$49.49*: HONE Stick Welder 110V Mini Portable Welding Machine at Amazon

Shamalama206

Jul 14, 2025 5:15 PM

98 Comments

Joined Jun 2015

Shamalama206Jul 14, 2025 5:15 PM

98 Comments

What's the use case for this device as someone who has never welded but might want to dabble with no real projects in mind?

2

Tai-Pan

Jul 14, 2025 6:11 PM

116 Comments

Joined Jul 2011

Tai-PanJul 14, 2025 6:11 PM

116 Comments

Quote from Shamalama206

:

What's the use case for this device as someone who has never welded but might want to dabble with no real projects in mind?

These little welders are actually fairly competent. Stick welding is more of an art than MIG, though, so don't expect to be welding perfect dimes right out of the box. If you just want to stick some stuff together, for $50, this is hard to beat.

I am a terrible self-taught welder, and I prefer MIG, but they take up a lot of space, are comparatively expensive, and can't be used outdoors as easily.
When I finish my project (resorting my classic car) I will probably just get rid of my mig and keeps a little stick welder like this around for small projects.

2

BraveTeam7995

Jul 14, 2025 6:34 PM

711 Comments

Joined Dec 2021

BraveTeam7995Jul 14, 2025 6:34 PM

711 Comments

Quote from Shamalama206

:

What's the use case for this device as someone who has never welded but might want to dabble with no real projects in mind?

don't try it ... stick with mig for beginners , you'll end up welding your self with this thing

1

diveborg

Jul 15, 2025 1:06 AM

7K Comments

Joined May 2006

diveborgJul 15, 2025 1:06 AM

7K Comments

Quote from Shamalama206

:

What's the use case for this device as someone who has never welded but might want to dabble with no real projects in mind?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY4PD...i_atc&th=1 would be a better choice for beginner welding. Flux core MIG is like a hot glue gun for metal. Because it is flux core, it doesn't need shielding gas so it can be used outdoors.

2

1

Gowa

Jul 15, 2025 7:53 AM

42 Comments

Joined May 2018

GowaJul 15, 2025 7:53 AM

42 Comments

Quote from Tai-Pan

:

These little welders are actually fairly competent. Stick welding is more of an art than MIG, though, so don't expect to be welding perfect dimes right out of the box. If you just want to stick some stuff together, for $50, this is hard to beat. I am a terrible self-taught welder, and I prefer MIG, but they take up a lot of space, are comparatively expensive, and can't be used outdoors as easily. When I finish my project (resorting my classic car) I will probably just get rid of my mig and keeps a little stick welder like this around for small projects.

Is it true that you can use a tablet for welding and it won't affect your eyes—like you can watch and weld without any special protective equipment?

newjack

Jul 15, 2025 12:44 PM

168 Comments

Joined Jan 2009

newjackJul 15, 2025 12:44 PM

168 Comments

You might want to look at Hitbox inverter welder which is capable of mig as well as stick. I purchased one for a family member and was quite surprised at how well it worked. I believe it was $60ish at the time of purchase.

Tai-Pan

Jul 15, 2025 8:09 PM

116 Comments

Joined Jul 2011

Tai-PanJul 15, 2025 8:09 PM

116 Comments

Quote from Gowa

:

Is it true that you can use a tablet for welding and it won't affect your eyes—like you can watch and weld without any special protective equipment?

I have no idea if this is a joke? If, on the off chance, you are not joking, I mean, if you were able to look only at a tablet then yes it might work, but how are you going to weld anything with a tablet in your face? In addition, your peripheral vision would be so blinded that I don't think you would be able to keep your eyes open. Also, metal splatters. A cheap welding helmet from Harbor Freight is like $40.

I am fully aware that there are people doing safety-squint welding in 3rd world countries. Would not recommend.

1

Caleo

Jul 15, 2025 8:27 PM

6.8K Comments

Joined Dec 2004

CaleoJul 15, 2025 8:27 PM

6.8K Comments

Quote from Shamalama206

:

What's the use case for this device as someone who has never welded but might want to dabble with no real projects in mind?

