TIG - Christmas present for hubby - need advice

Hi all, My hubby frequents this forum (hopefully not enough to uncover this post about his Christmas present) and is a fellow hot rodder/welder/fabricator. So I believe this is the right place to post for advice about a potential Christmas gift for him.

Essentially...hot rods, welding/fabricating, and even minibikes (lol) are my hubby's p***ion. He currently has a MIG/Lincoln welder, which he uses weekly if not more, and he talks a lot about wanting a TIG welder someday. With Christmas coming up, I did a little snooping and came across an older Miller Dialarc HF that's nearby where we live. I know so little about welders in general, and can only ask him so much without him catching on, that I'm needing advice from some like-minded individuals.

He's taken a TIG welding cl*** a few years back from our local community college, which he greatly enjoyed. So while he probably wants a TIG welder to grow into, he's definitely at beginner/entry level.

For those who don't mind, would you please review specs on what I've found and let me know if the model/price is somewhat on target for what I should look for, if I should p*** on it, or even if I should run *fast*. Input from those who are as p***ionate about hot rods and welding/fabricating as my hubby is would be very very much appreciated.

Here is the info as listed:
$1600 - Miller Dialarc HF AC/DC Stick/Tig Welder, older, used very little, original owner bought it brand new and has recently p***ed away. Can TIG weld aluminum and is in great condition. Everything works great. It is ready to use and is on a heavy-duty cart with wheels.

Thank you in advance, sincerely, tweet09

 

Unless you know how to run it, and can check it when you get there to pick it up I wouldn't buy a used one that you know nothing about.... Christmas time is a good time for scams!!!

Buy a new one with a warranty!!

 

The newer TIGs are so much smaller and more powerful than the older ones. I agree with Chaddilac too, buy new if you can. Research a local welding supply store or two. (Not Lowes or H Depot)

 

Ask the seller if you can have your local welding supplier check it out.
If he says NO, p*** the deal up!

 

I would not buy that older used machine. For around the same price you can buy a brand new Inverter technology - Miller Diversion 165 TIG machine that will be way better for your husbands hobby work.

It has high frequency start and will also weld aluminum.

I'm a professional welder and teach welding full time (14 years now )
and the Diversion 165 is what I have in my garage.

I love it, it's a very capable machine that your husband would also enjoy.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00325

 

Syncrowave 200 By miller is a great choice for that price range and is very user friendly. In my opinon dont buy one smaller that 200 or he will out grow it very fast.

With that being said the Syncrowave 250dx is the beez neez of Tig welders for the serious hobbiest. Allthough double the price.

Old machines need people who know how to use them.

 

I bought my Dynasty 200DX from CyberWeld.com Free shipping, no tax & the best prices I found on the web. Just some thoughts

 

I know nothing about TIG welders but, do you have a sister? what a cool wife. I'm sure the welders here will steer you in the right direction.

 

How 'bout two sisters! A new TIG machine sure beats the hell outta socks and underwear!

 

I have to agree with the guys above, you will better served to buy a smaller, new machine vs. an older used machine if you can not test it out. The Millers are great machines and parts/ accessories are availible anywhere. I do not work for them but I buy/rent tons of their stuff and they make a great product.

 

what a great wife... waiiittt a minute.... is this my wife???

just kidding.

i agree with the above - if it's a gift, buy it new. it will be warrantied, can be exchanged, etc.

if he has mig already, probably don't need the stick option on a welder. if he has 220v in the garage (big dryer type plug) consider the Miller Diversion 165. I have it - it's a great machine. i won't grow it out - if i need to TIG bigger stuff, i'll just do it at a friends shop. if he only has 110v, consider Miller Diversion 180. if he needs to weld thicker than 1/4" steel, should probably involve him with the shopping, or exchange the small one after shopping with him.

have a great Christmas! that's sweet of you to put in this effort.

 

I have a Lincoln Precision 185 tig w/ micro start, 220 v. I think they are about $1600 + bottle. I use it for aluminum & chrome-moly & mild steel & I love it, couldn't be happier with it. I think JEG'S sells them.... since I bought my tig, I haven't touched my mig.... What a great Christmas gift that will be!

 

I have a Miller HF 250 i bought 20 years ago and it does what i want it to do.I gave $1500 for it with a bunch of rod with it.By todays standards they are a little behind todays welders,but plenty good enough for a hot roddr.I would go for it.You can also get the serial number and take it to a Miller dealer to see what year it is and see if they think the price is right.

 

I second this, I got my 165 new for 1k plus bottle.

 

I caught you Honey.

You could have just asked me. Best to make sure you get the one I really want. It's too much money to risk just for the surprise, although I do appreciate the thought.

One of those Miller Diversion machines look just fine.

Anyhow, thanks for all your efforts.

I love you,

See you tonight, Pete.

 

Considering your husband is a welder/ fabricator, he probably has definite ideas or wants when it comes to a tig set up. A surprise is nice, but it could easily turn into a disappointment with equipment that may not be what he has in mind specifically. I would much rather have input with a
spe******ed and expensive purchase to be sure it is adequate. It is the thought that counts. Just a thought anyway.

 

My old Miller Dialarc HF came with a water cooled torch, foot control, and long cables. Paid $850 10 or 12 years ago for it. $1600 seems really high. It is a great welder though.

