This forum seems to have a reasonable perspective on what you get for a hobbyst TIG, so I thought I'd ask these questions here.

I've got a ton of aluminum projects I'd like to do, and I've wanted to learn to TIG for a while, so I've been thinking of picking up a starter TIG welder (never TIG'd before, but do fine with MIG). The biggest stuff I can see myself doing is a chop/weld of an aluminum intake manifold. So most stuff will be 1/8" aluminum and less, with some ~1/8" thick SS. The alternative is a Diversion 165/Hobart EZ-Tig 165.

So Micro 185 questions:

1. Is the foot pedal using the full 185 A range a huge problem for doing thinner stuff like 0.049-0.063 Al tubing?

2. Foot pedal or thumb control best for Al work? Most people seem to prefer a foot pedal.

3. Thoughts on moving up to an Everlast 200DX for what looks like $150-200 more? I doubt I'll need 200A, but it offers panel max available at the foot pedal.




A Diversion 180 is really out of my price range, as it'll likely end up in the $2k range by the time I get a bottle and consumables. I'd really like to keep this in the $1200 range all setup, but if the Diversion 165/EZ-Tig 165 is worth it over the Micro 185 I could stretch that budget a bit.

 

Anybody?

 

I have one. Works great.

Search... Many ppl do

 

I have searched, and I haven't seen this really addressed other than it's a potential negative.

Do you have the Everlast pedal, and have no problems with thin aluminum/stainless?

 

Sry... Didnt mean to come off as a dick....

Its great. Pedal, yes. Super thin I set the amps and finger button it.