Draper MMA Inverter Welder, 160A

Compact, Portable Inverter Welding Power for Workshop and Site

The Draper INV160A is a 160A MMA inverter welder designed to deliver capable, dependable stick welding performance in a genuinely portable package. With a compact, lightweight build, an integrated carry handle, and a smart suite of built-in welding aids — including hot start, arc force, and anti-stick — it's a sensible choice for tradespeople, fabricators, mechanics, and serious DIY users who need a reliable inverter welder that's easy to move between jobs.

Modern Inverter Technology for Lighter Weight and Better Performance

Inverter technology has transformed MMA welding over the last decade, replacing heavy transformer-based machines with compact electronic power sources that are lighter, more efficient, and deliver a more stable arc. At just 5.2kg and measuring 288 x 119 x 207mm, the INV160A is dramatically lighter and smaller than traditional stick welders of equivalent output — light enough to carry up a ladder, into a loft, or onto a remote section of site without breaking a sweat.

Built-In Welding Aids for Easier, Cleaner Welds

The INV160A is fitted with three smart features that make a real difference to weld quality and ease of use:

Hot Start delivers a brief boost of current at the moment the arc strikes, helping the electrode ignite cleanly and consistently — particularly valuable on cold-start welds or when working with more demanding rods. Arc Force automatically increases current if the arc shortens or threatens to stall, helping to prevent the electrode from sticking to the workpiece during the weld. Anti-Stick reduces current if the electrode does stick, helping to prevent it from glowing red and ruining the rod. Together, these features take much of the frustration out of stick welding — especially for less experienced users still building their technique.

20–160A Amperage Range

The welder offers a useful amperage range of 20–160A, giving you the flexibility to weld a broad spread of materials and thicknesses. The lower end of the range opens up thinner sheet work where heat control matters, while 160A at the top gives you the output needed for thicker steel and more demanding fabrication tasks. Combined with a 60% duty cycle at the full 160A — and 100% duty cycle at 125A — the INV160A is well-suited to sustained workshop use rather than short, intermittent bursts.

Robust, Portable Construction

The INV160A is built around a robust, lightweight chassis with an integrated carry handle, making it genuinely easy to pick up and reposition between jobs. Whether the welder lives on a fixed workshop bench, gets carried into the workshop each day, or rides in the back of a service van for mobile fabrication work, the portable build makes everyday handling straightforward.

Fan Cooling and Thermal Overload Protection

Active fan cooling helps the welder shed heat during sustained use, supporting its strong duty cycle figures. Thermal overload protection adds a further layer of reliability: if the internal temperature rises too high, the welder will protect itself automatically, helping to extend its working life and prevent damage from over-extended sessions.

Standard Dinse-Type 10/25 Connectors

The welder uses standard Dinse-type 10/25 couplings for the welding leads, ensuring compatibility with widely available electrode holders, earth clamps, and accessories. This makes replacement and upgrade straightforward, with no proprietary fittings to worry about.

Important: 32A Plug Required

A note for prospective buyers: the INV160A is supplied without a plug fitted and requires a 32A plug for installation. This is a typical requirement for higher-output welders running on 230V supply and ensures the machine can draw the current it needs to deliver full performance. You'll need to factor in a suitable supply and plug as part of your setup.

Key Features at a Glance

• 160A MMA inverter welder for stick welding
• Amperage range: 20–160A
• Hot start for clean, consistent arc ignition
• Arc force to help prevent electrode stalling
• Anti-stick to protect electrodes if they stick to the workpiece
• Fan cooled for sustained operation
• Thermal overload protection
• Strong duty cycle: 60% @ 160A / 100% @ 125A
• Lightweight at just 5.2kg
• Integrated carry handle for portability
• Standard Dinse-type 10/25 connectors
• 230V power supply (32A plug required, not supplied)

Full Specification

Ideal Applications

The Draper INV160A is a strong fit for general fabrication and repair work, gate, fence, and metalwork installation, vehicle and trailer repair, agricultural and farm machinery maintenance, on-site welding tasks, and serious DIY fabrication projects. The combination of inverter portability, integrated welding aids, and a useful 20–160A range makes it a versatile machine that suits both fixed workshop use and mobile work where weight and size really matter.

Backed by the trusted Draper Tools name, the INV160A brings modern inverter performance, smart welding aids, and genuine portability together in one compact, dependable package — a sensible choice for any user looking for a capable MMA welder that won't break their back to move around.