My wife got it for a gift for me too, she just let me pick it out.

 

I'll through in my 2 cents. I use a Miller Synchrowave 200. Excellent machine with a lot more control than the diversion for about $500 more. I know that sounds like a lot, but if he uses it with any frequency, you'll appreciate the additional features and control of the 200. You can find them as a "runner" package for about $2200 and 5 year warranty.

 

Eastwood co. sells a brand new 200 amp tig for around $700.00

 

Those older machines need a lot of juice. I looked at some of them till I realized I needed upwards of an 80 amp circuit. I don't know what size welder he has now. It could be 110 or 220 volt.
If he is welding in a home garage the electric service might not be able to handle that machine + everything else in the home.
Just something to think about

 

I second that motion. The Miller is a good welder and very light and compact.Plus it's the same $$$.

 

Thank you all so much! Sorry, TheMonkey and Pete, this is not your wife (at least I hope neither of you is my husband...wait a minute...where IS he...lol).

I've researched the seller a bit - as much as I can with what I know and all seems legit. The biggest thing would be to check the welder out - I've thought of surprising my hubby by telling him that we're going somewhere and surprising him by taking him to check out the welder instead (he'd never guess it in a million years).

However, if I buy new (thank you all for your recommendations!!) I might be able to pull that off by buying it and if he's disappointed/wants a different one, I'll be sure that I can return/exchange. I guess I just love the idea of being able to surprise him with something that he really really wants but would never guess he's getting. Hee hee.

Btw, any thoughts on HTP? He's mentioned that several times when talking about welders, but I don't see anyone mention them?

Based on your input, here is my research list if the Dialarc doesn't pan out (yep, he has 220v):
Miller Diversion 165
Dynasty 200DX
Lincoln Precision 185
Miller Synchrowave 200 - might be too $$$

Happy Thanksgiving!! Thanks so much for your input!!
-Awesome wife (you said it, not me, lol)

 

go with a miller!!

 

Miller Dynasty DX 200 amps. 45 lbs, size of a suitcase welds from 110 volt, 220volt, 460 volt, single phase or three phase.Which means any kind of power supply. Needs 40amp 220 service normally. Do you know the amperage rating of the receptical. Some of the biggger older non inverter machines take a 60-70 am service! I would definetly check that before purchase. The plug he hooks the welder to now should have printed on the receptical what the volts and amps it is rated for. A little pricey for the hobbiest, but what a machine. very tunable and portable. Hope this helps.

 

I am a big Miller fan. Shop around and look in the internet for prices.

And most of all , you are one heck of a lady to take this on to surprise our husband, he is a lucky guy.

Good luck

 

I suspect your husband is going to be pleasantly surprised. I suggest you stop by a local welding supply shop near you and determine a machine that fits into your budget that has all the accessories he will need to start using it right away. Then you can suggest a ride to the specific address of the supply house as you near Christmas. Show him what you have in mind, but let him pick out what he wants within your budget range. He will be happy, you will be happy, and you will have a service outlet should a problem arise, or when he needs consumables or other stuff. I'd be nervous buying something as expensive as a Tig used unless you could test it first, and then it would have to be cheap. That one doesn't sound cheap to me. Gene

 

I have that same welder , have it in my shop i bought mine used with a water cooler and 20 ft water cooled torch 11 years ago for 1,000. Yes it is old tech, big and heavy, However it will weld anything your husband would want to do.Plus side is they are like an old pickup, hard to destroy one and there are only two ckt boards in it , both boards are cheap compared to the boards for the later model welders.My friend has the SYnCHROWAVE, I cannot tell much diff when using his as to mine, maybe i am not as good of a welder. When i asked my local supply about upping to a later syncro wave, he said, Unless you are welding aLOT of aluminum, your 250 hf will be just fine and outlast you and me both, He told me very seldom do they need repairs, told me ckt boards for the later welders are upwards of $300. I am very happy with mine have welded 1/2 inch with it. Inverters are nice because of weight and size, However these old trucks have a great DUTY CYCLE.All in all my advice is 1600 is a little high, if it has a cooler , foot pedal and water torch 1200 would be a decent buy, But like others have said it needs to be checked out first, NO FRIENDS THAT COULD WELD WITH IT TO CK OUT FOR YOU??

 

When looking at used machines make sure that it's not a 220volt 3 phase machine, you will need a 220 volt single phase machine. On another note there is also the Miller Diversion 180 tig welder (search ebay for the Diversion 180). The Miller Diversion 160 is a little on the small side. A used Miller Syncrowave 180 is a good machine also (I have a Syncrowave 180, and it's perfect for building cars). Lincoln tig welders aren't nearly as good as a Miller tig welder, I had a Lincoln 185 and I wasn't happy with it.

 

Really happy with my Miller Diversion 165. I have welded with a lot of different TIG machines and I think the 165 is just a great all around machine that you can buy new fairly cheap.

 

I have a Miller 185 syncrowave year 2000 although i have replaced the brain in it(2 yrs ago) ,cost $800.i did buy it second hand 4 yrs ago.I paid $1000 for it back then.
Miller is a great brand.Try your local welding shop as they often have used models/trade ins for sale

Good luck and great present idea!

my metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com