Stick welding is a common go-to welding method for repairs and DIY projects around the home and garage, and if you are on a super-tight budget, YesWelder ARC-165DS welder might be your choice.
If you browsed the internet for reviews, YesWelder ARC-165DS is often referred to as the cheapest Stick welder that will get your job done.
But, of course, as long as you don’t expect miracles out of a welder that sold for about $130 new.
I was also skeptical when I saw the price tag, which was one reason to make this YesWelder ARC-165DS Review. So let’s see what this little guy has to offer.
One thing to know up front: YesWelder no longer sells the ARC-165DS. The company removed it from its catalog, and the product page is gone. Plenty of these little machines are still working in garages and workshops, and they show up regularly on the second-hand market, so this review covers what the machine does well, where it struggles, and what to check before you buy a used unit.
YesWelder ARC-165DS Package Content & Technical Specifications
YesWelder ARC-165DS is a budget-friendly stick welder you can use for light-duty projects and repairs around the house or start getting into the world of welding. Although it is a budget welder, you will get everything you need to weld straight out of the box.
Discontinued Budget Stick Welder With Lift TIG
- ARC-165DS welding machine
- 10 ft electrode holder cable
- 10 ft work clamp cable
- 110V and 220V power adapter
- Brush for cleaning welding spatter
- Owner’s manual
Technical Specifications
| Welding Process | Stick (SMAW) / DC Lift TIG |
| Model | ARC-165DS |
| Rated Input Voltage | AC 110V and AC 220V |
| Frequency | 60Hz |
| Rated Input Current | 42A at 110V / 29A at 220V |
| Rated Output | 26.2V |
| Output Current | 20–165A |
| Rated Duty Cycle | 60% at 130A (110V) / 60% at 165A (220V) |
| Efficiency | 85% |
| Power Factor | 0.93 |
| Insulation Grade | H |
| Dimension | 14.5 × 10 × 6.3 in |
| Net Weight | 11 lbs |
Pros
- Very low price for a capable stick welder
- Light 11 lb body is easy to carry and store
- Dual voltage 110/220V with included adapter
- Smart settings set the current from electrode size
- Arc force control and VDR safety at a budget price
Cons
- Discontinued: no longer sold by YesWelder
- Dislikes 6010 and 6011 electrodes
- No TIG torch for the lift TIG mode
- Included accessories feel cheap
- Only a 1-year limited warranty
The electrode holder and work clamp seem a bit cheap, as you would expect, but they will get the job done. You also get a brush to help you clean spatter and welds, though no chipping hammer is included. Finally, the 110-220V power adapter is an excellent addition to switch between power sources.
YesWelder ARC-165DS is also capable of DC TIG welding with a lift start, but you don’t get a TIG torch. Excluding the TIG torch is a common trend in the welding market, and you don’t get one even with some pricier machines such as YesWelder YWA-160, Hobart Stickmate 160i, or Lincoln Invertec.
Nonetheless, the DC Lift TIG option in ARC-165DS is quite basic, so you shouldn’t expect much. However, you can opt for it if you decide to practice some TIG welding.
YesWelder ARC-165DS Review – Build Quality, Power, Features
After a brief overview of what you get for the money spent and technical specifications, we will get to the business. YesWelder ARC-165DS seems pretty decent on paper, but things can differ in practice. Many customers recommend YesWelder for its value compared with pricier competitors, and customer reviews also suggest it is beginner-friendly for DIY jobs and a solid fit for a hobbyist. It can work well for casual users and hobbyist workshops, but it is not aimed at professional heavy industrial use or a machine to run hard every day. Therefore, let’s see if this stick welder is worth investing in.
ARC-165DS Build Quality
The compact size of YesWelder ARC-165DS is one of the things nearly all welders complimented. This small portable machine weighs only 11 lbs, and you can easily carry it around the workshop or out on the field for repair.
As for the build, given the price tag of just over 100 bucks, ARC-165DS seems pretty decent. Even though it is lightweight, it looks sturdy and well constructed. However, given the 1-year warranty, I don’t think you should stress-test it.
One of the things I disliked was the continuously running fan. Even though you shouldn’t expect intelligent fan control in this price range, it might take some time to get used to the noise it produces.
While YesWelder ARC-165DS has a built-in handle that will help you carry it around, I got fond of shoulder straps. Today’s stick welders are compact and lightweight, just like ARC-165DS. Brand-name manufacturers such as ESAB, Lincoln, or Everlast usually provide a strap to help you put it on your shoulder when working on a ladder, or the leads are not long enough. Yet, this is just my preference, and the requirements might differ from your application.
Controls and Features
Like many stick welders on the market, YesWelder ARC-165DS is easy to use and set up. The control panel is straightforward and only features two buttons and one infinitely adjustable knob. However, some decent features will suit both beginners and seasoned welders.
Smart Settings
While Stick welding is not one of the most challenging processes to master, beginners can struggle to start or maintain the arc or deal with sticky electrodes. We have all been there, so you know how frustrating it can be.
That’s why YesWelder ARC-165DS introduced intelligent settings, which can give newbies a head-start. All you have to do is select the stick electrode diameter, and the welder will adjust the welding current automatically.
However, you should consider the given settings just as a recommendation, so you might want to tweak the current in the future.
Arc Force Feature
While beginners can enjoy smart settings, seasoned welders usually like to fine-tune their machines for the best results. While there are not too many advanced controls, an arc force feature can be helpful.
Adjusting the arc force will help the machine overcome voltage fluctuations that can impact the arc performance. For example, if you modify it, once the ARC-165DS senses the voltage drop that may occur due to unstable power input or when using long extension chords, it will compensate it to improve arc stability and overall results.
