Tools & Fabrication - Tig welder info?

I'm looking to buy a tig welder I'm looking at the miller 165 but I'm still doin research but wanted to get yalls input on which tig y'all would recommend other than the miller. Price wise the miller is 1650 so that's te max I would want to spend but as long as it performs well I'm fine with a cheaper unit it's goin to be jus home use but want a unit that can stand up to building cages and tanks, or anything car or home related.

I bought a diversion 165 a few months ago, used it for a while on aluminum. My only tig experience, so can't compare. But price and quality wise im very happy.

I have the miller Diversion 180 and the the 110 / 220 option well worth the extra cash... Paid $ 1706 plus tax from an air gas dealer.

don't forget your going to need to add a bottle for the argon. mine came out to about 200 shipped to my house and filled locally.

That option wasn't worth it for me, i haven't bought my own house yet, but at my parents i simply added a 220v breaker and outlet. took maybe 20 min. When i buy my own house i will be running 220v in my garage/shop. My mig is 220 so i need it regardless.

Well the outlet isn't a problem for me my shop has both 220 and 110 I already have a miller mig and stick jus continuing my tool collection next is a tig and plasma but can't decide which to get first

I am wanting to buy one of these units as well to do aluminum (thin stuff) and stainless (exhaust). I have a stick welder for anything metal thats really thick.
The majority of what I will do is aluminum and the thickest job I will do is welding a bellhousing. Can this unit do these things?

Personally i would never but another TIG machine if it did not have pulse. But that is when you get into the 2,000+$ machines.

Im uneducated with this stuff, whats the pulse do?

pulse is a feature that makes the arc...well, pulse. it's a way to drastically reduce heat input and have a little bit more control of the puddle.

some machines have more features than others, but basically you set the amps, then you control what % of the time the arc is at full amperage and at what % of the time it is at a lower amperage. you can usually also control how fast it flucuates between the high and low amperages. search around on youtube or go to weldingtipsandtricks.com to see videos of pulse welding in action. my dynasty 200DX has a nice range of adjustability with its pulse feature, but i've been welding long enough that i can handle most any job without it. it makes welding Dr Pepper cans together easier, and i may use it on aluminum occasionally, but that's about it.

As most I'm against buying offshore stuff but for your price range you can get an AC/DC TIG-Plasma Cutter in one . Many have used these with success but I have not ever used or seen one . They seem to be a great option for the home shop . I'm fortunate enough to have 4 Miller Dynasty 350s @ work among other cool stuff :)

Idk i would avoid the oversees units. I thought about it when i got my mig. Although not one of the bigger brands, still not a china made unit. For a bigginer tigging aluminum is a bitch! I figured i would dive in head first, if you have the cash get one with a foot pedal. The diversion 165 has the nob on the gun, and you can get the pedal seperitly, but don't get the miller pedal theres better ones for the 165. Controlling the nob makes puddle control a little harder.

it makes welding Dr Pepper cans together easier, and i may use it on aluminum occasionally, but that's about it.

I bought my son's Miller XMT304 for use in the garage, he stepped up to a Miller Dynasty since he welds a lot of aluminum. He doesn't drink much Dr.Pepper but he sure likes his favorite brew, here's what he did will a couple of left-over cans using the Dynasty. He's also welded a couple of pieces of aluminum foil together.

Mike

I live my Lincoln Square wave, but I think they Dynasty Miller blows it away, if not a Dynasty then only get a Lincoln square wave.

I bought my son's Miller XMT304 for use in the garage, he stepped up to a Miller Dynasty since he welds a lot of aluminum. He doesn't drink much Dr.Pepper but he sure likes his favorite brew, here's what he did will a couple of left-over cans using the Dynasty. He's also welded a couple of pieces of aluminum foil together.

Mike

bud light FTW :lol:

Those XMT's are very handy little machines. i'd like to have one, but really don't have a use for one. It'd just be nice to have a good multi-process machine laying around.

I've heard a legend about someone welding gum wrappers together, but i'm going to wave the BS flag on that one :bs: .....unless someone can post pics

I have an HTP invertig 201, very happy with it. I do a lot of mild steel, aluminun, stainless, stupid cast metal. Haven't had any issues in the almost 2 years I've had it. Under $2000 if memory serves, 200 amps, it gets a little hot if you use it for too long but thats my fault for not getting a watercooled torch. One of these days I'll upgrade.