Diversion 165 or TA 185?

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Hello, Im trying to decide what will be better for me between the Miller diversion 165 or the TA 185.  I have read as much as I can about each, but having only tig welded a few times before and never done aluminum this is all new to me.  The more I read about having pulse, balance control, square wave, etc. I dont know which way to go.  The miller looks like it will be more user friendly for a noob, but I think Ill be sorry down the road once I know what Im doing if I pass on the one with all the features.  What Im looking for is a machine mainly for aluminum,  I have a mig and Im quite comfortable with it.  I have always wanted to learn to tig aluminum, and now I finally have the cash to buy the machine.  I just dont want to be sorry with my purchase.
Reply:personally id go TA 185 or they now do a TA 200 also.you dont have to turn the pulse on if you dont want tothey would be got for up to 1/4" aluG
Reply:I'd go for the TA 185.  Good bang for the buck.  I really like mine.Butch W.Butch W.Lincoln 180C MIGThermalArc TA 185 - WP-20 TorchMiller 375 X-treme Plasma CutterVictor Journeyman O/A Set
Reply:check with your local suppliers, I go my syncrowave 200 tigrunner brand new for 1100.00 from my local airgas dealer, they just wanted to move some inventory, check around and you just my get lucky.Miller Bobcat 225Miller Syncrowave 200Lincoln SP 175 PlusThermal Dynamics Econo Pac 25Victor O/A
Reply:Get the Thermal Arc, better and more versitile.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by Brian216 The miller looks like it will be more user friendly for a noob,Not really I just dont want to be sorry with my purchase.You won't
Reply:You will quickly graduate from the miller to the thermal arc, so just get the TA first.I have a TA-185.  Its done some quite unique jobs and made me a lot of $.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I agree that the TD 185 would be the much better choice, plus I believe you can stick weld with the TD if needed and you can not with the Diversion. The TD 185 are rock solid to boot and the Diversion has only been out their for a short time.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I just bought a TA185 and so far so good. On my first attempt I was able to throw down some pretty good beads on aluminum and stainless. I am still messing with the pulse features. I had to learn how to set parameters,save and load. I do think the Abitig aircooled torch rig is cumbersome.Do you know how the torch head comes off the Abitig unit?Does it just unscrew? or do you have to take some torqx screws out? I will get a foot pedal and smaller torch for more comfort and control.