Stick welding with TIG unit??

[xs hedspace]

Seems to me I could use arc welding rod in the TIG torch, if I want to do some stick welding, with no Argon. Is this a viable idea? I have a Miller Diversion 165.

[rode2rouen]

Seems to me I could use arc welding rod in the TIG torch, if I want to do some stick welding, with no Argon. Is this a viable idea? I have a Miller Diversion 165.

NO, it is NOT a viable idea.



Rex

[ironnut]

You can TIG weld using a DC stick welder as the power supply. I have an air cooled TIG torch and have done it numerous times using a Miller AC/DC buzz box. Not being able to easily control the current makes the TIG operation a bit tricky with this set up. For the reverse you would need to replace the TIG torch with an stick electrode holder.

I have been looking at possibly buying a TIG unit so I have been looking at specifications for a number of makes and models. Quite often different models of TIG welders are also sold as stick welders. I do not know if the Miller Diversion 165 has that capability. The power supply for a TIG welder is a constant current source device which is the same type of supply used for a stick welder. MIG uses a constant voltage supply so attempting to TIG or stick weld with a constant voltage supply probably would not work to any degree of satisfaction.

The Diversion 165 has a number of modifications and enhancements to the basic constant current supply that apparently improve the TIG welding experience. Stick welding may or may not be improved by these enhancements. I would look at the manufactures specifications for your Miller machine to see if stick welding is supported. Perhaps a call or email to the supplier would answer that question.

[macona]

Technically, you could do it but I wouldn't. The electrode holders are intended to have gas passing over them wile running to cool that and the cable inside the hose. So you would end up using a lot of gas. If you had a known clean and oil free supply of air you could probably run that in place of the argon to cool it.

[Boostinjdm]

No, you fooked yourself in the stick welding department when you bought the Diversion instead of a syncrowave. The diversion is a TIG only machine.

[J Tiers]

Dual use units DO exist.....

The Lincoln 175 at work can be set for either, all you do is plug in a stick setup and go, flipping the switch to "stick". AC, DC all the same options are available, just no gas, no HF arc starter.

We just did it a day or two back.

[RWO]

My Miller Maxstar 151 is TIG or stick. Just flip a switch. But it is DC only.

RWO

[Highpower]

Unplug TIG torch cable - plug in stinger cable - push mode button - start burning rods.

[lazlo]

Unplug TIG torch cable - plug in stinger cable - push mode button - start burning rods.

+1. Most modern (last 15 years) TIG machines come with a stinger for stick welding. I use mine a lot on my Thermal Arc Pro Wave -- pretty amazing stick welding on a little attache-sized inverter unit

[Kiwi]

Nice Machine! Ring email millers help line for that particular machine I use an older Miller CY50 HF start & run AC, DC+,DC- It can run a spoolmatic MIG gun if I lock off the AC side a dam good all round machine.