DEKOPRO MMA Welder Review [2023 Review]

What We Thought (full review below!)

Reflecting on our experience with the DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder, we find ourselves genuinely satisfied with this purchase. It has consistently met, and at times, exceeded our expectations, especially considering its affordability.

The ease of use, coupled with its reliable performance in various tests, has made this welder a valuable addition to our toolkit.

Hello and welcome to our in-depth review of the DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder. As people who run a fairly established side hustle in welding, we’ve always felt the need for a portable welding option. This necessity led us to the DEKOPRO Welder, a find on Amazon that promised both affordability and mobility.

Why did we choose this particular model, you might ask? Well, the answer is simple. In the realm of welding, having a portable unit can be a game-changer, especially when you’re frequently on the move or need to tackle jobs in different locations. The DEKOPRO Welder stood out due to its compact size, making it a potentially perfect fit for our requirements. It was reasonably priced, which added to its appeal. Given the cost, we were initially skeptical about its performance but curious to see how it would fare in real-world applications.

In this review, we’ll take you through our journey with the DEKOPRO Welder. From the unboxing experience to its performance in various welding scenarios, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview. Our initial impressions centered around its lightweight design and user-friendly interface, factors that are crucial for any portable welding unit. The question, however, remained: Could this affordably priced welder deliver the results we needed? Let’s dive in and find out.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder is a compact and sleek unit, reflecting a thoughtful design that balances aesthetics with functionality. Its size is notably small, making it an unobtrusive addition to any workspace. The build quality is robust, offering a sense of durability despite its lightweight nature. The design is straightforward, with user accessibility clearly in mind. The controls are intuitively placed, allowing for ease of operation even for beginners.

A standout feature of the DEKOPRO Welder is its digital readout for amperage. This digital display is a convenient tool, offering immediate feedback on your settings. While we can’t vouch for its precision down to the last digit, its general accuracy seems reliable. The ability to tune your settings easily is invaluable, especially for those who value precision in their welding work.

The power cord of the welder is of moderate quality. It’s not the heaviest gauge, but it serves its purpose for the kind of tasks this welder is intended for. However, for those planning to use this machine under more demanding conditions, it’s something to keep in mind. The cord’s flexibility and length are adequate, providing enough room to maneuver around your workspace.

One of the most impressive features of the DEKOPRO Welder is its dual voltage compatibility. It comes equipped with a standard 220V outlet, along with an adapter for 110V, enhancing its versatility. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who work in various locations with different power supplies. The ability to switch between voltages without needing additional equipment is a significant advantage, adding to the unit’s overall practicality.

When it comes to portability, the DEKOPRO Welder shines. Its small footprint allows it to fit effortlessly behind the seat of a truck or in any compact space. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry, a crucial aspect for a portable welder. Whether moving it from site to site or simply rearranging your workspace, the ease of transportation this welder offers is a clear win for any mobile welder or hobbyist who values convenience and flexibility.

Welding Performance

Quality and Length The DEKOPRO Welder comes with surprisingly good quality leads and connectors, which is a pleasant surprise given its price point. The leads are sufficiently long, measuring about 10 feet, providing ample reach for various welding tasks. This length is particularly beneficial when working on larger projects or in spaces where mobility is key. The gauge of the material used for the leads seems adequate, ensuring reliable performance without being overly cumbersome.

The connectors are equipped with standard DINSE (or DIN) connectors, known for their reliability in establishing a secure connection. These connectors make attaching and detaching the leads straightforward, an aspect that enhances the overall user experience, especially for those who need to set up or pack up their welding equipment frequently.

The ground clamp provided with the DEKOPRO Welder is relatively basic, but it gets the job done. It may not have the robustness of more expensive models, but for light to moderate use, it holds up well. The stinger, on the other hand, is quite satisfactory. It feels solid in hand and maintains a good grip on the electrodes, a crucial factor for stable and efficient welding.

What You Get for the Cost When evaluating the price-to-performance ratio of the DEKOPRO Welder, it’s clear that this unit offers considerable value. For its cost, which is on the lower end of the spectrum in the welding machine market, it provides a commendable level of performance.

