tig welder or spool gun????

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Im not for sure what would be best for me. I really would like to have both but cant afford that now. I have found a miller diversion 165 for 750 only been used once. I have a lincoln powermig 255 and could buy a spool gun for about 200 more. I have people that are wanting boats fixed and fuel tanks built for cars all the time. i know the spool gun would be faster but would i be able to weld thin aluminum with it still like the boats and with the tig would it take forever to get a fuel tank welded.Last edited by kyleb0789; 09-02-2011 at 11:34 PM.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:Spool gun is nice but for tanks I would go TIG, better for clean fusion in tight spots. TIG definately better when you get to 1/8" and thinner as well. I have both but if I had to give 1 up it would be the spooly, unless I was doing a lot of mass structural Fab work.    Bet Zap will vote for TIG  LOL"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:As what you are doing would fall into thin material and critical welds I would go for TIG also...   But you also need the appropriate skill at tig welding...Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:honestly i have never tig welded aluminum. I have done alot of stainless 2" pipe which i know will be alot different then aluminum but still the same concept i think besides you cant walk the cup can you.  But yea im sure zap would ha. From what i see of his work he for sure knows how to tig. I plan on doing alot of practice with it before i start trying to do something on somebodys boat or anything.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:I'd suggest going for the tig also. 1/8" alum is about the max for that Diversion. Usually I feel the Diversion's are overpriced and under powered, but $750 seems reasonable for a machine with that capability.If you can do a decent job on stainless, you should be able to learn to do alum. I'm guessing since you mention walking the cup, you do stainless pipe. If you can also do thin stainless, and have the heat control down for that, about all you will need to do is get used to the rapid changes in heat you need to do when you do alum. It will probably take a bit before you are up to doing thin alum, but it's just hood time and practice.Last edited by DSW; 09-03-2011 at 04:07 AM..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:i have passed several bend test for tig all the way out and tig root  and 7018 fill and capEquipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:which wouldnt be stainless but still tig welding haEquipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies