Klutch MIG/Stick 220Si 230V Multiprocess Welder with Spoolgun - 230V, 140 Amps

Over the last few months I have purchased and returned 3 mig welders from various manufacturers. Two of them were just plain defective, but I'll tell you what I've learned. I'm a hobbyist welder and currently use an Everlast 140ST stick/tig, an AHP 200x AC tig/stick, an Ebay 50 amp plasma cutter and various other welding equipment. I've tried the transformer-based migs,...too heavy. The 120 volt migs just don't have the oomph, even at low amperage and metal thickness. This Klutch unit at 230 volts is really smooth on all functions. Mig is solid, controllable and beautiful welds. Stick function is like butter. I didn't know stick could be so easy. The aluminum spool gun is a bit of a learning curve but once you've practiced, its a nice tool to have in the box, especially since it's almost a freebie at the price of this welder. The spot weld function is something I didn't think I'd use but it's actually very handy. The welder is light, well-finished, has a nice metal wire feed roller system that looks like it will last for many years of work. I've not used it as a tig welder for much as I have the AHP for ac/dc tig, but as a DC lift-start it seems fine. Considering the price, and after bad experiences with cheaper units I'm happy to say this is an amazing value. If you only purchase one welder for your hobby or light commercial work, this would be it! I have only 2 tiny little issues with this wonderful piece of equipment. One, the amp adjustment is almost a random guess as far as the actual amps selected for stick and tig. You'll have to practice a while to get the feel of the settings. Second, the wire door is hinged at the bottom...this doesn't work too well with the regular welding carts. But then, you will own a welder that you can use to customize your welding cart!

This machine is a fair example of the modern energy efficient Inverter technology machine that works pretty well but is definitely cheaply made compared to a pro machine. Think about comparing a Chinese car to a Cadalic. Documentation is very poor. After the wire spool holder broke, I learned this unit shares interchangeable parts with Chicago Electric from HF. I moved from a Lincoln 125 MiG and wanted Aluminum and Stainless TIG and Aluminum MIG. My certification in Aluminum welding came from a summer job in the shipyard, which I was well trained in both steel stick SMAW amd GSAW MIG. I have tested the stick, MIG, Aluminum spool gun, and the Lift TIG on this unit.My Issues:1) The smaller Dinse 25 connectors are only rated for 150 amp. Running Max out at 220v, this machine is 200 amp.2) Welding Chart inside front cover is moderately inaccurate. After some issues, I contacted the support to get actual power settings for the numbered dial and built the graphs and charts. Comparing the chart to recommend settings for the material and type of welding with charts from a blue machine rated at the same power, I think the Klutch chart was a guess and not from actual tests.3) There is no possibility of a foot pedal for TIG. Lift start only. You are grinding your tips more often.4) At about 55 amps my TIG and stick pulses off and on every few seconds. Annoying!5) Optional WP 17 torch has a manual gas valve that if you turn completely off, you need two hands to turn on. Very annoying and wasteful of gas when you have to set up again for your weld with gas on.6) stick head clamp for rod is super cheap and is very poor at holding rod. You will need to grind out some properly sized groves.7) Wipe the plastic cover with a dab of acetone and it melts—more than schedule 40 PVC- Not Stable. Low temp plastic.8) with 0.035 MiG wire, I had to crank the tensioner down 110% to get smooth wire speed.9) If the machine is tilted slightly on a welding cart, the side door does not fit and closes poorly.You know, I wasn’t ready to spend $3000 for the nice Miller for the amount of work I do, but I definitely think I should have paid more for a more professionally built machine.By the way, One of the guys I know from my Men’s meeting use to be in the business of fake positive reviews. It is a big business. I am always skeptical of a leading 5 star review that seems contrived when my experience is significantly different.

excellent welder so far. plenty of power. really like that it is so small and light. would defiantly recommend it to any one.

I purchased the Klutch 220si because it came with the aluminum spool gun included for about the same price as a Hobart Handler 190 without the gun (an additional $230). I liked that it's inverter instead of the transformer. It weighs 1/3 what the Hobart weighs but don't let light when convince you that it must be cheap. I've used my welder at least monthly, often times several times a week and it's been 100% flawless since the day I opened the box. I have a wood boiler with some thin walls in the firebox. I was concerned at first because specs show minimal thickness for this welder is several gauges of thickness less than other welders but it does a fantastic job patching places where the walls of the boiler are almost paper thin, easily 24-26 gauge and have no problem with burning holes when I turn the settings down to 1/2. One of the absolute best features of this welder that I have not seen mentioned here is that you can leave your mig gun hooked up while using your spool gun. There is no need to unhook one to use the other. This welder has a 1" opening above the Mig gun for the gas and electric wire, all you need to do is unhook the gas hose inside the door panel from one gun to the other and remove the 5 pin plug at the front of the machine and plug in the gun you're using, flip the switch from Mig to Spool and you are ready to weld. This is definitely a feature you don't find on any other economy welder capable of welding aluminum and saves a ton of time and pre work when it comes to switching between materials you are welding. I've been welding for 20 years and I've ran everything from Millermatic's to Hobarts and everything in between and I will guarantee you that for the price and the way this little welder operates you can not go wrong if you're looking for a good cheap welder that can do what the $1500-$3000 welders can do.