Does purchasing a whole suite of welding equipment seem daunting? What if you could find a product that is ready to use right out of the box as a complete package? Our Amico welder guide will reveal that their ARC 160D may just be the right all-in-one unit for you.
It’s too easy to gather a piecemeal collection of equipment that might not be compatible together. What’s more, if you sink too much money into a welder right away without knowing exactly how to use it (or even how to get the most out of it), you could be wasting your money on equipment you don’t need, which would keep you from experiencing all the benefits and fun of welding as a worthwhile hobby.
We’ve previously reviewed the best beginners’ welder here, as well as other options. But you should read our Amico welder review below to see how this product can be the perfect entry into a lifelong career or a part-time hobby in welding. This lightweight yet powerful unit can be the perfect addition to any home welding shop.
Amico Welder Review
The Amico 160 AMP Stick Dual Voltage Welder is an excellent welder for anyone looking for quality equipment at a great value.
Other welders, such as the Miller Electric MIG Welder, may be produced by a more reliable brand name, but they can be more expensive for those just starting out with welding at home.
AHP AlphaTIG 200X
The AHP AlphaTIG 200X is also much more expensive than the Amico Power DC-160A, although it can handle more sizes of welding material.
Both of these other welders may become a barrier to novice welders, but the Amico provides much of the power and all of the easy use without some of the technical and financial barriers.
Amico welder comes as a complete package with all attachments and features necessary to get started welding right away.
You should strongly consider this unit if you are just starting out with welding, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on equipment or dedicate an entire workspace solely to welding. This is the perfect entry-level unit that produces reliable results and let you gain valuable experience with welding.
Amico Stick Welder Specifications
This Amico stick welder features a dual voltage AC power supply, with an advanced IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) control module. It automatically accounts for over-voltage, under-voltage, under-current, and overload protection – all of which point to a safe and reliable product.
The easy-to-read LCD display gives a clear indication of the power and output readings.
As a complete, all-in-one device, it has remarkable performance features. Its compact size and lightweight yet durable construction makes it easily portable from site to site, making it easy to unpack at the start of the day or to put away when the job is done. Its power features make it an energy-saving device as well, which can prevent an overload in your home workshop. It is also quitter than other machines, which can be helpful for maintaining concentration or listening for other warning signs while working.
It comes with a holder cable and work clamp cable, as well as an optional power adapter. It has a 60% rated duty cycle at 160 amps, which means a reliable weld throughout the lifetime of the unit.
While the Miller MIG welder is more versatile in working with more types of materials and provides a higher power rating, this unit is perfectly capable of handling most home welding jobs.
Inverter Feature
Welding is a process that requires tremendous amounts of power, but converting that power into a form that is usable by the welder itself can be complicated. Our Amico welder guide is proud to share how the dual voltage AC power supply easily converts power from a common wall outlet into usable power for your welder.
The IGBT power supply converts AC power to a DC current, which is required to operate the welder. This means that, rather than having to provide a DC power supply directly to the device, you can use the included power adapter cable to plug this welder into a regular outlet.
DC POWER INVERTED
Next, the DC power is inverted (or switched) through a transformer within the unit to provide the desired amperage. This does require sophisticated construction, but many modern devices can achieve this using smaller components. More powerful commercial welders can require magnetic components like transformers and conductors, but a power inverter makes for a more compact welding device.
This provides the added benefit of having a device controlled by software rather than direct manipulation, which can lead to easier updates in the future.
How Is the Heat Produced Duty Cycle
In its most basic form, welding involves the application of intense heat at the site of a weld site, or place where two plates of metal are joined. The two plates can be joined directly, with the metal between the two melted to the point where they are fused together. However, it is more common for a filler material (usually metal) to be heated to its melting point and laid between the two plates, joining them together.
The welding rod acts as an electrode that is superheated by a welding device. Power is driven through the electrode, which is directed along the welding path as the weld is performed. The contact between the electrode and metal plates or filler material produces an electric arc, which in turn produces the heat necessary for welding.
