Which style of welder

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To follow up my other thread I hope you can help me out. I am trying to decide whether it is best for me to learn oxy/acetylene or Mig. I have a torch kit that I picked up on a whim (no tanks). As I have been looking and reading, I don't know if that is what I need. I have been also looking at small welders like the Lincoln 100HD and its competitors. Mostly what I will be doing is small repairs around home, modifications to my utility trailer and stuff like that. Maybe a cargo rack for my Jeep. Ultimately I will build myself a utility trailer so I will need to weld 1/4" etc etc. I do sometimes collect scrap metal and would like to cut it up so that is what the torch could be used for but I don't really need it as I don't do that very often. In short, because I can only afford to pursue one or the other right now, what would you recommend? I might be willing to trade that torch kit for a used 110V welder too. Sorry for the long wind Daniel 5:23
Reply:Learning to weld with oxy-acetalyne will be more difficult but worth more in the end cause you really get to know the puddle and how to manipulate it and if you ever want to learn TIG in the future, knowing oxy-fuel first is a big help.   That said, a MIG machine is probly going to be alot more useful and user friendly for what you intend to do with it and it won't take long for you to become good at it.  If it were me in your shoes, I would hang onto the torch, learn how to use it and save up some money for a mig too and learn both.   The mig is the obvious choice for welding, but you can cut, heat and bend alotta different things with the torch.  Gas torch is a very valuable tool to have around.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:The mig would have more use in the future. I like to O/A weld, however, I rarely find opportunities or time.  If O/A is what you have the that is what you can use.  However, Mig or stick would been more beneficial.  You can probably find a Mig for the price of two large O/A tanks.  Also, if you use flux core then you can weld with out a gas tank.As far a learning O/A or scratch TIG would be best.  As far as expense and getting stuff welded then a  MIG "wire feeder" would be best.These days small scratch start tig machines are availble for fairly cheap price.  I would start with tig before O/A.Last edited by tapwelder; 01-19-2008 at 04:00 PM.