[2003_ram]

Been looking at Tig welders, want something to help me do the work I want to do on my jeep. I will be doing everything from roll cages, to aluminum. Definitely no more than 1/4" steel I will be welding. Spring pads and what not will be thickest work.

I was looking at Lincoln and Miller. Here are the two that came up in my searches (between $1k-$1.5k)
Lincoln square Wave TIG 175
Miller Diversion 165

Would love soem expertise, and what I should be looking to pay. Was looking at a Lincoln 175 for $1500 with all parts and a rolling tray..... deal? No? Would like input, big purchase.

Thanks guys.

 

[Todd W]

I love my Lincoln Precision Tig 225

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=K2535-2

Looks like they are 2300 now I paid around 1800 4 or so years ago :shaking: talk about a price jump, damn!

If you plan to weld for any amount of time def. get a water cooled torch, I don't have one yet and sure wish I did!

I like Lincolns myself but I`m sure blue would be just as good

 

[JohnC]

A lot of guys are liking the new Diversion 185s, but they're a bit more cash.

Don't be afraid to look at low mileage used units. I bought my Miller Syncrowave 200 on craigslist for $1100 and it looked & worked brand new. Less than a year old. I see deals like that on craigslist all the time.

 

[r08ert209cali]

1/4" puts my Diversion past its limits.It's an ok machine but really wish I had something much bigger and a water cooled torch. I swapped my torch out with a plain 17 size and ditched the funky fingertip control and stiff ass hose cover.

Also added a foot control which helped a lot now all I need is another 50 amps or so.

 

[Ian from Xtreme]

It is going to be more money to get one with Pulse......but once you weld with it you will never weld without it. I am pretty sure the 175 does not have pulse, but the 225 does.

 

[seanmurphy265]

Your going to need at least 200amps for 1/4" aluminum. Welding tips and tricks did a review on the diversion, and also has a video for adding helium to your gas mixture; this will help you when running thicker aluminum.

 

[unixadm]

Take a hard look at the Invertig 220 or the Thermal Arc 200 Amp units. Good value for the money. Any of the Miller Dynasty welders are nice (I have a 300DX Tig Runner and the 280 is coming out soon). If I had to buy a ~200 amp TIG today it would be the Invertig 220. Don't go cheap on a TIG welder - if you actually use it for different projects you'll soon regret not having some of the more advanced features and/or amperage to do single pass welding.