i would do at home wouldn't be near as heavy.

@OFW

9 ай бұрын

If you can run it on 220 volt then yes.

I’m looking for a cheap welder. It’s either the arccaptain mig 200 or yeswelder 205ds… I can’t decide. I’m leaning towards the yeswelder but at first I was liking the arccaptain. Idk

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

I’m going to do a review on the arc captain 200 mig coming up.

A guy could get an old tombstone if he just needed to stick a few things here and there. Heavier but dirt cheap and reliable

On 220 volt do you think this will run 1/8" 6010 ? Great review by the way.

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Definitely

You better velcro that "light weight"welder to the bench!! A good stiff breeze or a tug on the cable could send that unit flying to the floor!!!

Well it worked and didn't go pop :-D That thin wire must create a power loss, they cheaped out there. I suppose if the welder senses the current droop it should compensate by upping the voltage. I'm assuming that's what a good welding machine does.

The limping dog 😂😂😂😂 20:54

Hi, I recently bought a Amico electric, 200 amps multi-purpose 3 in1 welder, from Amazon. I got the the welder. However i discovered, it have a factory defect,(the wire speed dial isn't working). I informed Amazon about it. They asked that I return the item. However to do so is costing more than i bought it for. I am outside the usa. So I am left stuck with a a defective product. So i am looking for a solution.

Wonder if it would run a 6011 on 110. That’s probably your home style welding anyway.

@ia6980

7 ай бұрын

i will test it soon. it ran 6010 better than it did 7018 on 1/8th rod of same machine, so 6011 should be even easier to run.

Good review. Thank you!!!

Was thinking of grabbing one of these to do some frame work on my Jeep. I'd love to use a bigger and better welder of course but can't afford one right yet. Would this or something similar work for me?

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

If you were using it on 220 v I believe it would.

@wes11bravo

Жыл бұрын

@@OFW - Appreciate it. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Good video, sir, on a real project. I'm a DIYer and have to say that looks like a weird undersized cord for 220v on that little welder, IMO. I respect you pro's / experienced folks who review decent tools that will get several - or many - jobs done over the years with moderate use, not necessarily trade-use. A couple years ago I bought a small welder like this -- maybe a little better, I think -- only because the welding job I needed done was too small for my local welding shops to handle and the only guy I knew with a welder had just a piece of crap HF setup and he couldn't get it done.

does it run 6010? specs say it can and it has a high ocv, but does it run them well?

@OFW

Ай бұрын

I’m pretty sure it will on 220 no problem.

That was a great video. How much does something like that cost?

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

About $120

Reviews are fine as long as it’s on QUALITY, name brand equipment that professionals would typically use. Not so much on internet junk, IMHO. Personally, I would have much preferred a video on how you got your measurements on the elbow and flange fit-up.

@_doomzday

Жыл бұрын

Then don’t watch. Kick rocks. Not everybody is rich or a name brand snob

Can you give us instructions on how to make appropriate settings?

@OFW

7 ай бұрын

Yes, I can make a video about that.

More reviews!

Have you ever used fronius welders before?

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

I have not.

i would love to see a clamp amp meter on the cable to see actual outputs at 110 and 220 if it matches the lcd or its all false

@OFW

8 ай бұрын

I’ll have to try that.

@michaelp1758

8 ай бұрын

i watched another review of a smaller 160A arccaptain and it maxed out at 125a @160a and worse from 60 to 125 setting it put out 95 to 105A .. uncontrollable w little to no hot start

Okay, so I need help with mine. I have a 160 instead of a 200 captain. And my rods or 6011. Do I have to set the settings or can I just turn it on And start welding. And my other question. Do I press down on it or just gently.

@OFW

9 ай бұрын

You should be able to just weld. I don’t remember if it has a rod specific setting. Start the arc like you are trying to tickle it with a feather then keep the rod right above the puddle. About 1/8 above the puddle or less.

@victoraguilar159

9 ай бұрын

@OFW ok thank u sir

I bought one of these welders in anyone that has one or is interested in getting one I suggest you go to Harbor Freight or Northern Tool or any place to get the heavy duty ground clamp and lead I think the ground clamp made out of brass it is very stiff

@OFW

8 ай бұрын

The ground lead should be a little heavier gauge.

Hi, do you run it at 110 or 220V ? How about running it in 110V, do I get the same Amps capacity ?

@OFW

6 ай бұрын

On 110 it doesn’t do that well but on 220 it does really well.

What did you have all the settings at on that welder?

@OFW

3 ай бұрын

Maxed out.

I suppose if the price is right and someone wanting to learn how to stick weld (with a 220 plug) it may be alright. But for those of us who have been welding for years it's very hard to find the patience to use one of these. After 30 years of using both of my Lincoln Precision tig 275's the 200 amp inverter I have (Lincoln) is not user friendly and I'm a Lincoln man to the core. Also, I don't have your patience. Keep smilin

We don't need no stinking directions essay!🤜😬Hobby welders are no good for industrial welding. Good for patch work and small projects. Tip with these small welders. They don't push electrons very well. The ground must be as close to the arc as possible. The farther away the more resistance and heat is generated between the welder and the electrode.

At 20:54 was there a deer in the doorway of your shop limping? Or was i seeing things?

@OFW

Жыл бұрын

Probably my 3 legged dog

I’m sure the duty cycle is low for max amps. Probably 20%.