115v welder choice...help?

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Almost everyone here seems to have a lot more experience than me, so I wanted to ask a question about which MIG welder to buy.  The first thing to note is that I live in a rented town-home so picking up anything with 220v is just not going to work.  The three I am currently trying to decide between are as follows:Lincoln Weld-Pak 3200 HDHobart Handler 140Millermatic 135so I guess the question I am trying to ask is which one of these do you folk think is best, or is there another welder entirely that you would recommend.  Mostly, I will be using this for hobby welding, some automotive work including a little bit of stainless, and a very little bit of aluminum.  Well, I look forward to hearing your opinions and hopefully being able to make an informed decision soon.Thanks in advance,Wintermute
Reply:Lincoln.Are you on rockclimbing.com?  The username looks familliar...Owner of Welding Wiki,The free wiki based resource for weldor's around the world.http://www.weldingwiki.comWe have cookies!
Reply:nope, not on rockclimbing.com...although I do climb   There is a Wintermute there, probably someone else who reads William Gibson and enjoys his stories as much as I do. Originally Posted by ctardiLincoln.Are you on rockclimbing.com?  The username looks familliar...
Reply:Ah yes, how about speedtv insider...another wintermute there?Owner of Welding Wiki,The free wiki based resource for weldor's around the world.http://www.weldingwiki.comWe have cookies!
Reply:looks like it...but again, not me
Reply:First thing to check out is whether you can get a spoolgun for any of those models to weld aluminum.  That might be a problem.  I haven't checked out the 120V welders, but I'm not sure how many of them are adaptable to a aluminum spoolgun.
Reply:I'll vote for the Lincoln (because I own 3, Weld-Pak 155, Pro-Mig 175 & 225 AC Stick Welder), with the Miller as 2nd choice.   I've nothing against Hobart, just I hear that the retailer in this area (Tractor Supply Co.) that carries them tends to jerk folks around over warranty and parts for other stuff.  As far as 110v vs 220v.   Before I ran 100 amp service to my work shop, I did my welding in my garage using an extension cord that plugged in the dryer outlet.    I had to swap out the existing 20 amp breaker for a 30 amp.    IMO, you'll get better performance from a 220v machine.Regarding aluminum, I can weld aluminum with the 155 and without a spool gun.  I have no doubt that a spool gun would make things much easier, but as long as I keep the cable as straight as possible, the wire feeds ok.   BTW, I use 4043 wire for aluminum.   I've been told that 5356 wire is more rigid and feeds better, but will wear through teflon cable liner.There are no small projects
Reply:sweet, thanks for the responses.  Looks like I'll be going with the Lincoln 3200HD.  Of course, I would love to have the 220...but in a town-home, I would have to run an extension cord all the way up to the third floor for the washer/dryer outlet...and I'm pretty sure my wife wouldn't like that at all.  As soon as I get a house though, I'm pretty sure I'll be asking these same questions about a 220v MIG and an ARC welder