PUWU Plasma Cutter Welder Combo Gas MIG/Gasless MIG/Lift TIG/Stick/CUT 5 in 1 Aluminum Welding Machine with 110V/220V Dual Voltage Multi Process Welder

A compact multi-process workhorse

I brought the PUWU CT-418PRO into my shop to see if a single box could handle the bulk of my metalwork: MIG, flux-core, lift TIG, stick, and plasma cutting. After several weeks of welding and cutting everything from automotive sheet to farm repairs and shop fixtures, I can say this combo machine covers a lot of ground for the space and money it saves.

Build, controls, and setup

The machine is compact, tidy, and clearly labeled. The case isn’t flashy, but the fit is solid and the plastic trim feels tougher than it looks in pictures. Dual digital displays make it easy to track amps and voltage, and switching between modes is straightforward. It’s a true dual-voltage unit; I ran it on a 120 V 20 A circuit for light work and a 240 V shop circuit when I wanted the most out of MIG and plasma.

In the box, you get the essentials: a MIG gun, a PT31 plasma torch, a TIG torch (lift start), ground clamp, electrode holder, gas hose and regulator, quick connectors, and a 220V-to-110V adapter lead. Torch lengths are reasonable (3 m for MIG; 4 m for TIG and plasma). No oddball connectors, and consumables are easy to source—PT31 tips and cups are everywhere, and the MIG torch uses standard contact tips.

I was up and running quickly. Gas hookup is as expected, and the wire feed path is simple to set. The wire drive is not a premium cast unit, but it fed consistently once tension was set correctly. There’s enough adjustment range to dial in both solid wire with gas and flux-core.

MIG performance (gas and gasless)

On 240 V, the CT-418PRO is rated as a 200 A MIG; on 120 V, a 130 A MIG. Those numbers lined up with my time on mild steel. With 0.030 in solid wire and C25 gas, the arc is stable, the puddle is predictable, and spatter is perfectly manageable when voltage and wire speed are matched. It’s happy on automotive steel with a short arc, and with 240 V power I could do structural brackets and angle with good penetration in single pass and heavier sections with multi-pass.

Flux-core (gasless) is perfectly usable for outdoor work where wind would otherwise wreck a gas-shielded bead. I saw a little more spatter and slag cleanup, as expected, but the machine kept a crisp arc and steady feed. Wire speed and voltage adjustments are responsive, and the digital readout made it easy to return to known-good settings.

On aluminum, the story is what you’d expect from a compact MIG without a dedicated spool gun: it’s possible, but you need to be realistic. With 0.030 in 4043 wire, a smooth liner, and straight torch runs, I could stitch together light-gauge projects using argon. Long lead runs or tighter bends in the cable can cause occasional feeding hiccups with soft wire. If aluminum MIG is a central part of your work, you’ll want to plan accordingly—shorter torch runs, careful tensioning, and lots of test coupons.

Lift TIG (DC)

The TIG side is lift-start DC, so no high-frequency start and no AC. That means stainless and carbon steel are fair game; aluminum TIG is off the table. Within those constraints, it performs as expected. With a 2% lanthanated tungsten and gas lens, the arc is smooth on thin stainless and mild steel sheet. There’s no foot pedal provision, so you’re managing heat at the panel and with torch angle and travel speed. For tack-ups, small brackets, and clean beads where MIG would be too aggressive, it gets the job done. If you’re accustomed to high-frequency start and a pedal, you’ll miss them here, but as a bonus process in a combo machine, it’s useful.

Stick (MMA)

Stick performance is better than many combo units I’ve used. The machine lists a no-load voltage above 60 V and supports cellulose electrodes, and that bore out: 6011 starts reliably, maintains arc in less-than-perfect prep, and digs well for repair work. 7018 ran smoothly on 240 V with predictable restarts; on 120 V, you’ll want to stay with smaller rods to avoid nuisance trips on light circuits. Arc force feels natural, with enough push to keep short arcs from sticking without blasting the puddle.

If you’re doing farm repairs or field fixes and don’t want to drag gas around, the MMA mode is a real asset.

Plasma cutting (PT31 torch)

The PT31 torch is a common, serviceable head that favors availability of consumables over refinement. On 240 V, the cutter makes clean, striation-light cuts on sheet and plate in the “shop steel” range. For me, it became the go-to for trimming bracket stock and slicing out rusty sections. Severance is there if you push it, but quality drops off as you’d expect; for clean edges, stay within its comfort zone and keep your travel speed steady.

Start is high-frequency and reliable. I appreciated the longer torch lead when maneuvering around a chassis. Post-flow seems adequate; consumable life was normal when I respected pierce height and kept my air clean and dry.

Power, portability, and day-to-day use

Dual-voltage flexibility is a real advantage. On 120 V, it’s a capable light-duty MIG and stick machine and a convenience cutter; on 240 V, it opens up its full potential. I also powered it from a small jobsite generator for a quick fix—no drama, as long as the generator was sized appropriately and voltage stayed stable.

Portability is good. It’s not feather-light, but it’s compact enough to load in and out of a vehicle without dread. The included 12 AWG power cord is a sensible length, and the adapter lead is handy when outlets are scarce.

Noise is on par with other inverter welders; the fan spins up promptly and moves air well. I did bump into the duty-cycle limits once during a longer plasma session—no surprise for a compact multi-process unit. The machine shut down gracefully, cooled, and came right back. Plan for staggered workflows if you’re doing continuous heavy cutting or high-amperage MIG.

Quirks and trade-offs

• TIG is DC lift-start only. If you need AC TIG or HF start for aluminum, this isn’t your machine.
• Aluminum MIG is possible but finicky without a dedicated spool gun. Short runs and careful setup help.
• Ground clamp and electrode holder are serviceable but not premium; upgrading the ground clamp improved arc stability on dirty steel.
• As with most compact combos, duty cycle can tap you on the shoulder during extended high-output work.
• The interface is simple; there’s no synergic MIG. I prefer that—it keeps you in control—but some users may miss automated programs.

Who it’s for

The CT-418PRO makes sense in small shops, garages, and mobile setups where space, budget, and versatility matter more than having a specialized machine for each process. If your weekly work spans basic fabrication, automotive repair, light structural, stainless brackets, and occasional plasma cutting, this one box covers a lot. If you live in one process at the edge of its envelope—say, production MIG aluminum or heavy, continuous cutting—you’ll be better served by a dedicated, higher-duty-cycle machine.

Recommendation

I recommend the PUWU CT-418PRO for users who want an affordable, compact multi-process machine that genuinely handles MIG (gas and gasless), DC lift TIG, stick (including 6011/6013/7018), and plasma cutting without drama. It’s easy to set up, the controls are clear, and dual-voltage power broadens where and how you can work. Expect some compromises typical of combo units—no AC TIG, careful aluminum MIG technique, and attention to duty cycle—but within those bounds, it’s a capable, practical addition to a small shop or a mobile toolkit.