Is the IFL 160 Tig any good??

[Amit]

Guys..

is this tig machine any good?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....ategory=113743&_trkparms=algo=LVI&its=I&otn=1

Its seems like a good deal for an AC/DC tig and plasma cutter in one.

Here is the spec

SUPER-160P
Power voltage Single phase AC230, 50/60Hz
Rated input current (A) 21
Power capacity (KVA) 3.3
Range of output 5-160 TIG 15-40 CUT
current (A)
No-load voltage (V) 62 TIG / 240 CUT
Working voltage (V) 16.4 TIG / 90 CUT
Up-slope time (Sec) 0-1
AC Clean width (%) 20-80
Down-slope time (Sec) 0-10
Pulse width (%) 10-90
Range of pulse current (A) 20-160
Range of pulse freq. (Hz) 0.5-200
Post-gas time (Sec) 1-10
Remote control YES
Arc-starting HF
Efficiency (%) 85
Max. weld thickness (mm) 0.1-6
Rate duty cycle (%) 60
Power factor 0.83
Insulation class F
Protection grade IP21
Weight (Kg) 23.5
Dimensions (mm) 520x330x375

I have the pdf spec sheet which lists the inverterfusion website but I cant find it on their site.

Amit

 

[zardoz]

i have never seen that one before either but IFL are a quality make of machine.

 

[hotrodder]

Do IFL actually make/engineer the things or is it just a generic Chinese box?

 

[zardoz]

i found this
http://www.rongyiwelder.com/RongYi/ProductDetails.asp?id=21

 

[Amit]

Yeah it is a generic chinese unit but for ifl to put their name on it, it can't be that bad?

It has ce approval for use in the uk. It may of been modded internally.

It looks the same as the tecarc 206i too which is recomenned on here too so a lot of manufacturers use the same suplier.

Just seems good value for money as it comes with a pedal and plasma torch too.

What the weld capacity of a 160A welder as apposed to a 200?

The only thing I am worried about is it might be a fake as I can't see it on the ifl website, but the supplier on eBay seems like a pro weld shop too.

Amit

 

[Sid]

I'm sure weldequip sells IFL, so would love to hear if these are now genuine IFL.

This machine, and others that the seller is listing, do not conform to what IFL actually say on their website.http://www.inverterfusion.com/.

They say that their welders conform to certain details, ie "All welders encased in a robust toughened nylon casing", and "Full 2 year guarantee with a no quibble after sales service". This welder and others he lists do not meet this.

Also IFL offer a re-branding facility, so you can sell their welders under your name. It would be odd for IFL to actually rebrand chinese welders like this.

OK so the website may be out of date, things may have happened at IFL. I hope these are not now genuine IFL machines.

 

[no idea]

I did see Inverter Fusion sell something similar a while back on ebay which they described as a development/pre-production unit IIRC.

I've got the Parweld version of the TecArc 206i and haven't needed to use the full 200 amps - I've probably gone up to about 170 on ally which was 3 or 4mm thick so bear this in mind with the 160 amp IFL.

 

[hotrodder]

Just seems good value for money as it comes with a pedal and plasma torch too.

£950 for an AC/DC TIG and 40A plasma with all the accessories... call me cynical but sounds to good to be true. More to 'value for money' than purchase price

...the supplier on eBay seems like a pro weld shop too.

Amit

Just 11 items for sale, link to their website (specialists in second hand kit apparently) doesn't work although that may just be a temporary thing

Lots of identical looking machines about. Weldingweb has several peddlers of these, countless complaints and issues (well at least until they payed for their own forums and started deleting every negative comment). Didn't pay very much attention but IIRC the multiprocess machines were the least reliable of the lot. Given that it doesn't exist on the IFL website i'd tread very carefully...

 

[Amit]

As long as it is an ifl machine with their backup it should be ok shouldn't it?

I am a beginner home user so I won't be getting heavy use.

I have emailed ifl to ask if it's genuine.

Even the PDF spec sheet I have is all ifl branded with their website details and all their contact details on it.

What thickness metal can I weld with a 160a welder?

Amit

 

[hotrodder]

On aluminium around a 4mm fillet, 5 maybe 6mm outside open corner joint. If it's genuine and has the same warrenty as the rest of their line up then it should be OK as long it doesn't die just outside warrenty- in many respects heavier use is better...

 

[Amit]

Just got a reply from Graham Hill at IFL.

Its a new unit for them.. so full 2 year warranty and UK support

Should be ok then.

Here is the spec sheet.

http://www.c4ppy.net/IFL_Super_160P_AC-DC_V3.pdf

Weldequip, do you still have an account with IFL?

Amit

 

[Amit]

PS.. just got a follow up email.. and its only 1 year warranty

although european directives state you must provide at least 2 year warranty dont they?

Amit

 

[hotrodder]

Yep, 2 years within the EU for this sort of thing but (again, call me cynical) why would they only offer 1 year warrenty when...
1. They offer 2 on other products in their line up
2. The EU says they have to offer at least 2 years
Brand new (unproven?) model...

 

[Amit]

but then they must also have done some testing to put their name on it surely?

Amit

 

[TheJoker]

although european directives state you must provide at least 2 year warranty dont they?

It might be that 2 year warranty only applies to business to consumer transactions. Usually TIG welders aren't sold to consumers. I don't know for sure. However, it wouldn not be your responsibility to figure that out as long as the seller knows you're an amaterur (i.e simply put, not going to claim back VAT on the purchase), then he should automatically give you 2 years warranty. But then again as he's now explicitly told you it's got 1 year warranty, you might be accepting that new condition if you accept the purchase.
I might be totally wrong... and should probably lay off the strong coffee and stop rambling.

Good luck with the TIG purchase anyway.

 

[zardoz]

Id get in touch with the guy again and clarify this 1 year warranty thing.

 

[Amit]

Right more info.

Only comes with 1 year warranty due to competitive price point.. but you can buy extended warranty.

and a quote about the machines quality

"This machine is to our specification, but is based on a standard 200Amp Machine.

We have restricted the output to160Amps to improve the machines duty cycle, and are not planning to sell a 200Amp Version.



There has not been problems with this machine, we buy other types of machines from this supplier without any problems. So we are confident with the quality.

The foot pedal does increase the current and switches the arc on and off."
by Graham Hill @ IFL


Amit

 

[Amit]

I think I am happy enough to take the plunge especially as i can get it all for £850!

Amit

 

[NickLike]

How did this go for you in the end Amit? I've heard a few conflicting things about IFL lately but was looking at their I-Tech 170 (Mig tig Arc inverter). However after talking to someone who's dealt with them in the past i'm less than confident in their products and customer service.