need opinions on tig welders

[Porno Joe]

looking to get a tig welder, and I've narrowed it down to two:

Hobart Ez tig 165
or
Miller Diversion 180

They are both rated for up to 3/16". The biggest difference I see if the Miller can switch between 115/230 volts. If I mainly plan to use the machine for Aluminum, can I even weld aluminum on 115 volts?

This wont be used in a shop, just in my garage. I've had a Hobart mig welder for 15 years I think and Its been a good machine.

The miller would end up costing me about 450-500 more for just the machine. I'm just wondering if its worth the extra money, or if the Hobart is good enough

 

[RickDLance]

We had a Diversion on our tack up bench and it failed 4 times in the 1st two years. Now we have nothing but Dynasties. Out of 4 of them we have had 1 failure in the last 4 years.

 

[LWATSON]

To answer your question about welding aluminum, you'll won't to do it on 220 and I personally prefer miller.

 

[SilveradoTwins02]

Yes I bought a dynasty and it was back with in the first 6 months. Dealer repaired it and has been trouble free ever since. It was a bad board...

 

[duramaxzak]

I have a Lincoln Squarewave 175, and it had been trouble free for the 14 years I've owned it. Just another option for you. I believe Miller actually owns Hobart.

 

[Porno Joe]

If 220 is a must for aluminum, I'll prolly just got with the Hobart. save myself couple hundo

 

[Ne-max]

I got the multimatic 200 and love it . does not tig aluminum though.

 

[WolfLMM]

Miller syncrowave 230 3 phase power.

 

[joegorby]

Miller dynasty!

 

[Porno Joe]

Miller syncrowave 230 3 phase power.

isn't that a $3k plus machine?

my two choices are between a $1400 machine and a $1900 machine so that's out of the question.

 

[Porno Joe]

Miller dynasty!

again, out of my price range. I don't need to spend that kinda dough for something that will spend 90% of its life sitting in the corner of my shop

 

[WolfLMM]

I don't remember, we use it 12hrs a day 5 days a week. Never had any problems other than the pedal getting contamination and a few coolant pumps. That's just cause the environment it in.

 

[RickDLance]

The Sycrowave is also an electricity hog. The new inverter style welders are easir on the electricity.

 

[WolfLMM]

Haha^ our electric bill is usually 24,000 a month. Wouldn't notice a difference with either welder.

 

[Porno Joe]

ok bumping this back up.

I ended up picking up the hobart ez tig.

Now my question is what other supplies do i need to get?

Ive got the tank of argon already. So from reading looks like I need some Tungsten and some filler rod?

I know if I want to weld aluminum and steel, i need a filler rod for each, but what about tungsten, is there sort of one "universal" tungsten that covers everything?

 

[TheBac]

Miller syncrowave 230 3 phase power.

Man, that is pretty. :thumb: You welders make me very envious. Thats a skill I wish I had.

 

[SilveradoTwins02]

ok bumping this back up.

I ended up picking up the hobart ez tig.

Now my question is what other supplies do i need to get?

Ive got the tank of argon already. So from reading looks like I need some Tungsten and some filler rod?

I know if I want to weld aluminum and steel, i need a filler rod for each, but what about tungsten, is there sort of one "universal" tungsten that covers everything?

The older rectifier machines use red for metallic metals and green for aluminum
Now days I have used red on low amp aluminum but when u crank it up it tends to break off. Green PURE tungsten is a thing of the past.
The inverter based welders use different tungsten. Orange / grey / blue
all depends on what you prefer.

Go to welding tips and tricks .com web site
Jody gives u a pretty good overall reviews on machines tungsten and techniques.

 

[TheBac]

Wanted to bring back an old thread to ask opinions on this machine, simply for hobby/personal use. All the reviews Ive read seem positive.

Yes, you get what you pay for, but when you're on a budget, you do what you have to, right?

http://www.eastwood.com/tig200acdc.html

 

[six5creed]

Wanted to bring back an old thread to ask opinions on this machine, simply for hobby/personal use. All the reviews Ive read seem positive.

Yes, you get what you pay for, but when you're on a budget, you do what you have to, right?

http://www.eastwood.com/tig200acdc.html

Looks pretty good for the price, if you can hook it up on 220V it will weld a lot better than on 110V. I think as long as your not trying to make a living with it that it will suit your needs just fine.


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[Vmyrhaug]

I have a kempi mls 2300 tig. Just love it. Hadde it in 7 years now. Never had any issue with it 1 phase 230v and never any problem with enough power. 6mm alu no problem.