However, you should be careful not to over-tune the arc force since it can cause electrodes to stick. Nonetheless, this is a decent feature you see at the latest YesWelder YWA-160 or brand-name stick welders such as Lincoln Invertec.
VDR Safety
Welding safety should never be ignored during practice, and luckily, features such as VDR help a lot. For example, YesWelder ARC-165DS features a VDR (Voltage Reduction Device) that will lower the overall open circuit voltage after you finish welding.
Once you are done with welding, the no-load current kicks in, but the OCV usually stays high. Therefore, the electric shock hazard is present when changing electrodes or switching settings and polarity.
If you turn on the VDR, the OCV during the welding will drop from approximately 65 to a completely harmless 5-6 volts. However, keep in mind that this feature might impact the arc start.
Stick Welding Capability and Performance
The YesWelder ARC-165DS is a dual voltage stick welder rated at 165 amps at 220V and 130 amps at 110V. As a result, you can plug it into a regular 110V household outlet when dealing with 1/8″ steel or thinner, which is more than fine for light-duty home repairs and projects. This is not a MIG welder, so if you were after a wire process, look elsewhere: there is no mig gun, no gas hose, and no wire feed of any kind in the box.
However, this welder shines at 220V, where it gives just the right amount of heat and penetration. With a maximum output of 165 amps, this welder is powerful enough to weld 9/64″ thick metals.
One of the things you should keep in mind is that YesWelder ARC-165DS is an IGBT inverter. As a rule of thumb, inverters and 6010s don’t go well together. This rule can also be applied to ARC-165DS, as many welders had issues with 6010 and 6011 electrodes.
Maintaining a stable arc with these electrodes can be challenging, so even the manufacturer recommends 7018s or 6013s for best results.
However, once you choose the appropriate stick electrodes with the right amount of heat, you can achieve decent arc performance and weld quality with ARC-165DS. So even though it is the process of trial and error, once you get the hang of it, you can get high-quality results.
One of the things I liked about YesWelder ARC-165DS is the high-duty cycle. With a 60% duty cycle at 165 amps on 220V or 130 amps on 110V, you can weld for 6 minutes straight at full power before taking a 4-minute break. However, be cautious when using maximum input power, as it can flip the 20 amp breaker at 110V if you overforce it.
ARC-165DS Welder Value
Since YesWelder discontinued the ARC-165DS, the realistic way to get one today is the used market: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or local tool resale listings. Used prices usually sit below the $128.99 this machine carried when it was new, which makes its value argument even stronger. Newer models in the YesWelder lineup may offer improved capabilities and features. If you would rather buy new, YesWelder’s current stick welder is the ARC-205DS PRO, and YesWelder products are generally affordable for hobbyists. Given the price tag of YesWelder ARC-165DS, I don’t think you can get more value for the money spent. However, this super budget-friendly machine will work well and perform as long as you treat it well.
You shouldn’t expect miracles from a $100-class stick welder. So if you treat it like a $100 machine, it will last and perform. This welder is backed up by a 1-year limited warranty, but it only refers to parts or components that fail due to defects in material or workmanship.
In the past year, we have written a number of reviews on welders and plasma cutters from YesWelder. If you are still interested in this brand and wish to read them, you can find links to the rest of them here.
- Firstess CT2050 Welder/Cutter Review (has built in air compressor).
- YWA 160 Lift TIG Welder Review.
- Cut 65DS Plasma Cutter Review.
- YWM 200 Multi Process Welder Review.
- YWM 211p TIG Welder Review.
- 225p TIG Welder Review.
- MP200 Multiprocess welder Review.
- 205a Stick Welder Review.
- CUT 55DS Plasma Cutter Review.
- TIG 205DS Welder Review.
- 250p AC/DC TIG Welder
- Pro 250 MIG Aluminum Welder.
- 205ds MIG Welder Review.
Frequently Asked Questions [F.A.Q]
Is the YesWelder ARC-165DS still available?
No. YesWelder has discontinued the ARC-165DS and removed it from its catalog, so the official product page no longer exists. Used units still show up regularly on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and local second-hand listings. If you want a new machine instead, YesWelder’s current stick model is the ARC-205DS PRO.
Which electrodes work best with the ARC-165DS?
YesWelder recommends 7018 and 6013 rods, and that matches our experience. Like most IGBT inverters, this welder struggles with fast-freeze 6010 and 6011 electrodes, and the arc gets hard to hold with them. Stick to 7018 and 6013 and the machine behaves.
Can the ARC-165DS perform TIG welding?
Partly. It supports DC lift TIG, which means you start the arc by touching the tungsten to the metal. There is no high-frequency start and no TIG torch in the box, so you have to buy a torch separately. It is fine for practice and light repairs, but it is basic, and most people use the machine for stick work. Note that even with a torch, the ARC-165DS cannot weld aluminum: it is a DC machine with no AC TIG mode, and aluminum needs AC TIG or a MIG welder with a spool gun. It is not a flux core machine either, since it has no wire feed system at all.
What power does the ARC-165DS need?
It is a dual-voltage machine that runs on 110V or 220V, and the box includes a plug adapter for both. On 110V it tops out at 130 amps, which handles 1/8 in. steel and thinner. On 220V it reaches its full 165 amps.
Conclusion
So where does the YesWelder ARC-165DS stand today? If you already own one, there is little reason to replace it for light-duty repairs and home projects: it welds above its weight class, and its portable 11 lb body, dual-voltage input, smart settings, arc force control, and VDR are features that budget machines often skip. If you are shopping for one now, remember that YesWelder no longer sells it, so the used market is the realistic path, and used prices usually sit below the $128.99 it cost new. Buyers who prefer a new machine can look at the ARC-205DS PRO or see our best 120V welder guide for current picks that run on a household outlet.
