IFL i-TECH 160 Inverter Arc Welder

[pjp123]

Hi

Anyone bought or tried one of these. I am thinking about buying one or alternatively the Parweld XTi160

 

[PTvor]

I'd ask about the length of the leads supplied with the IFL machine. I have an idea they are short - 1.5 metres. This is great if you want to use it slung over your shoulder climbing ladders, but not so great for general use. The cost of a set of 3 metre leads changes the calculation quite a bit.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Parweld's XTI 160 is always a safe bet. Not knocking the IFL whatsoever but imo Parweld's after care is a little better in comparison.

 

[pjp123]

Thanks for the comments. The IFl does not state lead length. The Parweld says 3m. looks like its a Parweld !

 

[PTvor]

And the Parweld is £50 cheaper.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I have an Inverter Fusion, different model though. Nice unit, what it really has going for it is the duty cycle - it's something daft like 100% at 160 amps or so - in other words, solid use! This may apply to the one you're looking at too, but of course whether you need this or not depends on your usage.
The only criticism is that when they break my experience of sending it in for repair was that I nearly had to sell a kidney to pay for it.

 

[Richie mac]

I bought an I tech 170 multi process machine just before Christmas from weld equip & to be fair it's a great little machine. The mig and arc side work great and I couldn't fault it although I haven't tried tig yet but don't expect it will be too bad woo all in all not a bad machine for the money in my opinion

 

[Richard.]

I'd have the ifl personally. While I'm sure the par weld after care is great, those fusions are tough units. I had a play with the 200amp tig and was well impressed at just how durable that case was. It could take a knock I'm sure. Not the most attractive design by any means but who cares what it looks like, it's got to weld and keep welding.

 

[PTvor]

I believe there are two sorts of IFL machine, the British designed and manufactured ones which look a bit like a handbag and IFL badged Chinese imports which look like most inverters.

The one in question is the IFL i-Tech 160 which seems to be a Chinese import, or they'd say otherwise. The handbag type ones are about twice the price.

http://www.weldequip.com/mma-welders.htm

I'd go for the Parweld, cheaper, better duty cycles, definitely decent length leads, at least as good support and warranty, unless I was in the market for a high priced MMA inverter in which case there'd be the IFL Fusion range and a few other contenders.

 

[Richard.]

I believe there are two sorts of IFL machine, the British designed and manufactured ones which look a bit like a handbag and IFL badged Chinese imports which look like most inverters.

The one in question is the IFL i-Tech 160 which seems to be a Chinese import, or they'd say otherwise. The handbag type ones are about twice the price.

http://www.weldequip.com/mma-welders.htm

I'd go for the Parweld, cheaper, better duty cycles, definitely decent length leads, at least as good support and warranty, unless I was in the market for a high priced MMA inverter in which case there'd be the IFL Fusion range and a few other contenders.

Good call, I was referring to the man bag type. Proper solid units. Id have one

 

[Richie mac]

My 170 isn't the bag type as you call it but came with a 3m Euro torch and hasn't struggled with anything I've asked of it yet ! Although now connected via a 16A plug it also ran at almost full power when I initially played with it on a standard 13A plug....
Guess it's all down to usage and personal choice

 

[PTvor]

I thought the point of the thread was to choose between two broadly similar MMA inverters which the o/p was considering. There seemed to be some confusion about which of the IFL range was being discussed.

The 170 is an inverter MIG with an MMA facility and as well as being a different type of machine is over twice the price. On the face of it it looks very similar to a few other inverter MIGs which do around 180A max. If I recall correctly, for a while Weldequip had almost the same advert for the SWP version of that machine with slight changes to the wording.

 

[Richard.]

I thought the point of the thread was to choose between two broadly similar MMA inverters

its an easy confusion to make if your not familiar with all the products in the brand. I thought he was referring to the fusion range. Didn't know IFL did a cheaper range. It's hardly throwing the thread off track is it.

 

[pjp123]

Well went for the Parweld XTi 160. Ordered it from Weldequip and it arrived the next day. Tried it out at work with some sif6013 rods and what an impressive little machine. Its tiny when you take it out of the packing.
The plastic carry case is well built too. I am very pleased with my choice.