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.

So far this little welder has been great. I checked the amp output and it has been +5A for the first 2/3 of the dial and dead-on for the last 1/3 of the setting dial. Hot-start works and goes up to 220A on 240V, for a second, and up to 185A on 120V. Hot-start seems not a percentage of set amperage, so when you weld on 30A it also start-jumps to 185A when on 120V. Something to remember when welding thinner materials. It runs 5/32" 7018 rods on 130A without any problems. OCV on mine is ~77-78V and starts 6010 (Blue Demon rods) without issues. It keeps the arc going if you do your part. Closed current voltage while welding 3/32" 6010 rods hovers between 25-31V, on the low side for 6010. Maybe the Blue Demon rods are more forgiving. We'll see how long this machine lasts, but for $100 shipped it has been a great learning experience.

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.

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.

look on You Tube for hands on review the 185D 120v/220v will do you well. Whatever welder you choose you will not go wrong with this one. Current meter is correct for displayed amps, hot start works well. Cons: If you don't have a welder get the 120v/220v model in whatever you choose would not get a 120v only welder you will wind up tripping your home breaker if you max the welder out. Will not run 6010 or 5P rods well it will run them but you will need to be close to the arc puddle and really watch what your doing and hand rod end position open circuit voltage 80vdc wish it was higher. But none and I mean none of the small inverter welders will do 6010 well think they keep the open circuit voltage low for safety. Older and transformer welders have higher open voltage if your a older welder when you lift from the puddle you will draw a large arc of course if you drop the stinger in the puddle of water your standing in you will know it. If you want a combo welder flux core Mig or solid core and stick capable Azzuno, Yes Welder, Arc captain are a good choice. Arc captain has sent a lot of welders to You Tubers for free to try out they do well and have a huge advertising base by doing this. Maybe they will send me one. I have a Titanium 125 and like it also but its not as powerful as the others mentioned. Would get Yes mig wire to run in your machine get it off Amazon do not run the Harbor Freight wire its crap. Yes wire less splatter, better weld. Good luck and happy welding

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.

Great welder easy to start an ark anti stick feature works perfectly. I was at it for hours before I finally had a rod stick and I've only welded a hand full of times zero experience was able to pick right up on it unlike the Chicago electric I've used before was really bad at starting and the heat had to be way up this little welder puts out some serious amps of power probably not the rated 140amp but I was in the 55-60amp range running on a 110v 15 amp gfi without tripping on a 20 amp circuit breaker for my garage Wich is dedicated. I fixed my jaw for my vise right away now it's by no means pretty it I've seen some nice work come from this welder on others review I suggest you but this stop looking around for a cheap reliable usable inverter welder. It's amp meter is said to be off but I find it to be pretty true without testing it with a meter. It's only con is it is really to small it's almost needs to be strapped down to prevent it moving when you pull out the leads fits in a standard laptop back or backpack can be ran on a 12ga extension cord if one needed to for small repairs. It's said to be able to run on a generator 4000 watt was recommended by manufacturer I bet it would run on a little 2000watt I have not tried it but the draw is surprisingly low now I was only welding bracket) Angle iron and the vise jaw was probably the thickest I tried running a 6013 3/32 rod I believe.

Just learning how to weld and this is a great starter machine! Easy to set up and was welding Tee-joints in about an hour. The welds were ugly but they held (used 3/32" 7018 at 110 amps). The amp meter seems accurate and consistent. For the $$ I am very pleased with this machine! UPDATE: Just tried using 1/8” 6013 rods (120 amps) and it was very smooth. I’m really loving this little machine! UPDATE #2: I spent the last 2 months churning out dozens of horseshoe holiday crafts and even did a project using 1/2" hardened steel plate mostly with 1/8" 6013 rods at 115amps using just 110 power. This little machine handled everything without skipping a beat... not a single hiccup! Never bogged down or over heated. I do turn it on and let it run for a minute before burning the first rod, and that seems to help minimize the initial ignition and rod sticking issues. In short, this has been super fun to use and has already paid for itself!!