New tig welder

admin

Im looking to get me a new tig welder here soon what does everyone think about the miller diversion 165 just for the general job shop usage?Miller Bobcat 250MillerMatic 250 w/ SpoolgunMiller Spectrum 623 X-tremeMiller Regency 250 /SpoolgunComplete Machine Shop
Reply:Make a list of things you want to tackle.
Reply:It could be anything that comes in we own and run a part store and several other businesses and also have our own machine shop so theres a wide variety of things that would be done with itMiller Bobcat 250MillerMatic 250 w/ SpoolgunMiller Spectrum 623 X-tremeMiller Regency 250 /SpoolgunComplete Machine Shop
Reply:If you want to be ready for "anything that comes in" I would think you would be better off with a machine in the 250 amp class.
Reply:The Diversions lack any of the advanced features that are standard on most other tigs. Also you can't stick weld with them. For alum they are underpowered and top out under practical usage at 1/8".  They also use a machine specific torch and you can't easily convert one to a water cooled torch.  For the small savings in money over a new Syncrowave 200 it's not worth it. A nice used Sync 200 will run you about what the Diversion will new, and I've even seen some Sync 250's in that price range.The machine is marketed towards the home hobiest not someone with a commercial shop. You are better off with a Syncrowave, Dynasty 200, TA 185 or Lincoln 185 class machine or  a more powerful unit from one of these manufacturers. If price is a big point, there are any number of older industrial class tigs available on the market these days. 330AB/P's and so on that will get you in the $600-800 range with more power and about the same functions but also make excelent stick machines. If you don't need the AC capasity to do alum, you can get by with any DC stick machine and a scratch start tig rig like many have and match almost all that you could do with the Diversion except the remote capability..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Have to agree. Diversions are nice for the amateur, but won't cut the mustard in a machine shop.
Reply:if its a full blown, full size shop i would probably go with a watercooled syncrowave or dynasty 350..  might even look at the dynasty 700Last edited by brucer; 06-23-2011 at 09:43 AM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I personally like the idea of a second hand syncrowave when I finally end up in a place where I can add a decent 220v line. It seems to be the best bang for the buck for AC capable tig welders that can still run stick. Although I'd much rather have a dynasty. That welder is definition smooooooooooooooth. Plus it's pretty portable and I believe it will run on 110v in a pinch.
Reply:Keep an eye open for school auctions, It might just be my area but a lot of schools seem to be cutting back on their Industrial Arts classes and are selling off their equipment pretty cheaply, The tig machines never seem to get used as much as the rest of the equipment and are often if pretty good shape. A friend of mine picked up 2 older airco units in excellent shape for $75 300amp AC/DC tig ready to go.
Reply:My local CC was giving away an airco 300a ac/dc tig/stick... but it wasn't turning on. I would have snagged it but no place to test the welder, and no way to move it. That thing was HEAVY
Reply:Do they still have that welder to give away??