In April 2026, a welding brand did something almost unheard of in the budget welder market.
On a video by independent creator amcustomfab — a cut test that physically dissected earth clamp leads from multiple brands — the official ArcCaptain account posted this in the comments:
“We’ve officially greenlit a major hardware upgrade! ⚡️ Based on the feedback regarding lead resistance, we’re switching all models to 25ft leads featuring upgraded internal copper wiring and enhanced heat-resistant casing. We wanted to solve the resistance issue at the source, and this is the fix.”
— arccaptain_welding (official), commenting on amcustomfab’s cut test video, April 2026
101 likes. 19 comments. And a welding community that noticed exactly what that admission meant.
ARCPEX MIG200 was designed with 100% copper ground-clamp and electrode-holder cables as standard equipment — a 10FT 100% copper ground-clamp lead and a 10FT 100% copper electrode-holder lead, included with every unit.
The Temperature Data
“The arc captain reached a little over 300°F in 6 minutes and 20 seconds of welding. The prime wild reached 170°F in 19 minutes of welding.”
— amcustomfab (creator), replying to @chris_piss300, April 2026
| Lead | Temperature Reached | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ArcCaptain (CCA) | 300°F+ | 6 min 20 sec |
| PrimeWeld (Pure Copper) | 170°F | 19 minutes |
This is a single test under specific conditions. Results will vary by conductor size, length, current, and termination quality — but at the same conductor cross-section, CCA carries approximately 64% more resistance than pure copper.
What the Cut Test Revealed
- ArcCaptain’s leads: CCA confirmed — their own official account confirmed it by announcing a switch to “upgraded internal copper wiring”
- PrimeWeld scored better — described on-screen as “actual copper and a gauge heavier” — and ran significantly cooler
- The visual difference is immediate — pure copper is uniformly orange-red throughout; CCA shows a silver aluminum core
📹 amcustomfab’s original cut test reel — cross-section comparison, infrared temperature data, and ArcCaptain’s official response in the comments.
101 likes · 19 comments · April 14, 2026 · @amcustomfab
ARCPEX’s Position
| Component | ARCPEX MIG200 | ArcCaptain (pre-upgrade) |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Clamp Lead | ✅ 10FT — 100% Pure Copper | ❌ CCA — officially acknowledged |
| Electrode Holder Lead | ✅ 10FT — 100% Pure Copper | ❌ CCA — officially acknowledged |
| Independent test offer | ✅ Publicly stated | Not stated |
Why Cable Material Is One Part of the Circuit
Electrical resistance generates heat according to P = I²R. Cable material is one variable — conductor size, total circuit length, duty cycle, clamp contact area, and termination quality all contribute to total circuit resistance. ARCPEX chose 100% copper for its included leads and is prepared to submit them to independent testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ARCPEX MIG200 come with pure copper leads?
Yes. The ARCPEX MIG200 includes a 10FT 100% copper ground-clamp lead and a 10FT 100% copper electrode-holder lead as standard equipment. ARCPEX has also stated openness to submitting these leads to independent cut testing.
How hot do CCA welding leads get compared to pure copper?
In independent testing by amcustomfab (April 2026), an ArcCaptain CCA lead reached over 300°F in 6 minutes and 20 seconds. A PrimeWeld pure copper lead reached 170°F after 19 minutes under the same conditions. At the same cross-section, CCA carries approximately 64% more resistance than copper.
Why did ArcCaptain announce a hardware upgrade in April 2026?
Independent creator amcustomfab ran a cut test revealing that ArcCaptain’s leads used copper-clad aluminum (CCA) conductors. Temperature testing showed the leads reached 300°F+ in under 7 minutes under sustained load. ArcCaptain’s official account responded in the video comments, announcing a switch to upgraded internal copper wiring.
What is the resistance difference between pure copper and CCA welding leads?
At the same conductor cross-section and length, CCA (approximately 61% IACS conductivity) carries approximately 64% more resistance than pure copper (approximately 100% IACS). This means more voltage drop across the cable and more energy converted to heat rather than delivered to the arc.
Is CCA cable always unsuitable for welding?
CCA is covered by ASTM B566 as a standard for electrical-use copper-clad aluminum wire. The key issue in welding applications is whether the conductor is correctly sized for the current and duty cycle. Budget welders often ship CCA leads that are undersized for their rated amperage — which compounds the resistance problem.
How do I know if my welding leads are copper or CCA?
Cut a cross-section of a damaged or retired lead. Pure copper is uniformly orange-red throughout. CCA shows a silver aluminum core with only a thin copper surface coating. The difference is immediately visible to the naked eye.
Ready to weld with leads that don’t fight you?
ARCPEX MIG200 — 10FT 100% pure copper ground-clamp & electrode-holder leads, standard on every unit.
Shop ARCPEX MIG200 →← Part 1: Pure Copper vs Aluminum Welding Leads — Cut Test Results