Basic metal fabrication / repairs.. frames/legs for shelves/benches/tables/chairs, brackets, etc.. permanently mounting things on metal, repairing cracked welds (e.g. on yard equipment, trailers, etc.)

adnj

Jul 15, 2025 8:35 PM

680 Comments

Joined Dec 2007

adnjJul 15, 2025 8:35 PM

680 Comments

Quote from Tai-Pan

:

These little welders are actually fairly competent. Stick welding is more of an art than MIG, though, so don't expect to be welding perfect dimes right out of the box. If you just want to stick some stuff together, for $50, this is hard to beat.

I am a terrible self-taught welder, and I prefer MIG, but they take up a lot of space, are comparatively expensive, and can't be used outdoors as easily.
When I finish my project (resorting my classic car) I will probably just get rid of my mig and keeps a little stick welder like this around for small projects.

I learned how to stick weld first and then added MIG. But neither process is so difficult that most people that are good with their hands can't do a pretty good job.

If you want to weld steel over 1/8 of an inch, start to learn by using stick welding (SMAW). If you want to weld steel tubing and sheet metal, start to learn by using flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) or MIG. Stick welding will let you better match the thickness and condition of the material much more easily by just changing the electrode. Flux core will make you swap out an entire spool of wire, and probably do multiple passes for the heavier stuff.

SquirtTortuga

Jul 15, 2025 11:59 PM

2.8K Comments

Joined Feb 2008

SquirtTortugaJul 15, 2025 11:59 PM

2.8K Comments

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Quote from Tai-Pan

:

I have no idea if this is a joke? If, on the off chance, you are not joking, I mean, if you were able to look only at a tablet then yes it might work, but how are you going to weld anything with a tablet in your face? In addition, your peripheral vision would be so blinded that I don't think you would be able to keep your eyes open. Also, metal splatters. A cheap welding helmet from Harbor Freight is like $40.

I am fully aware that there are people doing safety-squint welding in 3rd world countries. Would not recommend.

Just adding - when I was young and started welding, nobody told me the hell of a sunburn you can get on your face, arms, legs, etc if you're not covered. Lesson learned the hard way. I am telling those reading this.

5

1

Kachur

Jul 16, 2025 2:51 PM

1.9K Comments

Joined Feb 2004

KachurJul 16, 2025 2:51 PM

1.9K Comments

Quote from SquirtTortuga

:

Just adding - when I was young and started welding, nobody told me the hell of a sunburn you can get on your face, arms, legs, etc if you're not covered. Lesson learned the hard way. I am telling those reading this.

Also you can get bad case of chicken dance if you do your welding in crocks and pieces of molten metal get between your toes. Learned hard way too.

1

vo_danh

Jul 16, 2025 3:21 PM

6.6K Comments

Joined Jul 2010

vo_danhJul 16, 2025 3:21 PM

6.6K Comments

Quote from newjack

:

you might want to look at hitbox inverter welder which is capable of mig as well as stick. i purchased one for a family member and was quite surprised at how well it worked. i believe it was $60ish at the time of purchase.

link plz

z9z91

Jul 16, 2025 3:44 PM

2.9K Comments

Joined Feb 2010

z9z91Jul 16, 2025 3:44 PM

2.9K Comments

Quote from Tai-Pan

:

I have no idea if this is a joke? If, on the off chance, you are not joking, I mean, if you were able to look only at a tablet then yes it might work, but how are you going to weld anything with a tablet in your face? In addition, your peripheral vision would be so blinded that I don't think you would be able to keep your eyes open. Also, metal splatters. A cheap welding helmet from Harbor Freight is like $40. I am fully aware that there are people doing safety-squint welding in 3rd world countries. Would not recommend.

First world problem. In India, people just cover their face with their left hand whilst welding with their right hand

stormfreak00

Jul 16, 2025 4:15 PM

23 Comments

Joined Feb 2017

stormfreak00Jul 16, 2025 4:15 PM

23 Comments

Be warned that if you plug this into a 15A outlet, you'll trip the breaker at a ~55A draw.

diveborg

Jul 16, 2025 5:04 PM

7K Comments

Joined May 2006

diveborgJul 16, 2025 5:04 PM

7K Comments

Quote from vo_danh

:

link plz

How about this unit for $80 after coupon. It's $10 cheaper than the less attractive looking Hitbox

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSBSK...i_atc&th=1

It's $10 cheaper than the less attractive looking Hitbox
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8YHJ...F0aWM&th=1

Last edited by diveborg July 16, 2025 at 10:06 AM.

$49.49*: HONE Stick Welder 110V Mini Portable Welding Machine at Amazon

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