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Hello all, I am just looking for help from experienced people who can point me in the best direction for what I seek to accomplish. I simply want to "start to weld" and since I don't know much about it I figured I would ask people who do know (in addition to reading all the helpful info off of this site). I am interested in welding in an automotive setting, (which means a fair amount of aluminum as well as steel). So what's the best starting point? ARC,MIG or TIG? I am leaning more towards the ARC as I can plug it in and not need gas. Which brings me to another question......A/C or D/C? I plan on taking a class to learn more but I really just want to make sure I can familiarize myself with the machine(s) and the process.....as it can't hurt to practice. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Reply:Welcome, Tattoo.The best thing you could do is continue to read, read, and read some more on here. You need to understand the differences in capability, cost, experience required, and applications of Stick, MIG, gas, and TIG processes. You also need to seriously consider if aluminum is a requirement as that greatly limits the processes and calls for much more expensive equipment. Consider if you have adequate power for 220v or only 110v. There are multivoltage welders that you may want to consider based on that. What is your budget?If you just want to "start to weld", I would point you to a used name brand MIG, like Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln. You will need a gas bottle (larger is better). In addition, you will spend a sum of money on protective equipment like gloves and helmet, wire, tips, tools, clamps, saws, grinders, and material. I'm not trying to discourage you at all. I am a hobby welder and recognize how much I have invested in time and tools in addition to the welder. MIG will get you started and you can begin to learn to read the puddle, set up your equipment, build some simple projects like a cart for the welder and welding table. If you enjoy it and your budget permits, you can then branch into other processes.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Just to give you a hint of what I went through early on. Entry level welding was Oxy/Acet for 16 weeks as a prerequisite to arc for 32 weeks, which was a prerequisite to tig/mig for the last 16 weeks.My work is more aerospace oriented. I do 85% tig, 15% mig, and 5% gas.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Welcome aboard. might I ask these questions, whats your budget and what power source do you have?
Reply:"...read, read, and read some more..."Budget and power source, yes indeed. I'm not a welder, but my son is and he took all kinds of community college courses.  Started with Oxygen-acetylene and did well.  He likes O/A, stick and TIG. I did my reading and our first purchase was a new Lincoln SP-175 Plus MIG, nice little unit.  Glad we went with a 240 Volt unit.  Then we accumulated used welders (for the most part).  Ancient Dialarc 250, then an old Syncrowave 250 and some O/A torches.  The old Idealarc 250 was a must-have and the Thermal Arc 161STL inverter is really handy.  Probably have $4,000. invested in welders and still renting a few gas cylinders.  But that covers (light) MIG, AC/DC TIG, stick up the wazoo, O/A and even spot welding. I'd be tempted to start with a nice MIG unit unless you can find an old buzz-box AC stick welder for $50. to get started playing. (I need to fire up my $50. 1952 AC180C Lincoln and see if it still works.)"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder