Millermatic 175 or DVI?

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subtitle:  Just how important is infinite voltage control?I am upgrading from a little 135 Napa (Marquette) welder which only has 4 voltage settings.  230v is not a problem in my garage, but it would be nice to have the flexibility to go to another place where 115 was the only available power when needed.  I really like the DVI, bigger case so can buy cheaper wire on larger spool, no cart needed, etc. but I hate to give up the infinite voltage from the 175...I have never had infinite voltage, just how much better is it?Would you go with the 175 or the DVI for home garage use (frames, bumpers, sheet metal, etc.)?
Reply:If I really thought I'd need to haul it around, I'd much rather haul around the MM175 with some adapters and extension cords to get 240V from appliance receptacles.  The DVI looks significantly more unwieldy.I had a MM175 for several years (I now have the Passport) and I took it lots of places and always got power.  BUT, some houses are gas only for big appliances and you'd have to come out of the panel to get 240V.  I only had to do that a few times, but I'm also an electrician, so I don't recommend panel taps to those without experience.
Reply:I bought a DVI and am completely happy with it. I work as a welder and can tell you this is a good little welder for the money. 1kI bought it because it fit my budget at the time and I use miller products at work but it has turned out to be a great machine. I weld utility trailers at home and mostly 3/16 to 1/4 with no trouble. The voltage control goes from white on 1,2,3 and blue on 4,5,6,7 settings. White is for operating on 115 (but not limited to 115)and blue for 230. I run 230 in my shop and still rarely have it turned up past  4.It does run better on 230. It just seems to work harder on 115 which makes sense because it takes more effort to make 115 weld-able heat.The M-10 gun isn't great but again, I have had zero problems with this machine. Not to say that you shouldn't get a mm175 but don't count out the DVI.Bill
Reply:A Passport is only $250 more than a DVI, with significantly better performance on 120V input.  Not to mention all the other Passport stuff.I'm not really sure what the market is for the DVI.I'm not denying it's an excellent machine, but $250 more buys a Passport.
Reply:However, I did just remember that the DVI does aluminum, which the Passport is not designed to do.
Reply:Jumping on the thread with a similar question.  I too am looking at the DVI but 220 is in my garage and I will use my 110 welder when I go on a road trip.  I want a bigger more powerful mig but my big driver behind the DVI is it can also weld aluminum.  Has anyone welded aluminum with this unit and can I get feedback?  My aluminum work is limited to thin sheet stock (16 ga +/-) and brackets up to 3/16" for use in custom car fabrication.  I think a tig is over kill and I do not have that skill (yet!).  Can someone let me know if I am making a good choice before I spend $1800?Thanks!
Reply:Are you planning on adding a spoolgun or just running the aluminum through the standard M10 gun?  If the former, then you're fine, but if the latter, you have lots of problems, but it can be done.  Search "MIG aluminum" and read all about them.
Reply:Originally Posted by pfc_markJumping on the thread with a similar question.  I too am looking at the DVI but 220 is in my garage and I will use my 110 welder when I go on a road trip.  I want a bigger more powerful mig but my big driver behind the DVI is it can also weld aluminum.  Has anyone welded aluminum with this unit and can I get feedback?  My aluminum work is limited to thin sheet stock (16 ga +/-) and brackets up to 3/16" for use in custom car fabrication.  I think a tig is over kill and I do not have that skill (yet!).  Can someone let me know if I am making a good choice before I spend $1800?Thanks!
Reply:I am considering the Spoolmate 3035 with the DVI to weld 1/8" aluminum sheet to a an aluminum sub structure made of 1/8" wall square tubing.  Using 220V can I expect good results?  I am a decent mig welder but have zero aliminum experience.  Weight is a primary consideration for this project but I do not htink I can learn tig on the fly!Any recommendations or users who have tried this please jump on.
Reply:Not 1/8" - that would not bend too well around corners!  Probably around 12 - 16 gauge depending on how I have to form the mat'l.
Reply:My suggestion might be to try to talk to a welder who welds for an aluminum boat factory , . they mig & tig each long seam . they tig the ends of each weld first , then weld the rest with mig . I guess some are robotic , by now , but  i guess a lot is still done manually . and , as we all know , the outer skin is pretty thin  .
Reply:Originally Posted by Roy HodgesMy suggestion might be to try to talk to a welder who welds for an aluminum boat factory , . they mig & tig each long seam . they tig the ends of each weld first , then weld the rest with mig . I guess some are robotic , by now , but  i guess a lot is still done manually . and , as we all know , the outer skin is pretty thin  .
Reply:Thanks for the info!  I'll try to get some scrap 5052 around that thickness and start making sparks.
Reply:Originally Posted by pfc_markJumping on the thread with a similar question.  I too am looking at the DVI but 220 is in my garage and I will use my 110 welder when I go on a road trip.  I want a bigger more powerful mig but my big driver behind the DVI is it can also weld aluminum.  Has anyone welded aluminum with this unit and can I get feedback?  My aluminum work is limited to thin sheet stock (16 ga +/-) and brackets up to 3/16" for use in custom car fabrication.  I think a tig is over kill and I do not have that skill (yet!).  Can someone let me know if I am making a good choice before I spend $1800?Thanks!
Reply:I've posted this on another thread but, I weld for a boat manufacturer and you can get away without having to buy a spool gun for your DVI. Replace the liner with a teflon one. The whip for the DVI is only 10 feet and thats no problem to push the aluminum wire. The leads I weld with at work are 25-30 feet and although we use a push-pull system, you can push the wire even 25 feet in a fairly straight line. If you only weld aluminum once in a while, then I wouldn't bother with getting a spool gun, just change liners.Also, I am not aware of any aluminum boat manufacturer using robotics yet. Maybe some of the larger ship builders but I don't know. If you find one, I would like to see it.Happy welding.Bill
Reply:What alloy and what thickness are you mig welding on boats?  Seem like around .100" and 5052 series is the consensus.  Before I buy a sheet I want to confirm it is formable and weldable.  Thanks to everyone for there help.
Reply:.100 to .190(3/16) 5052, 5086? and 6061. I think its 5086. It doesn't like to bend 90 degrees..100 is tricky. weld up some scraps. Turn your voltage down a little and your wire down alot. Wire that stuff too fast and you will go through for sure. Bill
Reply:i think i would save up a few more $$ and get the MM210 it is a much beter unit and clearly a step abover the DVI, as you do not need the 110V option just get the MM210, its a much more sturdy welder with beter duty cycle and a nicer arc. and with the gun on demand you are ready for any thing that come in.$200 more will get you much more welder summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:I bought a MM210.  Thanks for the feedback.  I still think the DVI is a neat machine for the right application, however.
Reply:tea the DVI has a place but if you have access to 220V power the MM210 is so much more welder for so little more $$. the DVI is realy a MM135 stacked ontop of a MM175. you will realy injoy the MM210 it gets nothing but great reviews from every one that gets one. congrats on the new welder, injoyJames summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:if you are interested in a cover you should check out the ones i'm making, way nicer than the box in a bag factory version, and mine are MADE IN THE U.S.A. 8^)) Attached ImagesLast edited by fun4now.; 08-21-2006 at 10:43 AM. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.