Tig Welder Question

Have any of you guys had any experience with the Miller Diversion 165 TIG welder? I am considering buying one but just wanted to check if anyone had used one of these. Price seems right.

 

What exsactly are you wanting to do with it. Do you already have a Mig?

 

Yes, but I would like the TIG for sheet metal ect...

 

Its a good little machine, If you are inexperienced I would recommend a foot pedal instead of the heat control in the torch.

 

Foot pedal a must. Its like the old rub your head and pat your stomach, oh wait, is it the other way around If you in or around 2K or your probably ok.

I want one, but didnt invest yet, it was cheaper to have someone do the work I needed on stainless exhaust.

 

May be an outdated bit info but will a TIG welder setup in a home or attached garage effect computers and other electronic things in your house or neighbors? I know the truck radio is effected every time I park next to the local TIG welding shop.

 

I am inexperienced with TIG welding but a friend of mine has one that he let me try once. It was great! His has the heat control in the torch and it didn't seem to be a problem for me. To me it was like welding with a torch. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about this particular unit.

 

The only time I don't use a foot pedal is when welding roll bars. But the foot pedal is the way to go...easy to learn.

 

Well, I've been a certified mig & tig welder for 40+ yrs - the torch control is great for hard to get places where your laying down or in a awkward position, but I prefer the control of a good foot peddle[being able to feather the heat] and a tig can sometimes interfer with t.v.s and such in a home area, especially when using the high frequency.I don't know about computer interference.I understand that alot of the newer appliances are equiped with a high frequency filter.

 

Best thing to do is go to your local welding supply shop and ask if they have the Miller 165 for demo. I have four supply shops that have demo welder for you to try. Also are you going to be welding out of the garage or a Shop. If a garage do you have 220 volt which is better, some detached garages don't have 220. Think about what you might want to weld in the future. You might be better of buying a syncrowave 200. Also try other brands ESAB, Lincoln, HTP. Don't forget to ask if you can buy the demo welder, they usually will give you a nice break in the price.

To answer your question the Miller Diversion 165 is a good little machine for the price for something that can do Aluminum. But think ahead, you say I want to do sheet metal, then it will become I want to weld up my new frame or thicker aluminum. Thats my 2 cents

 

165 is not enough power. It is easier to get more power and just turn it down for the light stuff then you have the reserve do do big welding when needed.

 

Thanks for the input guys!! I will be using it in my shop. I will check out trying a demo!

 

Do you already have a good MIG that you can get the TIG attachments for ?
Why not get a good Mig & Tig set up instaed ?
Just a thought !

 

If you have a top of the line TIG why would you want MIG?

 

I also use a TIG with the torch control. Personally I think it is far superior to a foot pedal, and much more versatile.

Bottom line, use what you got, but don't let a hand control turn you off. It is pretty darned easy.

Also FWIW, I have this page on my website discussing my views on a variety of welding, but keep in mind, I am a hobbiest too, not a professional.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/weldingthoughts.htm

 

I have a finiky,crusty old Dialarch HF and a brand new 210 mig. I rarely use the mig.

 

put a rubber band on the torch control so it always wants to pull down and turn off. Sometimes I would get myself into a place where I could not get it off. I like to foot too but the torch control is not that bad. That welder will be fine for sheet metal and most all automotive stuff, your not welding on bridges. Anything thicker than say 3/16" would be pushing it.

 

I`ve used my Lincoln 185 Tig with foot pedal as my only welder in the Shop for the last 4 plus years. I had/used Miller Synchrowaves for years and this little Lincoln beats the pants off them. Since I don`t weld anything thicker than 1/4, I don`t need a big unit and I don`t know that you will either......Bottom line..try a few different machines on demos until you find one that works for YOU.....

 

I have a Diversion 165 and I really like it for a hobby garage application. Remember it only has a 20% duty cycle so your not going to be able to weld long at high amps.
I have the foot feed also and only use the thumb control for places I cant work the foot control.
Its nice also because it only weighs 50 LBs.

 

I don't know if it's been said here yet, but a good, loose rule of thumb is you want ONE AMP per .001 thickness of material. I think that Diversion 165 would be good for up to 3/16 (.187) thickness. A 250 AMP welder would be good for 1/4 (.250). Like I said, this is just a loose rule of thumb, and I've welded pretty successfully a size up from the welder's amperage with good results. Just something to think about.

 

I have a Miller Synchrowave 180. The dude across the street says it messes with his TV when I use it. No one else has mentioned anything... no problems with my computers or electronics in the house.