Want a tig

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First, let me disqualify myself.  I am a woodworker, who has never lost the love of working with metal.  I have a small mig made by HTP America and really like it.  Small stuff, repairs and fabrication around the house.I have the hots to get a tig, and am looking at a Miller Diversion 180.  It is really about all I can justify, given the occupational use it would get.  Interested in welding aluminum primarily.  For the most part, I wll be teaching myself, and realize that there is a lot more to welding with a tig as opposed to a mig.Thanks.
Reply:Be advised the Diversion 180 is a bit under powered to do alum. At best figure you will do 1/8" and your duty cycle will be short. Also the Diversion won't let you adjust AC balance and pulse like more advanced machines like the Syncrowave 200. The syncrowave 200 isn't all that much more. You can reduce the Sync 200's price if you get the model without the wheels. It will save you almost $200. In the same price range of the Sync 200 is the TA 185, another good machine. Both will give you the ability to easily weld 3/16" alum and 1/4" under the right circumstances. You gain quite a bit by spending those couple extra hundred and going with a better machine.If you keep your eyes open you can find some decent deals on used Syncrowaves on CL, usually the older Syncro 180's and fairly often the Syncro 200's as well. Usually these go for less than the Diversion would run you new. Don't expect to weld alum on 110v with the Diversion 180, at least not starting out and learning. It will do very thin alum, but it won't do thick enough material for you to learn alum on.  On a tighter buget you can find older AC tig like Miller 330AB/P's for $600 or so used. They are big, heavy and want a lot of juice, but these machines are still excelent and will propably be more than you will ever out grow. There's a lot of guys here who have picked these up for a song and love them.Here's a good example from today showing you can get used ones for decent prices if you look.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...d=1#post497472Take a look at some of the other threads covering this. You'll see the same advise over and over for a reason.Last edited by DSW; 04-11-2011 at 05:31 PM..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:DSW,Thanks, this is exactly why I posted to this forum.  I will take your advise, and commence searching the web for a sync 200.  The shop is wired for 220, so no worries there.Thanks again.Heroic effort is not a sustainable model.
Reply:If you already have an HTP mig, why not look at the HTP Invertig 201. I've been doing the exact same thing the last 2 weeks. I was sold on the Diversion 180, but it is a little too "entry level" for me, but the Invertig looks like quite a machine for the price. I've pretty much made my decesion to get the Invertig, just have to pull the trigger.
Reply:I second the Invertig 201.  I did a lot of research and purchased the 201 with a water cooled torch.  I think it the best value of any new machine out there.  If you can find a used Sync 250 i would think about that one too.  There was one for sale locally here with a bottle of argon for $1500.
Reply:Also, I believe that you cannot stick weld with either of the Diversion models(165, 180).
Reply:Originally Posted by dunemetalAlso, I believe that you cannot stick weld with either of the Diversion models(165, 180).
Reply:I am new to the board but will third, or fourth the recommendation for the Invertig 201.  I too am a woodworker that has done some metal working over the past nine years.  That was because nine years ago I purchased an HTP Mig140 when I was restoring my 1970 Barracuda.  It has been fun using it off and on over the past years.  Finally, I talked myself and a couple of friends into taking a class at the local CC.  I too was hankering for a TIG machine.  After lots of research I was looking for a used Miller Syncrowave.  But the size and electrical supply were a little out of my desired range (ie I have a very small shop).  Then it hit me, look at the TIG welder offered by HTP.  I have been happy with the MIG, why couldn't the same be for the TIG.  A call to Diana and some time later I was purchasing the Invertig 201.  It just came in today.  The kicker is, I am out of town for work until Friday, so I can't play with it until this weekend.Talk to Diana about your interest, she will work with you on the price.
Reply:Please let us know how you like it when you get a chance. I was also thinking about the Eastwood Tig 200. Looks like a decent machine and all. Just got off the phone with them, and they're sold out till May. First batch went in a hurry. Take some pics, too.    Enjoy!!!
Reply:I'll put a plug in for the invertig as well. I bought one about 10 months ago and it's been great. I also purchased their water cooler and torch. Jeff the owner will answer emails and talk to you as required. Nice machine and I believe pricing was comparable.Harold MulderMiller 211 AutosetHTP 201 Invertig with water coolerHardinge Cataract Quick Change Lathe
Reply:A few months back, I was in the market for a TIG as well.   I was looking at Miller's 165 & 185 Diversion series of welders,... primarily.   Then,....I started researching some of the different (popular) imported brands.I thought about the EastWood Tig,....than I started seeing a lot of interest in the EverLast brand.   After much debate,.....I decided on the EverLast 185 MicroTig.   I've had it a little over a month and so far, so good.    I haven't even came close to mastering the art of TIG welding, (especially on aluminum), but I have performed several good-to-average welds on mild steel.FWIW,.....I picked this thing up brand new for $800 (shipping & foot control included).I just really couldn't afford (and didn't have) the extra $1000 to spend on a Miller 185.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=46224
Reply:Why is it that it's always the guys who DON'T KNOW HOW TO TIG WELD that are constantly recommending that readers buy cheap, POS machines.If you're not going to commit to learning the tig welding process properly, then go buy a POS welder.  They collect dust just as well as a quality machine.I don't think I'm going to ask a kid who's still riding a bicycle which 4x4 to buy.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIWhy is it that it's always the guys who DON'T KNOW HOW TO TIG WELD that are constantly recommending that readers buy cheap, POS machines.