INVERTER FUSION 160 Amp DC INVERTER....any good?

[VL1500]

Evenin' all!

I've been using a SIP 180 Amp Arc welder since I bought it new about 35 years ago. It's blue, has never cut out or let me down, and weighs about 23 tons!!
Just lately it hasn't quite been performing right, so I think I've got to retire it and get something new. Anyway, after looking up the bit at the front of this website about buying an Arc welder, I've decided I need a nice modern Inverter welder. I've narrowed it down to the "INVERTER FUSION 160 Amp DC INVERTER", or the "TEC-ARC 166i Inverter Arc Welder".
First question is.....Can any of you knowledgeable folks give me opinions on whether these two are good buys or not, and (most important!) which of the two in your opinion would be the best?
Second question is........ I keep seeing comments in different places about Inverter welders being very complicated internally and therefore very prone to breaking down, and apparently repairs are too expensive so you have to chuck the thing away! Being that I'm looking at a cost of between 230 and 300 pounds this is obviously something to be concerned about!
Is this the case or are these stories exaggerated?
Any ideas or experiences on these two machines would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

VL1500 (Tony.)

 

[oddbob]

Hi Tony

I can't really pass comment on the reliability of inverters, as I've only just acquired one for the first time myself (R-Tech 160 tig), but, as someone who has used traditional transformer stick welders and migs on and off for the last thirty odd years, I'd say get one anyway ...they're a joy to use!

 

[chriskelland]

I've had an Inverter Fusion 160 for a couple of years now. Not even a sniff of a problem and as oddbob says, an inverter is 'a joy to use'. Very light and portable seems to work OK on the end of a long cable.
Chris.

 

[SAFC73]

If you have a look in the for sale section Tab has a 186i Tecarc for sale at a good price.
Smashing set, I would buy it myself if the garage police hadn't hidden my pension book

 

[Bsmith]

When your buying new make sure its big enough and adequate for all the unforeseen jobs. I bought an Inverter Fusion PHF 200 rather than the 160 to be on the safe side 2 years ago, never needed any other welding machine since.

 

[VL1500]

Thanks ODDBOB,

Similar welding background by the sound of it. (Apart from MIG.....bought a new Portamig 185 about 2 years back but still haven't tried it!). Nice to hear your opinion on Inverters, and my concern about reliability has diminished a tad after reading the comments of Chriskelland and Bsmith below.

Hi Chriskelland,

just the sort of reply I was hoping for! If you have used one of the welders on my short list with no problems, then I think my short list has just got even shorter!

SAFC73,

thanks for the tip. I checked it out but unfortunately it's way out of my £300 limit. Had to tighten my belt since I bought the Portamig!

Hi Bsmith,

appreciate the advice about size of machine, but I definitely wouldn't need anything bigger than a 160. Right through the years I've never worked anything thicker than about 8mm. metal, and that has been on very rare occasions!

Cheers,

Tony.

 

[oddbob]

...you've had a Portamig for two years and still not tried it?! ...I can hear the dull thud of jaws dropping all around the forum (Portamigs are held in some kind of reverence around these parts)

 

[VL1500]

Err! Well, it's like this yer see!!

When I unpacked it from it's wooden crate and it sat there looking at me all red and shiny, I thought.....Wow! where do I start? Then there was all these separate bits, cables, twin gauges, torch etc. Then sitting beside it I've got this damn great 5ft. high cylinder looking like something they might have dropped on Hiroshima but with the name "Cougar" on it.
At that point I did yell for help on here and got some useful replies from people. With this info. I think I've connected everything to where it should be, but I don't know how to set the gauges to whatever they should be set to, and how to use them if I did ever pluck up courage to turn the gas on!
All this must sound unbelievable, but around the time we moved here from South London 22 years ago, two mechanics were killed in a massive explosion in the local Garage they worked in. Apparently a gas cylinder had gone off for some reason. Anyway, with this in mind, and with absolutely no knowledge of different types of gases and their dangers, I'll admit to having been scared to start playing around with this set-up 'cos I don't know what I'm doing! I've searched everywhere for what the two gauges actually do, and which one does what and what should they read, but I've come to the conclusion that Blokes that MIG weld are actually cloned, and they're all born knowing what to do. That's why manufacturers don't need to include instructions on how to set everything up!
So, for two years I've still been using my nice safe vintage Arc welder!

Oh boy! even more jaws dropping now!!

cheers,

Tony.

 

[VL1500]

Arc welder

Well, after a few weeks of searching through these forums I've made up my mind! Instead of the Inverter 160, I've taken the plunge, aimed a bit higher, and bought the "TEC-ARC 206i Inverter Arc Welder".
I ordered it on Sunday night on-line and it arrived yesterday morning (Thurs.). I can't try it yet 'cos I'm still waiting for the leads to arrive.
This is a 200amp. welder and not having seen (apart from pictures and ads.!) an Inverter welder before I can't believe how small and light it is! My old SIP 180 needs a JCB to lift it about. Mind you, it's given me good service after using it for 35/40 yrs. with nothing ever going wrong.
I bought this through "Weldequip", having bought a Portamig 185 from him around 3 yrs. ago, and can thoroughly recommend him. Very easy to deal with and quick response to emails!
Much appreciate as usual, all the advice and tips received from you lot!!

VL1500.

 

[weldequip]

I can't try it yet 'cos I'm still waiting for the leads to arrive.

Just checked on these for you & it is showing as "Carded" yesterday, although they don't always leave a card! , and out again for delivery today - "PM Slot" - so should be with you this afternoon; any problems give us a shout.

 

[VL1500]

Blimey that was quick!

No, no card in the door and we stayed in. Anyway, fingers crossed for this afternoon!

Thanks,

VL1500