Best 110v Stick Welders: 4 Top Picks for DIY Value

The Hobart Stickmate 160i is one of the most popular stick welders for hobbyists. It’s a dual-voltage machine, but the 110V output is pretty impressive. It’s not as good as the Miller Maxstar in terms of output performance and arc stability, which is more for farm work. However, it does represent the best value for money for most people who need a stick welder.

There is a lot to like about this machine, including a weight under 20 pounds, an included shoulder strap, and the ability to run most rod compositions that matter. The Hobart Stickmate 160i handles 6010, 6011, 6013, and 7018 rods by most makers.

The Hobart Stickmate 160i features an infinitely adjustable amps setting, and it works well on metal from 24 gauge sheet up to 1/4-inch thick. Hobart machines are known for industrial build quality and smooth welding. This model delivers in that regard and Hobart backs the Stickmate 160i with a 5-year warranty.

This particular model is made for Hobart in China, something to think about if you want a genuine American-made machine by an American maker. It’s built and inspected to meet Hobart standards, however.

I didn’t expect much from the YesWelder Arc Pro 165A, but it surprisingly impressed me. While it’s also a dual-voltage machine, the 110V output worked pretty well with 6013 and 7014 rods. I struggled to get decent welds with 6010 on 110V, and 6011 rods were slightly better.

This welder features an automatic settings feature where you select your rod diameter, and the machine handles the current settings for you which is a nice feature for newbies.

I wasn’t impressed with the cheap ground clamps and felt the electrode clamp was also a little too cheap, but it’s not really expensive to replace the clamps, and the rest of the machine makes the purchase worthwhile.

This welder can also run TIG process, but you’ll need to purchase a torch, regulator and a few other pieces to add that to your arsenal.

Overall if you’re doing light duty work with 6013 or 7014 rods this machine is a great buy.

The Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST is a great little welder for beginners. At just under 10 pounds and about 12 by 10 by 6 inches, it’s compact and lightweight. For someone without a lot of extra shop space, it’s easy to store and it’s easily carried to get things done around the house.

This is a 110v only machine and the power output tops out at 90 amps, good enough to run 1/8-inch rods. Owners of the Forney Easy Weld 100ST mention smooth welding on 6011, 6013 and 7018 electrodes, although with 7018 it’s recommended that you stay below the 1/8-inch max diameter. Forney suggests running 3/32 rods when welding with 7018.

One of the nice things about the Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST is its ability to convert to TIG capability, a great feature for this price range. You’ll need to buy parts like an argon regulator and a TIG torch. The only real negatives to this machine are short 8-foot leads, and the grounding clamp has an unusual contact design. These things won’t stop you from welding, and they’re inexpensively fixed.

The is a premium professional machine with industrial build quality. It features a specific setting to accommodate 6010 rods, neatly taking care of one of the main complaints with lightweight inverter-type welders. You can be certain you’re able to run 6010 rods and it’s CSA certified, qualified to work on government jobs.

The primary buyers for the Miller Maxstar 161 S Series Stick Welder are professional welders and repair workers. One complaint offered by these users is that the digital controls can wear out or break under hard use. Professionals pay extra money to avoid this kind of problem. For the average DIY shop it’s probably not a major concern.

The Miller Maxstar 161 S Series Stick Welder gives up to 90 amps output on 110 volts, is known for smooth welding and sports a nice anti-sticking feature to avoid problems with sticking electrodes when running low current. This machine also cuts the power if you do get stuck. There’s also a power factor correction feature that yields the same arc characteristics and current level when switching between 110 volts and 240 volts.