Powerful, Affordable TIG Welder for DIYers

APPLETON, Wis., May 5, 2010—Continuing to adapt to the needs of personal users in the TIG welding market, Miller Electric Mfg. Co. introduces the Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIG welder. The Diversion 180 delivers several operator conveniences such as input power selection; a digital interface and included foot pedal remote control. This upgraded model takes its place next to the popular Diversion 165 as an easy-to-use, affordable TIG welder for metalworking enthusiasts in automotive repair, motorsports, DIY and hobby markets. The Diversion 180 has an MSRP of $2,150.

Featuring Miller’s patented Multi Voltage Plug (MVP™), the Diversion 180 connects to 115V or 230V input power with a quick and simple change of the plug without tools, allowing the machine to operate just about anywhere. Only Miller offers the convenience of MVP plugs, look for this feature on select MIG and TIG welders.

Retaining the simple setup of the previous model that uses just two controlsone for selecting the metal type and one for heat inputthe Diversion 180 features a new digital interface that allows for more accurate adjustments to the welding amperage and allows easy troubleshooting as it can communicate error codes. In addition to this simplicity, the machine’s stable arc and positive arc starts make it easier for beginners to achieve good results.

The Diversion 180 now includes a remote foot pedal control, highly favored by bench-top TIG welders. This feature, in addition to the built-in fingertip control of the Weldcraft® LS17 TIG torch, allows users to choose their preference for controlling the welding power. Users can also customize their torch head, optimizing it for their welding application, by selecting between a flex-head, number 9-Series flex or standard head, or a pencil torch configuration.

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Weighing in at just 50 lbs. (90 lbs. less than other units), the Diversion 180 only needs a 25-amp circuit breaker on 1-phase power to produce its full welding output of 180 amps (on 230V), 150 amps at 20 percent duty cycle. The unit can weld material as thin as .030-in. and as thick as 3/16-in. in a single pass with its 10- to 180-amp output.

Every Diversion 165 and 180 box includes a 68-page TIG Welding for Dummies book and a DVD on how to set up, operate and weld with the unit, along with some basic TIG welding tips.

“People shopping the retail market now have a simple three-step machine for TIG. It all comes down to working on technique vs. setup. That’s exactly why Miller designed the Diversion 180 with a digital interface, it really gives users more finite control over their weld settings allowing more focus to be placed on the act of welding.”

—John Swartz, product manager, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

“The Diversion series of TIG welders removes the three barriers—price, product complexity and perceived process difficulty—that typically prevented DIY motorsports enthusiasts from learning to TIG weld. With practice, these welders enable anyone with decent hand-eye coordination to create TIG welds suitable for most hobby-level motorsports applications.”

—John Swartz, product manager, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

When developing the Diversion series of TIG welders, Miller engineers borrowed from the proven technology used in the company’s industrial, inverter-based TIG products. As a result, both the Diversion 165 and 180 start with a positive, crisp snap time-and-time again. There’s no “arc stumbling” or “arc wander,” which can be a problem with some other TIG welders.

In addition, the Diversion models produce a focused arc cone, which provides better weld puddle control and greater directional control over heat input. Users can direct the arc precisely where they want it and keep the heat off areas they don’t want to weld. Finally, the Diversion welders have a great low-end TIG arc in both the AC and DC welding modes, making it suitable for welding thin material and on delicate work. Combined, these capabilities enable users to begin producing quality welds in a shorter time.

While the Diversion 165 and Diversion 180 offer the arc starting and arc stability characteristics of Miller’s industrial TIG welders, Miller designed this series of machines strictly for personal users. The feature set of the series, output and duty cycle are not recommended for professional or industrial fabrication. For these applications, Miller recommends its Dynasty, Maxstar® or Syncrowave series TIG welders.

TIG welders offer the flexibility to weld almost any metal, including steel, stainless, chrome-moly and aluminum found on cars, boats, trailers and aircraft and the copper, bronze and brass seen in metal art and other applications. The only metal not typically suitable for TIG welding is cast iron.

The TIG process produces visually appealing weld beads with the classic “stacked dimes” look, and it can create high-quality structural welds suitable for ultra-critical applications, including motorsports and aerospace. The TIG process precisely controls heat input, allowing users to watch the weld puddle and make adjustments while welding. Users can weld on wafer-thin materials and weld with minimal distortion on surrounding metal.

Unlike MIG, Stick or flux cored welding, the TIG process does not produce sparks, spatter, smoke and slag.

Miller Electric Mfg. Co., headquartered in Appleton, Wis., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding equipment and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW).

For more information, visit Miller’s Web site at www.MillerWelds.com, call 1-800-4-A-Miller (800-426-4553), e-mail info@millerwelds.com, fax 877-327-8132, or write to Miller Electric Mfg. Co., P.O. Box 100, Lithonia, GA 30058.