Stick Welder vs Plasma Cutter: Which One Should You Buy?
Stick welders join metal and plasma cutters cut it, and the four examples here show what each side states for power, capacity and setup.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
HONE Stick Welder 110v9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
ARCCAPTAIN Plasma Cutter Machine9.7/10View on Amazon - 3
ARCCAPTAIN MIG205MP MIG Welder with Plasma Cutter9.7/10View on Amazon - 4
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT60 Pro Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 5
![ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter Machine](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hLye1tq1L._SL500_.jpg)
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 6
Bestarc 50A Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 7
Bestarc Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 8
SILATU 55A Plasma CutterView on Amazon - 9
SILATU 55A Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a stick welder if your job is joining metal: fixing a bracket, building a frame, or repairing steel around the garage and farm. Choose a plasma cutter if your job is cutting metal to size, trimming mesh, or cleaning rust from a surface before paint. The examples below show what each side states, not what either side promises in general.
A cracked trailer bracket needs joining, and a sheet of steel needs trimming to size, and those two jobs split the garage into two tools in stick welder vs plasma cutter. One tool melts a rod into a joint, the other blows a cut through plate, and picking the wrong side leaves the job half done. This comparison lays out what each side does and which side fits the job in front of you.
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ARCCAPTAIN 60A Plasma Cutter Machine
A 60A plasma cutter with three cut modes, air pressure monitoring and a non-touch pilot arc on 110V/220V.
Pros
- 60A on 220V with clean cuts to 5/8 inch and severance to 15/16 inch
- Plate, expanded-metal and rust removal modes in one machine
- Air pressure monitoring with E80/E81 error codes on the display
- 2T/4T modes for long cuts, plus PA/PT adjustment
Cons
- External air compressor required and not included
- Current falls to 20-35A on 110V
- Shop air must hold 50-75 PSI on 220V
- No carrying strap is stated
ARCCAPTAIN 250A Stick Welder
A 250A stick welder with lift TIG, synergic control and a 3.2-inch display, weighing 11.5 lb with rods and cables in the box.
Pros
- 250A MMA output with lift TIG to 220A
- Synergic control matches current and voltage to rod diameter
- 11.5 lb with handle and shoulder strap included
- 10 rods, wire brush, 10 ft electrode holder and 10 ft ground clamp in the box
Cons
- Lift TIG torch sold separately
- Plate thickness range ends at 0.63 inch
- No duty cycle figure is stated
- Title lists 230V input with no second voltage figure
Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 225i Stick Welder
A dual-voltage 120V/230V stick welder with a 10-225A range, Touch Start TIG capability and a full accessory kit.
Pros
- Dual-voltage 120V/230V input with a 10-225A output range
- Welds 12-gauge sheet metal up to 5/16-inch steel in a single pass
- 13 ft work cable and 13 ft electrode cable with holder included
- Built-in tool-box top for cable and accessory storage
Cons
- Bullets say 20 lb but the spec table says 25.0 pounds
- TIG accessories required for Touch Start TIG
- Duty cycle is 30% at 225 amps on 230V
- No certification stated
ARCCAPTAIN 55A Non-HF Plasma Cutter Machine
A 55A blowback plasma cutter with plate, mesh and rust removal modes on 110V/220V.
Pros
- 55A on 220V with a 1-inch max cut in the title
- Blowback pilot arc that avoids high-frequency interference
- Mesh cutting and rust removal modes alongside plate cutting
- Air pressure check with E80 below 30 PSI and E81 above 80 PSI
Cons
- External air compressor required and not included
- No warranty term is stated
- No weight figure is stated
- Clean cuts are 3/5 inch, below the 1-inch max cut figure
Other tools worth a look
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT60 Pro Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon![ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter Machine](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hLye1tq1L._AC_SL320_.jpg)
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
Bestarc 50A Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
Bestarc Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
SILATU 55A Plasma CutterCheck price on Amazon
SILATU 55A Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
Side by side
| Tool | Shop Score | Output | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCCAPTAIN CUT60 | 9.7/10 | 60A on 220V | 110V/220V | 10.0 lb |
| ARCCAPTAIN ARC250 | 9.7/10 | 250A MMA | 230V | 11.5 lb |
| Lincoln Weld-Pak 225i | 9.6/10 | 225A | 120V/230V | 20 lb |
| ARCCAPTAIN CUT55 | 9.6/10 | 55A on 220V | 110V/220V | Not stated |
Example figures are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 1 November 2026.
