Yeswelder MIG-205DS Review – Is It Worth It? – welding master

The price makes it impossible for many small workshops to add multi-welders. Alternatively, you may be shopping for an inexpensive spare welder. In either case, you'll probably have to consider those affordable import welders we've all seen.

Among such low-cost multi-purpose welders, you may have come across the Yeswelder MIG-205DS. It has an attractive price tag. But is it worth it?

Well, the 205DS is capable of MIG, flux cored and stick welding. Plus, you can add DC TIG welding options. You also get a lot of features in this lightweight, compact unit, such as the ability to run on 110V or 220V.

On the surface, the YesWelder 205DS looks like a versatile multi-welder that, on paper, offers a lot for a fraction of the price of more expensive name-brand machines. As we all know, this seems to be a contradiction, you get what you pay for.

So we did some digging to see what we could learn from this interesting machine, so you don't have to. Below you will find a detailed review of the pros and cons of this versatile welder that offers a lot on a tight budget.

MIG-205DS Quick Overview

What is included

• 10' MiG Gun
• 10' Electrode Holder and Cable with 35-50 Quick Connect
• 10' Ground Clamp and Cable with 35-50 Quick Connect
• american gas pipe
• (1) 0.030″ & (1) 0.035″ contacts
• 110V/220V Adapter
• hammer and brush

technical specifications

Made in	China
process	MIG / Flux Core / Stick / Lift DC TIG
exhibit	Dual, flip display
Input voltage	110v/220v
duty cycle	60% (220V and 200A) 100% (220 volts and 154 amps)
Amperage	MIG/Core: 30–160A (110V) 30-200 (120 volts) insist on : 20–140A (110V) 20-180V (220v)
Voltage/Current Control	Presets (with +/- adjustments)
Wire feed speed control	Presets (with +/- adjustments)
Weldable material	mild steel and stainless steel
material thickness	.037 – .787” (.037 – ¼” one way)
MIG wire thickness	0.030 – 0.035" solid wire (0.023 when optional rollers are purchased) 0.035 – 0.040 inch flux cored wire
MIG wire feed speed	Preset: 80 – 590 ipm
Electrode size (rod)	up to 5/32"
Spool size	2 and 10 lb rolls
Spool gun at the ready	⛔
Welder Dimensions (H x W x L)	14.2 inches x 7.9 inches x 18.5 inches
weight	Shipping: 33 lbs. Core unit: 22 lbs.
Warranty	1 year
price	Check Yeswelder Now ( 10% discount. Code: WELDGURU10)

Advantages and disadvantages of MIG-205DS

Things to Know Before Buying the MIG-205DS

no consumables

Yeswelder uses the supplies in the box to keep items sparse. You have no wires, no stick electrodes, just a few tips (one .030 and one .035 to be precise). When it comes to supplies, you have to buy them separately.

The good news is that you can buy electrodes and wire directly from them, which is great value for money.

Argon arc welding

Although this unit is DC TIG ready, there is no TIG gun in the box. So if you want to do DC TIG with this welder, you have to buy one at the same time as the welder.

Also, the YesWelder MIG-205DS only uses lift-type TIG technology. This welder cannot accept a foot pedal.

need your own regulator

Another item you'll have to supply yourself, the gas regulator. While you do get a gas hose, the regulator isn't included. They found their own brand adjuster here and I hear it works great.

Solderless Aluminum

Since this welder can't do AC TIG, you might think you could MIG weld aluminum if you wanted. Alas, this unit is not ready for a spool gun. However, if you know what you're doing, you can run solid aluminum wire through a wire feed system.

In short, if you are welding aluminum for the first time, you should not buy this welder. But with a little trial and error, you can learn to thread aluminum wire through the wire feed system, if you're patient and can deal with a hiccup or two now and then.

User Manual/Soldering Guide

Don't expect too much from the user manual. It's short, poorly written, and contains far less information than a soldering novice needs.

Also missing are the diagrams that are usually printed on the inside of the wire feeder door, making the welder more difficult to use, even with presets programmed into the unit.

You should expect to spend some time online to learn how to set up and use your new welder. The good news is that this welder is very popular, so there are plenty of videos to watch. Additionally, you can download diagrams made by other users.

Additionally, many users have found that a Miller Welder-like setup provides a great starting point for your setup.

Metric units

When entering stock thickness, it must be entered in millimeters. No millimeter to inch conversion table provided. So, you have to convert it yourself.

European connector

The wires plug into the unit using the shorter "Euro" dinse connectors. They work fine, but they are a bit short. If you have some old wires with slightly longer connectors, they will not fit the YesWelder MIG-205DS.

If in the future you need to add extensions or replace grounds or torches, just make sure you get the Euro style, shorter dinse connectors (dinse 35-50).

Frequency conversion technology

The use of frequency conversion technology makes the machine lighter in weight and more compact in structure. It also provides 200A of power output from a compact welder with a 60% duty cycle. Technically, this is a top-level feature, however, there is a "but" you should be aware of.

While inverter technology works well, you may hear some welders say that only time will tell if the technology lasts. So far the answer seems to be yes, but to be fair the technology is newer compared to some older designs such as transformers.

Main Features of MIG-205DS

price

At half the price of some competing welders, it's good value by any standard. But don't forget to add the missing gas regulator, consumables and optional TIG torches/accessories that you may need to buy separately.