The temperature produced by the tip of the welder at the point of the arc is usually is excess of 6500 degrees Fahrenheit. This very high heat melts the filler material or the plates themselves, and as the electrode moves along the welding joint, the exposure to normal air temperature cools the material and solidifies it. This is what produces the weld itself.
However, simply producing an electric current does not allow for the control or precision requires to make a quality weld. Some form of protection from outside elements, such as air or moisture, is usually built into the welding rod. This typically takes the form of a gas or vapor that is dispensed as the arc is produced. This is referred to as arc shielding.
LED Display
A welding unit performs a great deal of power conversion as it operates, which can lead to overages or deficits in power output. Knowing how much power your device is using is essential to ensuring your safety while working.
The LED or LCD display included on the unit can show you how many amps are being put out by the unit. Certain welds may require more power than others, so be sure to use the display to read the power output and adjust your unit as necessary while working.
Comes With All Required Accessories
Our Amico ARC-160D welder review noted that this package comes with all the accessories necessary to safety operate this welder. You will, of course, need safety equipment such as gloves and a welding helmet or visor, as well as the welding torch itself.
However, all power accessories and cables are included with this unit. A 10 foot electrode holder cable and a 10 foot work clamp cable allow power to safety be distributed to the electrode for out-of-the-box use. The power adapter also allows your inverter unit to supply welding power at a moment’s notice.
This device also comes with a full instruction manual and 4 pieces of welding electrode in various sizes.
Ready To Weld Out Of The Box
With this welding package, you can be assured of a reliable welder at an affordable price. Our team conducted reviews from the perspectives of novice and experienced welders, and all levels of experience were highly satisfied by the included accessories and overall performance.
Newcomers to welding will appreciate the ease of use and clear instructions on how to operate this product. Experienced welders enjoy the comparable power and precision from their larger units.
As previously shared, our Amico 160 welder review acknowledges that some welders have superior power or can be more versatile with different materials, electrodes, or surfaces.
However, if you are looking for an affordable solution that requires minimal setup and provides hours of consistent performance, this is the ideal welder for you.
Tips on Using the Amico Stick Welder
As with any welder, we recommend the proper use of all safety equipment while working. This begins with the use of personal protection equipment such as gloves and a helmet, as well as clothing that will protect your whole body from sparks or debris.
You should also make sure your workspace is conducive to easy welding. Keep it clear of all obstructions, ensuring that you can keep your body in a comfortable position throughout the weld. The compact design and portability of the Amico stick welder makes it easy to move the welder exactly where you need it, with maximum flexibility for use.
You should also be careful to test it out at various power levels before committing to a large job. It is critical to know how your welder will perform, especially under prolonged use, by testing it to inspect the overall quality of the welds it makes.
Final Thoughts
One area in which this is extremely important is knowing which electrodes to work with. This welder can work with a variety of electrodes, such as 6010, 6011, 6013, or 7018.
This numbering system refers to the relative tensile strength of the material, and the positions from which they can be operated.
With the tremendous heat and power running through the unit, it is important to maintain steady power to avoid ruining the road during the weld, and to know what positions each rod is able to handle.
FAQs
1. Are Amico welders any good?
Welders do not suggest Amico 160 simply because it is good; they promote it because it is the greatest budget welder available. No model in this price range even comes close to matching its performance and value.
2. Who makes Amico welder?
Amico Power is a privately held corporation established in the United States that specializes in engines, generators, and a variety of service-oriented instruments.
3. Are Amico welders made in USA?
Amico Power manufactures high-quality welders that are all tested in the United States and constructed of premium materials. The company has been in business since 1995 and offers a diverse range of items, not simply welders. Additionally, they offer portable generators, water pumps, and engines.
4. How much does a decent welder cost?
Affordable TIG welders typically start at about $400. So if you're looking for a low-cost A/C TIG welder, expect to pay roughly $1,000. For those seeking affordable TIG welders, a multi-process welder is an excellent compromise. They are typically priced between $250 and $400.
5. Is a multiprocess welder worth it?
Multiprocess welders can be well worth the investment for home hobbyists or people who conduct only light welding. However, it would help if you avoided them for industrial applications or where welding is a crucial component of your work.
