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The Everlast PowerARC 160STH provides a balanced welding bundle. It comes with plenty of power and such versatile features as the ability to switch between TIG and stick welding. It also comes from the manufacturer that is committed to producing high quality, durable products. And this machine is no exception. Moreover, it’s simple to use and has a great price-to-features ratio. Learn more about all the features that come with this product by reading this Everlast PowerArc 160STH review.
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Table of Contents
Our Review
Who Should Buy It?
This power-packed welder is a good option for almost anyone. It offers TIG/Arc and dual voltage versatility. It means that whether you’re a first timer, DIYer or even a professional, you’ll find it to be an efficient tool.
It’s very easy to set up, so if you’ll be welding for the first time in your life, you’ll still be able to produce some fairly decent work. If you’re a more experienced welder, on the other hand, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to do finer welding work with a lot of attention to detail. But then you can also quickly switch to beading 1/4″ plate.
You can use the PowerArc 160STH to weld a variety of metals, including steel, stainless, cast iron and others. You can also weld aluminum, though with stick welding option only, as this machine operates only with DC voltage.
In all, this is a great welder for the yard or garage projects, as well as portable welding repair and professional shop work.
Portable Design
The Everlast PowerArc 160STH comes in a small, lightweight design. You can easily pick it up and move it to any location for your welding work. Of course, where there’s power. So it’s also great for those providing mobile welding services or those that need to be able to easily move it around for performing daily welding projects around the shop.
Dual Voltage
Stick And TIG Versatility
As we’ve mentioned above, the PowerARC 160STH comes with Stick and TIG capability. So if you’re working on more precise welds that require a lot of attention to detail, you can switch to TIG and create the most aesthetically pleasing welds. For example, it’s perfect for artwork and ornamental designs.
On the other hand, if you need to weld cast iron, steel, or aluminum, you can switch to the Stick process. It’s also an easier to handle process for beginners and is perfect for projects performed outdoors or in windy conditions.
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HF And Lift Start
This TIG/Stick welder also offers two start options: lift and high frequency. The high frequency is considered to be the much easier and cleaner start. It’s a non-contact starting method, creating almost no contamination. It’s also the preferable start option for welding aluminum and when working in windy conditions.
The Lift start also has its benefits. You can use it if you prefer working without the pedal or if the high frequency start can create interference with radios, computers, or other electronic equipment. It can also be handy when welding in awkward positions.
Power
The welder also provides plenty of power with the operating range being 10 to 160 amps. There’s a digital display on the unit that will help you choose the precise current setting for your particular project.
The duty cycle for the machine is 35% at 160 amps. So if you’re running the welder at full power, you’ll have a 3.5 minute period before you’ll need to stop and let the machine cool down for 6.5 minutes. Keep in mind that if your work requires high productivity, this might restrict your efficiency. However, if you’re not doing professional engineering, this duty cycle should be sufficient for your work.
IGBT Inverter Design
Another benefit of this Everlast welding machine is the IGBT inverter design. It’s what provides the excellent performance of the unit. So what you get are a stable, smooth arc, an auto-regulated arc force control, and an auto-adaptive hot start.
Everlast PowerARC 160STH Pros And Cons
Pros
- Dual voltage versatility.
- Stick and TIG capability.
- HF and Lift start.
- Small and portable IGBT inverter design.
- Excellent performance with a stable arc.
- Auto-adaptive hot start.
- Auto-regulated arc force control.
- Simple to set up and use.
- Includes impact resistant carry case.
- 5 year warranty for parts and labor.
Cons
- No foot pedal included. It has to be purchased separately.
- No AC option, so this product might not be the option for you if your work requires welding a lot of aluminum. You can DC stick weld aluminum but you’ll need a separate more expensive aluminum rod and it’s an overall more complicated welding process.
- Doesn’t have enough power for heavy-duty, industrial work.
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Bottom Line
The Everlast PowerARC 160STH is an efficient welder that can help you complete your welding projects with speed and ease. It’s a versatile machine that offers a good amount of power and a handful of useful features and settings that will allow you to tackle a variety of welding projects. On top of that, it’s competitively priced and comes with a good warranty. So it’s a great buy if you’re looking for a multi-purpose welding machine for handling mostly light duty jobs.
If you’re also looking for welding protective equipment, check out our gloves and welding helmet reviews.