Looking to get an starter TIG...thoughts?

[68RS350]

Miller has the Diversion 165 and 180 that is fairly priced.

[Jay Hilliard]

Originally Posted by 68RS350

Miller has the Diversion 165 and 180 that is fairly priced.

Yep, the 180 is the one I have been looking at.

[GregWeld]

I own a Miller 200 Dynasty DX.... It's an inverter style.

Jay -- spot on! No need for water cooling for a "hobby" welder... BUT I disagree on several other fronts. #1 being... once you go TIG you'll never go back. MIG is for trailer welding. Joking here - but seriously - if it has to be welded - my FIRST choice is the TIG machine. I now view the MIG as "Miss Crudeness".

So... having said that.... it's like most things we do. You buy it - and then wish you'd have pulsing - and all the other little features that make life so nice and make the finished product nicer. And like most things - you didn't know you needed these features until you start using 'em. It's like heated seats in a car - easy to poo poo them - until you've used 'em - and then you can't have a car without 'em. Before then - they were a "silly" option.

I now wish I'd have stepped up and bought a larger TIG - because I really can't weld 1/4" or larger ALUMINUM well with mine and I tend to make brackets and stuff for myself or my friends that sometimes needs beefier stock. No can do with only 200 amps on tap. I can remedy that with a spool on my MIG machine cheaper than another bigger TIG so I live with my "little" 200.

Just my .02 here. Typically the initial cost is the killer -- but you're going to have this baby a LONG TIME... and you will absolutely LOVE TIG.... so sell your spare tractor and your wife and tap the house equity....

Shop around too! Prices are all over the board. Ebay has guys with free shipping and I'd also check your local hawk shop - so many people and shops have gone 'under' that there are some screamin' deals and lightly used equipment around!

[Jay Hilliard]

Thanks for the input Greg! Its always welcomed. I will check with a couple of local welding stores and see if they have any nice used machines.

[coolwelder62]

Jay, If you are just starting out a lincoln tig 225 is an awesome machine.You will want the smaller 20p style torch not the style 17p that a miller 185 or lincoln 225 comes with.Also ask for gas defuser lense it will make welding alum. and steel easier.Also ask for a 020ft. long torch not a 12ft.Jay I am full of info even if you don't want it.Scott

[Jay Hilliard]

Thanks Scott. Why the smaller torch? Whats the benefit? Whats a gas diffuser lense?

[lhkustoms]

Jay you may also want to take a look at Thermal Arc. I have their 185 Inverter ac/dc tig and it is awesome. I use it almost everyday. I also have a miller maxstar 150 w/ the hifi start. It works great also but its dc only. Go by your local welding store and ask them if they have and demo machines they have for sale. You usually can get them for a lot less and they are barely used.