Synergic Welder ("Preset")

Wire Feed Speed ("WFS") is automatically adjusted on this machine based on voltage/amperage. But you do have the ability to adjust the preset WFS slightly up or down.

Additionally, the relationship between volts and amps is programmed into the welder. As you turn the dial, the volts and amps change together (and the WFS automatically adjusts).

That means just a knob and a few buttons are all you need. The name used for this type of welder is "Synergy" and once you get the hang of it, it's easy and quick to start using.

But most people will find that a little "fine-tuning" of the presets can make your welds look better. Fortunately, the machine allows you to adjust attributes up or down individually. In general, most users find that the unit runs a little hot and needs to turn down the voltage a bit.

arc quality

The arc on the Yeswelder MIG-205DS is most impressive. In fact, with a little experience, you can keep spatter to a minimum. Even experienced welders consider the arc quality of this machine to be a strong point.

To fine-tune the arc, the unit also allows you to adjust the inductance setting. This allows you to smooth out the arc, or make it rougher, as needed for your particular weld.

Wire feeding system

All parts on the wire feed system are metal. (On many budget welders, some feed components are plastic.) Yeswelder seem to understand the importance of wire feed systems and have built some quality into their system.

ground clip

The jig is durable and includes a braided wire for attaching the jaws. This is not found on many cheap welders.

Lift TIG

Another surprise of the MIG-205DS is the lifting TIG start that impresses even experienced welders. It doesn't stick, but is very smooth, allowing you to make better welds. This kind of performance isn't usually found on cheap machines.

2T and 4T MiGs

This is a matter of preference, most only use the 2T method. But the YesWelder MIG-205DS gives you the option to use the 4T MIG method.

For those who may not know, in 2T, pulling the trigger starts welding and releasing the trigger stops it. 4T means you pull the trigger to start the arc, then release the trigger to continue welding. When you want to stop, you pull and release the trigger again.

The 4T sounds complicated on paper. But for long welds, it means you don't have to hold the trigger all the time. Read more about 2T vs 4T here.

portable

The shipping unit weighs 33 pounds, while the core "power supply" only weighs 22 pounds. Plus, the case is small enough to stow away for transport and has a carry handle on top. For those who bring their welder to work, the YesWelder MIG-205DS allows you to easily move your multi welder.

power supply

If you move around a lot, you're more likely to find a 110V outlet. No problem, this unit will run on 110V, but could also use 220V if available.

Or, if you plan to add 220V to your shop in the future, you can run 110V at the same time. You are not limited, including plug adapters.

Arc welding

For those of you who rely on stick welding in certain situations, this welder has you covered. It comes with an electrode holder but no electrode rods.

settings button

Yeswelder includes some nice details to help you get set up. One is the wire feed button that runs the wire feeding system by itself. This allows you to feed the wire through the wire and into the gun at a controlled speed with the gas turned off.

You can do the same with gas as well. There is a gas "on" button that runs the gas independently. Again, this allows you to run the gas through the settings and set the flow accurately.

MIG-205DS and MIG-250 Pro

If you're considering the MIG-205DS, you've probably noticed that Yeswelder also offers a model – called the MIG-250 Pro.

Since there isn't much difference in price, I think it's worth a quick comparison:

Bottom line, if you're looking for an extra power supply, want to solder on aluminum and you know you'll always have access to a 220v plug, then for an extra $80, you're better off with the MIG-250 Pro machine.

You can find out more about the MIG-250 Pro in our full review here.

User comments on MIG-205DS

Overall, it is common for welders to have several opinions when using this machine. Something like "The Yeswelder MIG-205DS is great value even at $500. The high duty cycle is top notch."

Words like "amazing" and "easy to use" are also often used to describe the welding experience. It's also common for users to say "I love this little machine."

An oft-repeated tip is "the welder setting on auto is too hot, I'll try turning it down a bit first." Fortunately, the MIG-205DS allows you to adjust the presets to do just that.

Another good tip, "Consider buying welding wire through Yeswelder as well, as it's competitively priced." Supplies are not included in the box, but if you buy direct from Yeswelder, you can easily add them to the Your purchase is in progress.

Get 10% off your MIG-205DS

YesWelder is offering Weld Guru readers a generous 10% off sitewide with the purchase of any of their products. That means you can get about $40 off the MIG-205DS!

To claim this offer, go to MIG-205DS Products here and enter promo code: WELDGURU10 at checkout.

in conclusion

The Yeswelder MIG-205DS offers MIG, flux cored, TIG and stick welding capabilities at an affordable price. It runs on 110V or 220V, has a 60% duty cycle at 220A, and features inverter technology that makes it a compact, lightweight unit that you can move around.

Yeswelder also added a usable control panel, protected by a dust cover. Then there are other touches like carrying handles, dedicated presets and inductance adjustments using pure CO2. As such, the unit is equipped with many useful features, even though it is a "budget" welder.

For the price, you get a lot, and the performance allows you to enjoy welding with this device. What's more, you can create good welds with a little practice to learn which settings work best.

The unit is affordable for new welders or those on a tight budget and brings a lot of new features to the small shop. Or, if you want an inexpensive backup welder, the MIG-205DS is a great backup unit.

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