Diversion 165...A 1st pass review

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I received my Diversion 165 this afternoon. This welder replaces a Miller Syncrowave 180SD that was just too large for my shop and was more than I needed for my hobby "Tigging".   I bought the Diversion on Ebay from Indiana Oxygen for a bit under $1300. The cart is from Harbor Freight Tools for $50. I built the rod storage out of PVC pipe. The unit arrives "plug and play". Everything is connected. The only connection you need to make is the shielding gas. I wasn't to thrilled with the simple barb connections with hose clamps, but I'm sure it will be fine. Miller supplies about 10 feet of hose. I cut just what I needed and connected the shielding gas to the welderThe gauges are Smiths and are of reasonable quality.The torch is a "Weldcraft LS17". It seems to be just the right size for my uses.It has a thumb wheel control and a start stop push button switch.All of the controls are well labeled and easy to use.And it all plugs in with a simple 230V plug.Tomorrow I'll run some welds and report back on performance........Roy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Nice looking machine and setup.  I like the filler rod holders.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Is that a ethernet port?Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldIs that a ethernet port?
Reply:I thought that it was referring to the cable beside it.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldIs that a ethernet port?
Reply:Looks good.
Reply:Must be european built.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Anyone know how tall the harborfreight cart is? (Without the welder on it)
Reply:28.5" to the top of the slanted top shelf...........Roy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Hey, Roy,Did you ever get around to using that new Diversion, yet?  Getting close to ordering one, so looking forward to your input, as to performance.Thanks.
Reply:Yes, I just cam in from the garage where I was playing around with it.........A few comments:Much smoother Arc Start than the Syncrowave 180SD. Nice and gradual.Very easy to control the arc on aluminum. When dealing with very delicate welds (which I'll be using this for) the finger control is awesome. But I can see times when sitting at a welding table a foot control might be better.....(Christmas Gift?)I tried playing with the "Spot" button.........But I'm not quite sure what I'm doing with this. More experimentation needed.........But all in all, I like it much better than the Syncrowave 180SD. I just think an inverter based welder is a bit easier to use than a Xformer based machine. Especially if you are not using it every day. For a hobbiest, you might not use it for months at a time, and then you almost have to relearn it all over again. And I like the limited amount of switches and knobs.......Not much to forget when it's not being used.........I'm liking it so far!Roy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Cool, After you've been using it awhile, let us see some welds!Miller 140 w A/SHF Flux Core WelderDewalt Chop SawSmith O/A TorchHarley Electra Glide Classic
Reply:Today I got to do some aluminum welding with the Diversion. Let me state that when I had my Syncrowave 180 SD I tried to do some aluminum welding and it was a disaster. It was total hit or miss. I was getting very frustrated so with this Diversion, my hopes were not high.I have an aluminum ramp that I use to load motorcycles and my snowblower into the back of the truck. I wanted to add a few more rungs in between the ones already there. I figured if I screwed it up, I could always pop-rivet them (ugh!)More practice is needed but for a total Aluminum Welding experience of about 20 minutes, these are not bad!  With the SW180SD, these would be globs of aluminum or holes or big black aluminum mud pits!I used 1/16 Red Tungsten with 1/32 Alum rod. Had the Diversion set at 1/8"Now a few comments:I find the ON/OFF switch on the torch very difficult to use. With gloves on it is too close to the Amp wheel. But I guess I'll get used to it.The thumb wheel is extremely difficult to use. It is way too small with gloves on. I wish it were a regular trigger like an electric drill and that it worked exactly like the foot pedal. With this torch you need to hit the ON/OFF button and then find the thumb wheel all without dipping the tungsten into the metal. I'm sure I'll get better at it, but it just doesn't seem right.......The arc start is extremely smooth. Much better than the 180SD, and even if you are a bit shaky, the arc stays very focused and easy to manipulate. I'm not sure if this is because this machine is inverter based or what. But it is very easy to maintain a nice arc.Comments?Roy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Welds look good except the ending.  Craters......  Try building a tit at the end so when it cools and shrinks it looks like the rest of the weld.  Just pause and add one more dip than you think you need.  Back off on the heat slowly and pull the torch back over the bead.  It doesn't matter what machine you use....Its the operator.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Those welds don't look bad. Try backing off at the end then adding one more dip of the filler rod to help fill the crater.