This welder is especially ideal for hobbyists or those who need a secondary, portable unit for light to medium-duty tasks. The combination of decent build quality, adequate performance, and the inclusion of essential features like dual voltage compatibility and digital readout enhances its appeal. It’s important to have realistic expectations – this isn’t a welder designed for heavy industrial use, but for everyday projects and portability, it delivers more than what its price tag might suggest.

Practical Testing

Test 1: 60 13 Electrode at 65 and 75 amps on 120V

For the first practical test, we used a 60 13 electrode, initially setting the DEKOPRO Welder to 65 amps on a 120V outlet. The welder ran smoothly at this setting, laying down consistent beads. However, we felt the need for a bit more heat for better penetration. Consequently, we increased the amperage to 75 amps. This adjustment resulted in a noticeable improvement in the weld quality. The beads were more uniform, and the increased heat facilitated better fusion with the base material.

• Observations: Performance, Heat Settings, and Weld Quality
  Throughout this test, the DEKOPRO Welder demonstrated its capability to adapt to different heat settings effectively. The digital readout was particularly helpful in making precise adjustments. The weld quality at both 65 and 75 amps was quite satisfactory, especially considering the machine’s compact size and price point. The welds were consistent, and the arc stability was commendable.

Test 2: 1/8 inch 60 13 Electrode at 105 amps on 110V

In the second test, we used a 1/8 inch 60 13 electrode, pushing the welder to 105 amps while still connected to a 110V outlet. The welder managed to run the electrode, but it seemed to struggle slightly, indicating that we were approaching its limits on a 110V supply. The bead appeared a bit colder than expected for 105 amps, suggesting that the actual output might have been lower.

• Comparison: Performance on 110V vs. 240V
  To further explore the welder’s capabilities, we switched the power supply to a 240V outlet, maintaining the same settings. The difference in performance was stark. On 240V, the welder ran the 1/8 inch electrode much more effectively, producing a hotter and more penetrating weld. This test clearly demonstrated the machine’s enhanced capability when operated on a higher voltage supply.
• Limitations: Maximum Effective Output on 110V
  From these tests, it’s evident that while the DEKOPRO Welder performs adequately on a 110V supply, its output is somewhat limited. For lighter tasks and thinner materials, it’s quite sufficient. However, for more demanding tasks, especially those requiring higher amperage, switching to a 240V supply unlocks the full potential of the welder. This dual voltage flexibility is a significant advantage, but it’s important to recognize the performance boundaries when using the lower voltage option.

Advanced Testing

Test 3: 6011 Electrode Performance

Moving into more advanced testing, we decided to evaluate the DEKOPRO Welder’s performance with a 6011 electrode. This type of electrode is known for its deep penetration and is often used in situations requiring strong, durable welds. We started with an amperage setting of around 105 amps, which is typically suitable for a 6011 electrode of this size. The welder handled the electrode well, maintaining a stable arc throughout the process.

• Adjustments: Amperage Settings for Optimal Performance
  During the initial run with the 6011 electrode, we observed that the weld appeared slightly hotter than we preferred. To adjust for this, we reduced the amperage to about 100 amps. This minor tweak made a noticeable difference, resulting in a more controlled and aesthetically pleasing weld bead. It highlighted the welder’s ability to finely tune the settings to suit different electrodes and welding conditions.

Test 4: 1/8 inch 7018 Electrode at Various Amperages

Next, we tested the welder with a 1/8 inch 7018 electrode, known for its ease of use and smooth bead appearance. We began at a higher setting of 140 amps, which is at the upper end of the recommended range for this electrode size. The welder impressively handled this setting, laying down a hot, deep penetrating bead.

• Welding Thicker Materials: Challenges and Successes
  This test was particularly significant as it demonstrated the DEKOPRO Welder’s capacity to handle thicker materials. The 7018 electrode at high amperage settings requires a considerable amount of power, and the welder rose to the occasion, providing consistent and reliable performance.

Final Test: Fillet Weld on Thinner Coupons

For the final test, we switched to welding thinner materials, using 1/8 inch fit coupons. We adjusted the welder to 115 amps to avoid overheating the thinner metal. The goal was to perform a fillet weld, a common task in many welding projects. The welder performed exceptionally well at this lower amperage setting. The bead laid down was even and showed good fusion with the base metals, indicative of the machine’s versatility across different material thicknesses.

Final Thoughts