HONE ARC Welder, Actual 185Amp 110V/220V Stick Welder with Lift Tig Function, Digital IGBT Inverter Welding Machine with Hot Start Arc Force Anti-Stick VRD, High Duty Cycle for 1/16"-5/32" Welding Rod

I was a Union Ironworker a bunch of years ago and multi-certified welder. After moving to another home, I didn't have 220v available in my out-building rendering my old Century welder useless. Cost to run a line was going to be crazy expensive. I researched the many options for something else that could run on 110v and when narrowing down the field, I determined this Hone 185a - 110v/220v was the best option for these kinds of portable welders. I bought this in April, 2024 and it is now mid-June, 2024 and can say confidently, this was a good choice. I can lay down some very nice looking beads with deep penetration using 6013 - 3/32" @ 65-70a and it runs 7018 rod equally well making this the perfect little home/small-project-use welder. I also experimented running uphill & overhead welds with the same 6013 and it works with a little finesse using the control knob. I don't know how this small welder would hold up in a continuous use job site environment, but that's not what most folks would buy a welder of this size & capacity for in the first place.My only annoyances (yes, we Americans love to complain about things right/wrong) with this welder, is that the leads should be longer as well as the power cord. Yes, you can run an extension power cord (sufficiently sized), but that still keeps the unit itself a little too close to the actual work zone. It's ok when working with small physical sized projects, but not all projects are small in overall size. The other complaint is that the stinger is a little wonky/cheap, but it works fine and I'll keep using it until I really need to replace it. The ground seems ok, albeit a little light weight. I am going to look at resurrecting some of my old long heavy leads and heavier stinger & ground from the old Century to adapt to the Hone welder and I'll be a much happier camper. I like the size of this little welder and that it is oh-so-portable with being 110v powered. Right now, I don't know if I will ever have a need for 220v, but knowing this little welder is capable of running on it, puts my mind at ease.I read some reviews where some folks were complaining about this welder's inability to run 6010/5p rods...in my experience, that's not a good rod to begin with in that it splatters almost as much as it lays down metal. The only thing that stuff is good for is deep penetration better used on old crappy rust surface metal...like old farm equipment. I think a lot of inexperienced welders think they are doing "something" when they are causing sparks to fly 20ft. I'd suggest reading up on welding rod specifications before purchasing any rod and only buy quality rod (crappy rod=crappy weld). Also, some folks mentioned they were popping 110v breakers...you would probably do best with a dedicated 20amp circuit (12ga wiring/not 14ga) and avoid having a GFCI outlet. If you need to run an extension cord, use as heavy gauge as you can...the lightweight stuff is going to be problematic.Wrapping up, there are many of these little 110v inverter welders flooding the market. I would suggest staying with the 110v/220v capable machines instead of 110v only as they appear to be functionally built better and provide power options you may need. There are plenty of reviews & videos available that you need to decide for yourself if they are truthful or just pushing product simply for personal gain...so, please do your own due diligence before purchasing. I'm happy with this one.***Note: I was not paid, promised or given any free products in exchange for this review.

Used it once so far, used 3/32" 6013 rods to fix a utility trailer. Ran it on 120VAC, and performed well. Instruction manual is vague, but enough to get you going. If you are a beginner, maybe someone you know can help on hot to set your controls, or just play with it. If you know how to weld, it's a easy machine to use. Leads are not too long, but the welder is super light, so keeping it near the work will be easy. Later on I will make longer leads. For the money, it's a great unit. I have a old Hobart 220VAC, this welds so far just as good.

This is not my first small welder and the huge amount out there to pick from is frustrating. Like I said I bought others and someone said try this one. On 220 with 6013 1/8 rod works perfect and 100% duty welding as you should. Not aggressive as sometime needed using my ranger 8. Unlike leads on the competitive small Welders advertised along side of this one, theses leads are twice the size and pretty long. You can teach you kid how to weld with this in about 2 hours. I tried 6010, but used 3/32 too small. It burned it well, but 6010 needs a good swipe and pause so, I get to that later. Filet weld 6013 give a professional result. I own about 15 Welders, this one is the most surprising and worth twice as much. ILL BE CHECK OTHER HONE PROFUCTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. OH YEAH IM ON HERE BUY A SECOND ONE RIGHT NOW.

Let’s be honest, for what it costs shipped overnight, it’s not going to be unbelievably good. I fully tested it (metered it and everything). It’s definitely useable, and works good for what it is. The good: super portable/small, outputs a lot of power on 110, runs 7018 smooth, is pretty quiet, and has long leads. The bad: the amp reading display and the amp sticker on the knob are way off. When run on 110 volt set for 90 amps it does indeed put out 90 amps. When set for 130 on the display it outputs 115. On 220volts when set for 90 it outputs 115 amps. When set for 60 it outputs 75. When set for 140 it actually outputs 140 amps. So basically the only time the display and sticker are even close to accurate is at 90 amps when on 110 volt and 140amps on 220. I would have liked to see them just get rid of the display and have a accurate sticker. The other negative is it won’t run 6010 rods, the arc will go out consistently. It will run 6011 well. Open circuit voltage is 80 volts which is generally good for 6010 but it’s tough to keep it lit. I figured that wouldn’t work (despite their claims) so no surprise there.Basically if you have some small work to do around the home I don’t think you will be disappointed with it. 6013 and 7018 will run good. Just keep in mind the settings are off on the hot side. I am just going to sharpie ideal display settings based on voltage/rod diameter on the unit and use it anytime I need to burn a couple rods and don’t feel like dragging a bigger welder out. It will probably last a couple years of light duty (75-90 amp) use. Honestly I am pretty happy with the purchase. If they got the amp meter or chart dead on for atleast one voltage I would give it 5 stars.

Very good little stick welder. Used an clamp meter to measure amps, this welder is actually accurate to its srt amperage, unlike most of the cheap welders. It starts with a hot start, in my measurements its about 20% over for the start. Then it runs within a couple amps of the setting. Very good small and accurate stick welder for home owner and diy use