QC problms with Miller Diversion series?

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I've been comparing just about every damn inverter based TIG in the under-$2500 price range for the last couple months while saving my money.  Power supply is the main reason, I only have room for one more 40amp 220v circuit so the Lincoln PT225 and other transformer based machines are out of the question.  I've looked at HTP, Everlast, Esab,  TA, everything.  I keep coming back to the Miller because it'll do everything I need it to (90% of it's time will be on custom motorcycle exhausts in a home hobbyist setting), the price is right, and I'm not super comfortable going with an import.Now I'm hearing some rumors from my CC welding instructor and even from the salesman at the LWS that there have been frequent problems with the Diversion line.  The LWS does carry Miller, but perhaps he was trying to upsell me.  Either way, now I'm not so sure about the Diversion.  Has anyone heard these rumors too, or have any Diversion 165/180 owners experienced any problems?
Reply:Install a Sub panel and make room for the PT225What is your service100amp200amp?One man shop you can  put a 100 amp Sub panel in the geerage fed by a 60amp breaker and have plenty of spots for your machines.I have 100amp serviceran a subpanel to the garage with my 120v needs and then 2 30amp 240v circuits. By meeeself can't run 2 things at once so no worries.Ed 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:I already have a 100amp subpanel in the garage.  15 amp breaker for interior lights/outlets 20 amp breaker for the panel GFI 20 amp breaker on the door opener and a 20 amp breaker on the outside lights/outlets30 amp breaker for the 220v electric heater 30 amp breaker for the 220v compressorI'm by no means an electrician, but I do know there's a few circuits I could combine and free some space up, but I doubt it's going to get me room for the 70amp breaker Lincoln says the PT225 needs.The plan is to unplug the compressor and plug the TIG into that outlet when needed.
Reply:90% of the time on ExhaustI would go with a Hobart Eztig 165icomes with Foot Pedal, free shipping from Northern $1,349.00or go with a TA 185http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...RC--TIG/Detailright at your $2,500.00 budget but one heck of a little welder and does offer Stick welding capabilities. 240v only though.Where are you located?Ed 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:I'm in southeastern Wisconsin.I can find the Hobart ez-tig for around $1250, and the Diversion for $1750.  Looking at the spec sheets, it seems like the only features the Diversion has over the Hobart is the ability to run on 110 (which I wont need) and that it's got a little higher amperage.  Maybe the Hobart really would be the better choice.  If I ever find the need to be tigging thick aluminum I suppose at that time I do some upgrades to my service and pick up a bigger machine.  I already have a MIG I use for thick steel.Hmmmm....
Reply:Aloominum sucks up some power so even the Diversion 180 is limited.The TA has a little advantage in that you can adjust it a lot more but it is still a 185amp machine and they are $2,500.00 nowEven if you go with the Diversion I wouldnt worry too much about QC- Miller has good customer service so iffin' ya get a Monday or Friday machine  you'll get it fixed, PIA I know but at least Miller, as well as Hobart, do stand behind their machines.Ed 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:The only problem that would prevent me from buying the diversion or ez tig is they will not stick weld. They are deticated tig only machines. If stick is not your thing, either one would be great machines.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by WiscoI'm in southeastern Wisconsin.I can find the Hobart ez-tig for around $1250, and the Diversion for $1750.  Looking at the spec sheets, it seems like the only features the Diversion has over the Hobart is the ability to run on 110 (which I wont need) and that it's got a little higher amperage.  Maybe the Hobart really would be the better choice.  If I ever find the need to be tigging thick aluminum I suppose at that time I do some upgrades to my service and pick up a bigger machine.  I already have a MIG I use for thick steel.Hmmmm....
Reply:Inverter boards can cost what you can buy a used transformer machine for:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=55024You cannot turn up amps you don't have. I never heard anyone regret buying too capable a welding machine. If you need to save for a bit longer, it will be worth it.
Reply:I have a div 180..The pedal acts weird sometimes,like it doesn't let the arc go out sometimes at the end of the weld ..There was talk about this pedal on the miller boards as well..I think there is some piece of metal inside of it that you can bend to fix this..There is also a nicer aftermarket pedal available..Honestly I hate the pedal that came with it, its too small and touchy..Other than that its been fine..
Reply:Stop and think for a minute, youre not going to be using the machine flat out all the time so their is wiggle room as far as what your breaker requirements are, I have a Long. LS200 Tig on a 30 amp circuit and have yet to overload it so you can go with the Lincoln 225 easy.Also these machines are inverters using cawkcroft-walton voltage multiplier circuit or dirivatives of it, which eliminates the large current draw of transformer based machines using transistor switching-capacitor charging to condition waveform, probably half the conventional current draw.I think your good at 40 amps.
Reply:I suggest you look a little more at the HTP Invertig 201. HTP is great to deal with, and their inverter machine draws only 30 amps. It can also be used to stick weld, if need be.
Reply:Thanks for the reference wkdivr!Wisco,The 201 has been replaced by the 221.  20 amps more power, 28 lbs lighter, ability to independantly adjust En and Ep in the AC mode, plus a host of other features, and until the middle of July, the same price as the 201.  If you are in SE WI, why don't you come down and try one out?Jeff NolandDrive a LincolnDrink a MillerWeld with an HTP
Reply:The nice thing about the Diversion 180 is it will run on 110V.  On a motorcycle (or race car) you are looking at .120 - .134 thickness tubing - typically just barely in range, but doable on 110.  And if your looking at chromoly, its more like .090Most of the other welders mentioned are 220V welders.As for you subpanel.  Just because the sub panel says 100 Amps, doesn't mean all the breakers must add up to no more than 100Amps.  If you are not comfortable with electricity, spend the bucks and hire an electrician.  Typically you will need to have enough capacity for all those things that can be on at the same time (header, compressor, etc.) and then enough to handle surges like garage door, lights etc.  Rarely will you draw full 20 Amps from an outlet.  I say rarely because a 15 Amp chop saw has been known to blow a 20 Amp breaker....   Personally I like keeping the air compressor plugged in.  Its my first line of defense in case of fire - cools things down really fast.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:I have had my 180 for 2 months and it has no issues. All of the problems I have had are with the dyslexic-leaning operator.After using it and learning quite a bit, I would still definitely buy it again. The settings are very simple to manage and while I don't understand what is happening for the most part, it seems to be bringing its part to the table.I have yet to enable my 240 connection to both of my welders so everything I have done is on 120 with both Miller machines and the performance has been amazing - but I am not that hard to impress either.Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™Miller Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIGEvery air tool made...if it can be driven by air, I want it.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neon Sign Fabricatorwww.casinoneon.com
Reply:i own a thermal arc 185tsw (arcmaster)...  you wont be disappointed..   i've had mine for 5 or 6 yrs and its worth every penny..  i run mine on a 50amp ciruit, but i think it actually requires a 30amp circuit, i would have to look and make certain..  thermal arc has had a price increase over the last few yrs.. the thermal arc 185 is running right at $2500 now..  i bought mine from ioc, but i didnt give anywhere near that for mine.. http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...RC--TIG/Detail   i've seen the ta 185 pop up on craiglist from time to time in the $1300-$1500 range. ive read posts with people having alot of problems with the pedal on the miller diversion series..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/