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Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:03 am
by Mojo
Can a Miller Dialarc® 250 AC/DC be used for TIG welding? If so, what would I have to purchase to facilitate this? Would I be able to weld aluminum too?
Thank you.
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:15 am
by Oscar
Do you already have it? If not, look at a newer Inverter TIG welder. For the most part, you just add a bottle of argon, a 220V plug, standard consumables, and you're ready to rock.
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:21 am
by Mojo
No, I don't already have it but I can get a great deal on it. But my concern is that the great deal won't be great for long if I have to sink a ton of cash into it to be able to use it for TIG.
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:24 am
by AFSATCOM
Yes you can tig with a dialarc. It can be run as a scratch start setup at a minimum. If you have a dialarc hf you are good to go for alu. If it's a normal one then you will need a high freq box like the hf-251.
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:41 pm
by Mojo
So, would a Dialarc with a HF box be as capable for TIG as a Syncrowave??
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:07 pm
by MinnesotaDave
Mojo wrote:So, would a Dialarc with a HF box be as capable for TIG as a Syncrowave??
No it would not due to not having a foot control nor adjustable balance.
I learned tig with a stick welder and high freq box, it's no comparison to one with a foot control.
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:32 pm
by Mojo
Thanks for the info. I was trying to convince myself that this was the way to go when clearly it isn't. Thanks again.
Re: Can this be used to TIG weld??
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:54 pm
by Braehill
Mojo,
I've owned a Dialarc HF since the early 80's and it's bullet proof. You'll likely quit welding before it quits working. That said, would I replace it in kind should it fail? Not likely. Power brokers would love every household to own one. It uses electricity like it was free, it requires a 90 amp circuit to run it up to it's potential, about 310 amps. It weighs in at a whopping 500lbs. and is harder to move than a freight train. It require an antiquated foot pedal or a rare interface to use modern pedals, as in 20+ years to find one at any price.
Look for something newer in the inverter base welding machine even if you have to go with an import to meet your budget. Try to find an Invertec or Dynasty if you can, but some of the more popular imports will do a fine job, with way more adjustments than I know how to master. All this in a welder that you can set on the passenger seat of your Mazda Miata and drive home. The only one who will be disappointed will be the power guy.
Len