[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by ducatithunder

I usually include hobart with the red and blue machines. There are some nice cheap machines but i wouldnt expect to be able to get parts for them in 10years. Pros and cons for both.

Hobart is Miller's econono line. Good machines good support.

[ducatithunder]

Originally Posted by AznDrgn

I've got a Dynasty 200DX as well. I bought it to weld up a new exhaust manifold and down pipe on my Callaway 944 but shortly after I received it life went crazy and I started moving around a lot and got busy with new jobs etc. I have yet to use it, that was 6 years ago.

Ouch. That sucks. I know the feeling. Sounds like a dorki demo night. Lol

[N0tt0N]

I'd love to see a demo night. I have only used the Lincoln and would also like to see some pros in action!

[Trak Ratt]

Maybe the PCAP Tech Chairs can work a MIG/TIG demo into one of larger shops tech events?

[BlackTalon]

I suspect it is more like "maybe someone interested in this can approach the Tech Chairs and volunteer to try and set up a demo session at one of the tech sessions"

[reds]

The Diversion 180 is AC/DC
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00337

[ducatithunder]

Originally Posted by reds

The Diversion 180 is AC/DC
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00337

News to me. I could have sworn the old diversions were dc only but were inveter units vs the econotig xfmer style. You didnt get the ac until you bought the dynasty model or sychrowave and econotig. So much has changed over the years. I just cant keep up anymore.

[ausgeflippt951]

Originally Posted by cmartin

Is TIG something you can pick up once every once in a while and be proficient?

This is a good thought as well. To a certain degree, it is like riding a bike. But I've always had to reacquaint myself each time I take it up again.


Not sure I understand the logic behind buying a $2000-4000 machine that doesn't even see yearly use. With that frequency, why not just make sure you stay friends with VG and SMD?

Monthly retainer fees of a bottle of scotch will be cheaper in the long run.

[Vicegrip]

Vodka

[smdubovsky]

Opps. My buddy has a maxstar STH, not a diversion. His is dc only. Went back and edited my orig post.

The dc/ac diversion looks interesting. Its looks to be nearly devoid of controls though. Not sure I'd want an AC capable inverter machine that they don't let you set frequency on. Almost like they neutered it for marketing reasons...

Also interesting to note the diversion minimum current is 10A. A dynasty is 1A. I think my old econotig was 15A?. 1A is crazy low unless you are welding aluminum foil together. I also know that the 15A of the econotig was WAY too high to do sheetmetal. I couldn't reliably add turbo flares to the 911 with it - used the mig in bursts instead. The dynasty turned way down can do crazy thin stuff w/o a problem. One of the drawbacks of a single-digit amp arc is your helmet. Cheapo units no longer can detect the arc. You'll need a high end 'inverter rated' helmet that can pick up the gnat's ass arc emission. I have a miller digital elite that is the bomb. So I guess you have to budget buying a more expensive helmet eventually if you buy a nicer welder.