ABX MAG160A Welder, Welding Machine, 5 in 1 MMA Stick/GAS MIG/MAG/Gasless FLUX-CORED/LIFT TIG/Spot, 110V/220V Dual Voltage With Tape Measure, IGBT Inverter, Digital Screen Display

I picked up another inexpensive welder like this some time ago and instantly fell in love with how easy it was to use. No cart to roll around or cables to manage, just a little welder that I could move around by hand even when prone. This new welder by ABX steps it up a notch with a higher power output (with 240V) and a carry case.The welder comes with the hardware you need to weld, but you'll need to supply your own sticks, welding helmet, and other protective equipment. That's how it should be; I don't need sticks of unknown quality, an origami handheld face shield, or cotton gloves. This does come with a hammer/brush (okay, since they do wear out over time) and a tape measure (weird, unless it's included as a promo item; it is identical to one I got at a trade show, after all).In terms of use, it's as simple as can be expected. I'm only running at 120V at this point, through an extension cord (10ga, the same as the wiring to the dedicated circuit with 30A breaker). The welder delivered the power I expected and performed better than the other little one I have, with no sticking issues and a really smooth arc. I know performance will vary depending on the electrode, surface, and skill, but in my amateur hands it preformed really well, much better than I expected. I don't have a current project I'm working on, so I just ran it using some scrap pieces I keep on hand for practice. I mostly used it with 6013 and it produced a smooth arc and great bead I didn't test the amperage, though I could be convinced that it reads a little low based on the stick size I was using.The case is basic (open space with no organization or molding) and a little on the thin/flimsy side, but it does fit everything. I appreciate having a case rather than stuffing everything in a box for transport. (Though yet unfulfilled, my dream has always been to take a little welder like this to a friend's house to help them out, with only 120V and a little space needed.)As noted, I only have 120V in my garage, so I've been limited by that. The other multi-voltage welders I have use 240V plugs and include an adapter to drop down to 120V. It makes sense for this one to have a 120V plug, though it means I'll need to get another adapter to step it up to the 240V. That said, if I'm using it at home, I'm going to use my bigger welder for 240V, not this one, so it's not really a consideration.I have two negatives, one big and one small. The small one is that the feet aren't on a plane, meaning that it rocks a little when placed on a flat surface. The big one is that it does not include a manual. While that's fine for my purposes, if someone is picking this up at their first ever welder and hasn't had other training, the lack of a manual is a small oversight at the factory that could have very big consequences in terms of educating the user about safe operation.Overall, I'm really happy with the performance of this welder for the price point ($100 at time of order, currently $75 at time of review). It delivers a higher output (again, with 240V) than another one of similar size and price, and the case makes it easy to store and transport.

I've had a few different welders at home as well as welding class. Lincoln to me is the best and my main one. Cost about 800-850 The one in class was I believe just under 2k but it was multi process with pulse and bunch of other settings but what a dream to weld with.Miller is built well its kinda you either prefer Lincoln or Miller. Haven't used a Hobart brand one. My first welder was the super cheap Harbor welder and it definitely had its pitfalls but for the price it really was pretty good.This seems to be more aimed at like the 2nd cheapest option at the Harbor. which I haven't used but know its a little better. So ill try to be somewhat concise but still detailed.Wire speed is directly controlled with current and computer decides how fast it should go - big drawback for me. Amperage is little off if used to brand name but if you've had a generic before it probably compares pretty close. Haven't maxed out setting but what Ive welded with and had to adjust settings to Id say its more like 130 amp give or take. I've only used flux core on this machine probably what 99 percent of people buying it are going to use. It doesn't make sense to spend all the money on gas for the price of the machine. Kinda surprised this doesn't take .023 wire but it doesn't have speed controller so i wouldn't be trying to fix sheet metal with it. Included wire splatters how cheaper wire splatters but put in some better wire and it honestly welds pretty good. The second worse thing about this welder following the no wire speed is the grip trigger and nozzle. Just really cheap worse then the one from harbor. If the price is really good and you factor in that you might need to replace that it could be ok but since it gives you no independent control of the wire I cant really recommend it.

There is a lot to like in this machine. No frills. No fake welding helmet or cheesy, dangerous gloves. No welding rod samples. You do get a cheap 'flux hammer/brush' and a tape measure (?huh.?). This welder comes with a thin but serviceable carrying case, which will hold the machine, cables, the tape, and a few sticks of rod. Nice for throwing everything into a rig to go to a job-The AC power cord and the welding cables were 'best in class' for welders in this dollar range, the work clamp side was about 6 feet long, and the stinger was about 8'. Both are 20mm squared, If I read the charts right, it's 4 guage, feels about right. The work clamp is minimal-good, and the electrode holder is excellant- heavy-metal copper-clad steel. It has a strong grip on the rod. The handle is, unfortunately, a brittle plastic- don't drop it! (ask me how I know....)The machine runs on 120 or 240 VAC, although 240 requires an adaptor cable- $19 for the one I bought. It welds ok on 120, much better than others I've tried, however at higher amperage it would trip my 20A breaker. I highly recommend 240- the machine was much happier, and the weld was much easier with the more-steady current. One heads up: The output is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than the digital readout. (see the pics). This was true on both 120 VAC and 240. I recorded max amperage at 217 Amps; not bad for a welder claiming 160 max!For the techies: my amperage test rig was a DC clamp ammeter on the negative work clamp, which reads 1 mv per amp at the 400A setting. It fed a Fluke 111 DVM, which was set to DC mV; and the Min/Max selection set to Max. I struck an arc and burned rod for several seconds to record max amps.Open circuit voltage was 71 VDC, again, with the Fluke 111.The manual included actually explained a lot- others I've reviewed were obviously generic, and mostly boilerplate warnings, mostly useless. This one has a mini-introduction to MMA and also to lift-TIG. If you want to try the TIG you'll be buying a torch, gas, and consumables. The manual also incudes drawings of welds and suggestions regarding heat and weld speed- some troubleshooting tips.My welding tests were all with 1/8" 7018 rod, and I have to say this welder handled it well. I have tried 2 other IGBT welders with more complex control settings, and always had a time with the 7018 sticking. The info for this machine doesn't make any wild claims, and you get one control- heat, (amps). If they have 'synergic' controls, they are programmed in, and work great. The arc force is great- I got good penetration at all heats, minimal 'stick', and like all welders, you have to waggle it loose if you do stick a rod.I found the build quality of the Stick MMA 160 to be very good. See the pic of the box with cover removed- the positive and negative terminals are fed by large bars, there is ample heat-sink, and even the air guide behind the fan was not cardboard, but a stiff fiberglass sheet. I had to do nothing when switching to 240, but plug in the adaptor cable. The change-over was automatic.A small item I appreciated was the substantial carry handle on the case- no fakey shoulder strap to get in the way.I think this machine will work for beginners (Like me-I've welded, but never stick before), and because it really does perform, (actually exceeded 210 amps), I could see pros using this on small jobs happily.This has become my preferred welder for stick. Recommended!PS- please don't judge my welds! The numbers under each example are the readout, not the actual amperage! See the last pic- at 160 the penetration in a mild-steel 1/8" angle iron. I was welding on the 'spine' which actually is approx 1/4" thick.