How a stick welder joins metal
A stick welder joins metal with an arc struck from a rod, and both stick examples also offer a TIG mode. The ARCCAPTAIN example lists a 20-250A MMA range with lift TIG to 220A, synergic control, and rods E6010, E6011, E6013 and E7018. The Lincoln example lists a 10-225A range on dual voltage, Touch Start TIG with extra accessories required, and welds on 12-gauge sheet metal up to 5/16-inch steel in a single pass. Stick is the joining side here, not the cutting side.
How a plasma cutter cuts metal
A plasma cutter cuts metal with a plasma arc, and both plasma examples add modes beyond plain plate cutting. The CUT60 example lists plate, expanded-metal and rust removal modes, with clean cuts to 5/8 inch and severance to 15/16 inch on 220V. The CUT55 example lists plate, mesh and rust removal, a blowback pilot arc that avoids high-frequency interference, and a 1-inch max cut in its title. Both need an external air compressor that is not included.
How stick welder vs plasma cutter setups differ
Power is the first setup split. The ARCCAPTAIN stick example lists 230V input, while the Lincoln example lists 120V/230V dual voltage with a 6 ft input cable, a 6-50P plug and a 5-15P adapter. Both plasma examples list 110V/220V, but output falls with voltage: the CUT60 example lists 20-35A on 110V and 20-60A on 220V, and the CUT55 example lists 20-35A on 110V and 20-55A on 220V. The plasma examples need shop air through a 1/4-inch NPT fitting at 50-75 PSI on 220V; the stick examples need rods and a holder instead. Any new 230V or 220V circuit is a job for a licensed electrician.
Choose a stick welder if
- You join or repair metal most of the time
- You want stick plus TIG in one box
- You want a stick kit with cables and holder in the box
- You have rods and a holder ready
Choose a plasma cutter if
- You cut plate or mesh to size most of the time
- You want rust removal before paint
- You already have shop air
- You want air pressure monitoring
Example tools
For more choices, see the best stick welder and the best plasma cutter for home use, and if voltage is the question, the 110V vs 220V welder comparison.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- Both plasma examples need an external air compressor, not included, with a 1/4-inch NPT fitting and 50-75 PSI on 220V.
- The stick examples list 230V and 120V/230V input, so check your circuit and use a licensed electrician for any new circuit.
- Weights stated run from 10.0 lb for the CUT60 example to 20 lb in the Lincoln bullets.
- The ARCCAPTAIN stick example ships with a handle and shoulder strap.
FAQ: garage tools
Should I buy a stick welder or a plasma cutter first?
Buy the side that matches the job you do most. A stick welder joins and repairs metal, while a plasma cutter cuts plate and mesh and cleans rust.
Can a stick welder cut metal?
The stick examples here are built for joining: the ARCCAPTAIN example offers stick and lift TIG modes, and the Lincoln example offers stick and Touch Start TIG.
Do plasma cutters need an air compressor?
Yes, both plasma examples here require an external air compressor that is not included, with a 1/4-inch NPT fitting and 50-75 PSI on 220V.
Can one machine here weld and cut?
No example here does both jobs. The stick examples join metal and the plasma examples cut and clean it, so a shop that needs both jobs needs one tool from each side.
What power do these examples need?
The ARCCAPTAIN stick example lists 230V, the Lincoln example lists 120V/230V, and both plasma examples list 110V/220V. Check the circuit you have against the voltage each example lists before you buy.
Related: the best stick welder, the best plasma cutter for home use, the plasma cutter vs TIG welder comparison.
