Last Updated on May 2022
Did you know that “amico” means “friend” in Italian? If you’re a welder by trade or an amateur welding enthusiast, Amico is a great friend to have. It’s a world-class leader in the industrial market, and today we’re going to talk about the Amico 160 Amp DC Stick Welder as one of the premier arc welder models you’ll ever use.
What Is Stick Welding?
Stick welding is sometimes referred to as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (or SMAW for short) – it is the use of an electrode or similar electric source to join two (or more) metal parts together.
The electrode’s core is composed of a metal rod surrounded by mineral compound-based covering, various metal powders, and a special binding agent which helps adhere them straight to the electrode’s surface.
The purpose of stick welding isn’t just to join several metal pieces together – it’s doing so in the easiest and safest way possible. The process can be very dangerous, but even the greenest of beginners will easily get the hang of it in mere months of practice.
Amico Stick Welder Specifications
Weight
Lightweight arc welders are always in short supply, so make sure not to ponder too much whether the Amico will do the job – we can guarantee it will. It weighs only 18 pounds, and it’s one of the lightest inverter welders ever built.
If you need an easily portable welder, this is the one for you. Small and convenient, the Amico 160 amp DC stick welder can be easily transported from place to place without fatiguing you in the slightest.
Invert Design
The inverter design is just one of the many reasons why people love the Amico stick welding machine so much. This design brings a plethora of benefits to the table; among them are the size, efficiency, stability, and cost.
Inverter welders, by default, are substantially smaller than regular arc welders. To top it all, they can weld twice as much in the same amount of time, and they’re superior in terms of stability. Even though they cost more initially, inverter welders use fewer consumables and are more cost-effective by a long shot.
Duty Cycle
A duty cycle is an arc welder’s “cooldown” period described in percentage. For instance, a welding machine with a duty cycle of 40% needs to “cool off” for 6 minutes after 4 minutes of continuous work. That’s why Amico’s 160 is so great, as its duty cycle is estimated at 60% at full 160 amps.
Note that the duty cycle limit applies only if you’re using your welder at full power – the cooldown period will be shorter if you don’t use the entirety of 160 amps. The duty cycle will progressively rise as you lower the amperage.
Price Point
It’s completely puzzling how such a great arc welding machine can be as cheap as Amico stick welder. Namely, it belongs to the medium bracket of the “affordable” price point category, and it just might be the single most valuable arc welder for light duty work.
LED Display
Amico’s 160 amp DC stick comes outfitted with a neat LED display – that’s great, but how is it even remotely useful? Well, for starters, the LED display is more visible, hence easier to use than standard digital controls. Additionally, seeing a light flashing in the faulty section will easily tell you where the problem has struck.
Playing bothersome guessing games can be tiresome, and it can also propel you to hastily jump to conclusions and potentially damage a part that was otherwise perfectly functional. That’s just one of the reasons why an LED display is more convenient than the latter.
Comes With All Required Accessories
Bonus features and goodies are always welcome, especially because they’re completely free. Professional brands know what every welder needs, so these “complementary features” aim to help you utilize your arc welding machine’s potential to the max.
Now, Amico’s 160 welder comes with an electrode holder outfitted with a 10-foot cable, a work clam outfitted with a 10-foot cable, a power adapter cable, and a plug for the adapter.
Pros and Cons
Great Price Point And Performance
Pros and intermediate-level welders usually skip cheap arc welders, but even those who wouldn’t mind paying a fortune for quality will say that Amico’s 160 DC welder is one of the finest in the price range.
Due to its exquisite inverter design, this welding machine casts a long shadow above its competitors – its performance is unmatched, and it can easily go toe to toe with its more expensive counterparts.
Ready To Weld Out Of The Box
People aren’t usually too inclined to wait when something needs to be welded down – going shopping for clamps, electrode holders, and cables can be quite a bothersome and trivial task, which is why the Amico’s complementary features are so useful.
You will be able to start welding as soon as you get your package, as it comes with:
- a premium-quality machine,
- an electrode holder,
- clamps and
- all the corresponding cables.
DC Compatible Only
The fact that Amico’s 160 is only able to power via DC is not such a big deal. Only a handful of people rely on AC when welding is in question, and only then this could be perceived as a potential downfall.
Regardless, the Amico stick welding machine works like a beast on DC, so if you don’t intend to weld in places where DC is non-existent, this welding machine is completely faultless.
