New Fangled Welders

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Howdy,I'm old, and so was the Miller 350 Synchro I parted with when I moved 4 years ago.  So now I've acquired a hot rod even older than I am to play with and want to get a new welder.  I did mostly bench tig with the 350, much of it aluminum, with the occasional 'laying down with the foot pedal between my knees' steel repair on cars.I suspect I'll again be laying down under the new rod welding a shock bracket or what not but I still want to be able to do aluminum welding on the bench.  Been reading the forum and enjoying it but Christmas is coming so now I'm asking:  Are these new inverter based pulsed MIG thingies the hot poop for all around car type work as well as aluminum casting repair or thin gauge aluminum work?  Are the 1/3 of the price Chinese machines worth a look?  Thank You.
Reply:In a word, NO.  oh and Yes some of the Chinese made machines are definitely worth a look for the hobbyist.   For the pro I would say no just cuz you can't take it to the Local LWS and get it fixed in a hurry with most parts available within a couple days at most as would be the case with on of the major US brands...  I cannot specifically recommend a Chicom TIG machine as I have not used any yet but I won't trash them just because where they are made.  Exception is the stuff from various one off brands sold on ebay that you have no recourse on if it breaks.    The site sponsor machines are definite step up from that and seem to be continously improving...   Telling someone who want to TIG as a hobby that the need to go buy a $4000 Dynasty is just stupidity..  You can get a Longevity 200sx for example for well under $1k and do AC DC tig to 200 amps.    As far as pulse I don't see a need for it for general AL work.  maybe more so on Stainless.   if anything many will use those features as a crutch to learning to weld correctly.  as you already know how I would say save your cash and buy a more basic AC DC tig.  Thermal arc 186 looks good tooTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:What is your budget?ThermalArc252i. Has run in control feature for alum mig, and can tig steel.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:HTP Tig 221 is Italian made, and owners love the machine and the customer service.  Longevity makes some good equipment.
Reply:Hmmmmmm I think you could pick up a good used Miller Sync Wave for cheap, 220 single phase......you might have to run a dedicated circuit from your breaker panel but unless you spend big bucks your going to need a 100 amp circuit to run most tig machines (Pre- inverter )  that will weld 1/4 to 3/8 aluminum.....A couple of my Hot Rod buddies have made the Sync work with 50 amp breakers but can't gas it up without popping a breaker  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:You will be very frustrated trying to weld thin aluminum with MIG.No machine can give you everything you may need some day.  That's why you see different machines in everyone's signature.I have had zero problem with the Thermal Arc brand.  The TIGs have been Jap made and the pure stick machines Chinese made inverters.  I used my 161 yesterday to modify and repair a skid steer forklift rack for a buddy yesterday.  Fed it 10# of 1/8" 7018 over a 2 hour period without a hiccup or overheat.I'd suggest a MIG for body work use and a TIG/Stick for all else.  I think that will be your most economical option.  Used brand name transformer machines will be the best value if you have the space and input power.A TA186 Acrmaster and a 181i MIG will prolly do 99% of what you'll ever need.  You'll have 2 machines that stick weld to boot.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The secret with mig alum is making sure it has adjustable run-in control.Read up on it. It aint the end-all and be-all, but it works. Miller just introduced the MillerMatic350P-Aluminum. Slow run-in to get the arc started, pulse for sheet metal, and pushpull guns in different configueations.  Makes alum mig idiot simple.Of course the ThermalArc252i has run-in and can dc tig with pure helium.Made in USA too.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.