Friedrichshafen, Germany
A published address and a seven-year warranty
Being findable. In a category where a large share of listings come from brands invented for a single product, IPOTOOLS states IPO Technik-Handels GmbH with an address, and backs it with seven years. Their sets are complete — the CUT-70R arrives with a 5 m (16 ft) PT-80 torch, an earth lead, a shield and a hammer.
Their own range contradicts itself. The TIG-200ACDC at €459 publishes pulse frequency ranges and an AC frequency range; the SUPERTIG 200DI at €570 publishes neither. The cheaper machine is the better documented one, which is worth knowing before paying the difference.
Consumables and repairs have a destination. On a €100 machine that matters less; on a €500 one it is most of what you are buying.
70 A · PT-80 torch, 5 m (16 ft) · 25 mm (0.98 in) · €522
Sold as a working set — a 5 m (16 ft) torch, earth lead, shield and hammer — with a seven-year warranty behind it.
Best for: A workshop that wants one box, standard consumables and somewhere to send it if it fails
180 A AC/DC · 32-bit control · 7-year warranty · €380
A fully digital AC/DC machine with adjustable pulse, from an importer that publishes an address and a seven-year term.
Best for: Someone who wants aluminum capability and an importer who answers letters
160 A · 230 V · 8 kg (17.6 lb) · €176
An 8 kg (17.6 lb) three-process inverter with a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty and a German importer with a published address.
Best for: A first MIG where the budget is firm and the machine must still be repairable in five years
160 A · digital · 7-year warranty · €106
Less current than everything around it, and the only stick machine here with a seven-year term and an address.
Best for: A machine you expect to still own in five years
200 A AC/DC · fully digital · 7-year warranty · €570
The top of this page: a fully digital 200 A AC/DC machine with stick as well, and seven years behind it.
Best for: Regular aluminum and stainless work, where the machine has to be right rather than adequate
200 A AC/DC · AC frequency 20–100 Hz · spot 0.01–9.99 s · €459
The first machine on this page that publishes its AC frequency range and pulse frequencies — the controls aluminum actually needs.
Best for: Aluminum work where the arc has to be steered, not just switched on
Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.
