esab or inverter fusion

[sg66]

Having looked at almost every entry level tig going I have settled on either

Inverter fusion 200phf https://www.weldequip.com/inverter-fusion-tig.htm
or
Esab buddy tig 160 http://weldsafelimited.co.uk/buddy-tig-160

I have talked myself out of ac/dc inverter on the grounds of sanity and practicality, i may risk a cheap Chinese that will be just for aluminum and will have small amount of use.

I need a unit that will be portable as it will get used for stick welding out on site and needs to be carried, having looked at the mixed reviews on just about every machine i didn't really find any bad feedback on the above.

Main question is do I need the extra control of the IF machine on tig ( it will be used on tig )or should i stick with simple control of Esab, Im not overly concerned on price difference i just want something reliable and its made in the uk which is unusual these days.

I have never used a tig but i have experience in gas/mig/stick so hoping with a bit more reading and practice it wont be too bad to pickup.

Answers on a postcard ?

 

[Richard.]

The esab buddy range of machines are decent little proven units but this is the same generic machine taken on by parweld, thermal arc and others. It's made in china but supported in the country you buy it from under esab warranty.
The fusion I'm not sure where it's actually made but I've heard they are pretty good machines for the price of them. Both units will perform as you want. I've used a few buddy's and they do exactly what they are meant to do.

 

[Maker]

I've got a (fairly old) IFL 200HF and I've been very happy with it. It's from before they were called IFL so I don't know if they're still any good.

 

[sg66]

Looking more like the IFL then, it doesn't look like the design of the IFL has ever changed and it certainly doesn't look like a generic re branded box and it has the option for foot control hmmmm.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Those welders are in different leagues.the ifl is maybe/possibly a top level machine.takes a hammering,welds great on arc and tig.
the esab is a budget machine painted a popular colour

 

[Bill Edwards]

I think the IFL are indeed built in England - they're certainly repaired here.
Speaking of which, just hope it doesn't go wrong outside of the warranty. Perhaps I was unlucky, but receiving the bill for repairing my 200phf left me feeling rather poor.
Lovely unit to use for stick work mind, and although I've not used it on TIG yet I expect it'll be very good. It's certainly got all the bells and whistles.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Its even better on tig

 

[Richard.]

And they really hold there return sale value too. I've seen plenty of them on the bay fetch £500-550. Which is really good considering they are picked up for less than £700.

 

[sg66]

Thanks for the comments, nice to know they do in house repairs albeit maybe not cheap repairs, I would hope that by the time the 3yrs warranty is up its paid for itself, I have sent them an email to clarify a couple of points.

 

[HughF]

Ifl fusion range are made here, I don't know about the square box units. The company is part of the euro tech group, who we use to make all our printed circuit boards for the products we design and manufacture. Their quality in this area is superb.

I would imagine that the pcbs inside the fusion units are made by the sister company, so you would be off to a good start there.