Reply:David must type faster than I do he beat me to it
Reply:Thanks for the advise.........I'll try that tomorrowRoy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Really a Snycro 200 is a better aluminum machine then the SD-180.Your inverter is fixed at 120 HZ and somewhere around 70 % electrode negative. The 120 HZ and the extra dc time is going to keep the arc narrower and better at staying on target.The foot pedal is the coolest little thing. It's so small that you could put between your arm/body and use, instead of the clunky torch unit. It's a super low profile setup.I been waiting for years for somebody to make one and Miller finally built one. Bet you will start to see more like it soon. Even the Ethernet cable is not a bad Idea. Cheap to replace if you cut it. Just head to Radio Shack and pick up something to get you going.
Reply:I ordered a foot pedal this AM....$130.....It will be here Wednesday. In many cases the thumb wheel would be better for my applications, but there are times I'll be seated at a bench and the foot pedal will win out.Thanks for the advise.........Roy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Originally Posted by rbertalottoToday I got to do some aluminum welding with the Diversion. Let me state that when I had my Syncrowave 180 SD I tried to do some aluminum welding and it was a disaster. It was total hit or miss. I was getting very frustrated so with this Diversion, my hopes were not high.I have an aluminum ramp that I use to load motorcycles and my snowblower into the back of the truck. I wanted to add a few more rungs in between the ones already there. I figured if I screwed it up, I could always pop-rivet them (ugh!)More practice is needed but for a total Aluminum Welding experience of about 20 minutes, these are not bad!  With the SW180SD, these would be globs of aluminum or holes or big black aluminum mud pits!I used 1/16 Red Tungsten with 1/32 Alum rod. Had the Diversion set at 1/8"Now a few comments:I find the ON/OFF switch on the torch very difficult to use. With gloves on it is too close to the Amp wheel. But I guess I'll get used to it.The thumb wheel is extremely difficult to use. It is way too small with gloves on. I wish it were a regular trigger like an electric drill and that it worked exactly like the foot pedal. With this torch you need to hit the ON/OFF button and then find the thumb wheel all without dipping the tungsten into the metal. I'm sure I'll get better at it, but it just doesn't seem right.......The arc start is extremely smooth. Much better than the 180SD, and even if you are a bit shaky, the arc stays very focused and easy to manipulate. I'm not sure if this is because this machine is inverter based or what. But it is very easy to maintain a nice arc.Comments?
Reply:Miller Goat Skin TIG gloves. Very "tactical"Roy BDartmouth, Mahttp://www.rvbprecision.comMM 185 MIGDiversion 165Purox W200 O/AGrizzly 9957 MillGrizzly 4030 Metal Band SawGrizzly 1050 Knife Belt SanderJet 1236 Metal LatheCM 14" Metal Band SawTP Blast Cabinet
Reply:Thanks for your review. I'm looking at the Diversion myself to use as an additional machine. Your description and images are helpful. Looks like with a little practice, you'll be wearing the no dial smile.Last edited by MEWelding.com; 09-05-2010 at 08:33 PM. Maine Welding Company & Wrought Iron Powered by Custom Web Development
Reply:Welds look good aside from the the craters as has been mentioned. Don't knock the sync180/200. Ive used at least ten of them and welded boat loads of AL with them with great success. Not that I hate the diversion or think they are worse machines. I just dont want people thinking selling their syncs and buying diversions is the answer to their problems with AL. 99% of the time its operator error.
Reply:That torch looks interesting.  I wouldn't mind having one with a push button on/off switch for use on the truck.  Alot of times on mobile jobs, the foot pedal is not easy to operate (standing on a ladder, laying under a machine, etc).   I wonder if they make that torch with regular separate power/gas connectors to hook up to other machines.  Does it have a flexible neck?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith opI believe after some research and a "reality check".  This is the machine for me.  An artist on Utube some years ago posted a little about her 165.  She loves it for what she does.  She also replaced the standard foot control with a beefier SSC Controls version that doesn't use a pulley system inside the housing but a more reliable brass something or other.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33That torch looks interesting.  I wouldn't mind having one with a push button on/off switch for use on the truck.  Alot of times on mobile jobs, the foot pedal is not easy to operate (standing on a ladder, laying under a machine, etc).   I wonder if they make that torch with regular separate power/gas connectors to hook up to other machines.  Does it have a flexible neck?
Reply:Looks exactly like how the TIG torches are set up at work, only we use a 1/8" tungsten. Crater filling on aluminum takes some getting used to! Gotta "pulse" it by hand, but it worksGive me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.
Reply:was gonna suggest try welding with no glove on the right hand.  165 anpps max?  . depending on how long a bead you r making it might be ok.. i do that a lot...actually often do that with feed hand as well.Last edited by weldbead; 05-23-2011 at 05:34 AM.