Going to buy a Miller Diversion 180 tomorrow night, what to look out for?

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I'm going to buy a slightly used Miller Diversion 180 tomorrow night. It's a craigslist deal. I have never TIG'd in my life, and only MIG'd one time, so I'm quite the novice. I was wondering if y'all could give me some tips on what to look for when I go to pick it up to ensure that I'm not getting ripped off. Thanks!Adam
Reply:Ask him run a bead on Steel and Aluminum- call to make sure that he has some stock on hand, if not bring some.Other than that not much you'll be able to check out- it either works or it don't.Home/Hobby Tig people usually don't beat the krap out of their machines because it takes a certain mindset to TIGMight even be under warranty- I think they have 3 yr warrantyEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Make sure amperage wheel works on torch handle.  Consider buying a foot pedal.  I am still saving up to get one.  For its limited amperage I like mine.  I may have used 4 hours or so now ... just for hobby things.  Still on my first bottle.
Reply:Thanks for the responses. The guy stopped answering my calls, typical craigslist. I'm prob just going to order a new one this week.  - Adam
Reply:Eh, it happens. Ebays the cheapest Ive seen, and when you have a new unit you know it hasnt been abused or neglected in the past as well.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Check out Weldersource.Com they have the best prices I've found, listed on Miller's site as authorized online, local, & service dealer. Free shipping, only took 2 days for my 211 to get here from Miller factory. And with golden ticket promotion from Miller you get $150 mail in rebate on diversion 180. I wanted to keep $ local but best price on 211 was 1010 not including 8.75% tax here, I got it from them for 928,no tax or shipping. Was worth the 1000 I saved, that's not including $75 rebate. Unfortunately I had to give my uncle back his 252Millermatic 211 Lincoln Idealarc 250-250, ~500lb water cooled tig
Reply:Just be sure and do your homework and make sure this will do what you want before you sink your money into it.I see lots of guys who want to buy one for the following reasons... #1 it can do AC and they want to do alum.. #2 It can be run on 110v rather than 230v... #3 the price is lower than other AC/DC tigs by major name makers.All of this is true, but there are a few things many forget or don't pay attention to. It can do alum, but it's underpowered for more than say 1/8", especially with the low duty cycle on max amps. It can tig on 110v power, but to do much you need more than a 20 amp outlet  can provide and even then your output is limited. You're even more limited on standard 15 amp outlets. ( the machine draws 26.5 amps on 115v power to get the max output of 125 amps) Forget alum on 115v unless it's less than 1/16" or so. You won't have the output available using standard outlets. ( rated at 60 amps output on 11.3 amps of 115v power) You give up the ability to stick weld. You can't adjust any settings like balance or pre/post flow. You don't have options like pulse. You can't move up to a water cooled torch or a longer lead. You loose all of this to save maybe $400 over the price of a new Syncrowave 200.The Sync 200 is a lot more machine for that $400. It's a wonderful stick machine. You have the ability to adjust your balance, post flow and have the ability to use pulse if you want. You can use what ever torch you want and run a cooler if needed. The down side is it's 230v only, but if you want to use more than say 75-80 amps you'd need to run a dedicated 30 amp 115v line anyways, so why not just run a 230v line and be done with it?.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:Something else to also consider is the warranty. From what I've read, Miller's warranty only applies the the original purchaser.Last edited by Aircamperace; 08-08-2011 at 07:51 PM.
Reply:technically the warranty is nontransferable, but from what I understand they don't exercise that clauseDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Originally Posted by turktechnically the warranty is nontransferable, but from what I understand they don't exercise that clause
Reply:Originally Posted by AircamperaceSomething else to also consider is the warranty. From what I've read, Miller's warranty only applies the the original purchaser.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWJust be sure and do your homework and make sure this will do what you want before you sink your money into it.I see lots of guys who want to buy one for the following reasons... #1 it can do AC and they want to do alum.. #2 It can be run on 110v rather than 230v... #3 the price is lower than other AC/DC tigs by major name makers.All of this is true, but there are a few things many forget or don't pay attention to. It can do alum, but it's underpowered for more than say 1/8", especially with the low duty cycle on max amps. It can tig on 110v power, but to do much you need more than a 20 amp outlet  can provide and even then your output is limited. You're even more limited on standard 15 amp outlets. ( the machine draws 26.5 amps on 115v power to get the max output of 125 amps) Forget alum on 115v unless it's less than 1/16" or so. You won't have the output available using standard outlets. ( rated at 60 amps output on 11.3 amps of 115v power) You give up the ability to stick weld. You can't adjust any settings like balance or pre/post flow. You don't have options like pulse. You can't move up to a water cooled torch or a longer lead. You loose all of this to save maybe $400 over the price of a new Syncrowave 200.The Sync 200 is a lot more machine for that $400. It's a wonderful stick machine. You have the ability to adjust your balance, post flow and have the ability to use pulse if you want. You can use what ever torch you want and run a cooler if needed. The down side is it's 230v only, but if you want to use more than say 75-80 amps you'd need to run a dedicated 30 amp 115v line anyways, so why not just run a 230v line and be done with it?
Reply:Originally Posted by superskaterxesis all this true and realistic? its not like im doubting you but if miller says you only need a 20A breaker for the 115v input, why would it require 26A for the full output?