Aluminum welding for beginner????

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If someone could help me out and tell me a decent unit to get me started doing some aluminum. I was thinking a used tig but not sure what kind to get. lookin to spend around $1000.00 if possible.  Thanks
Reply:I'd hit up your local craigslist, you should be able to find a tig machine for around a grand. as alway's any machine you consider look up review's and retail price's online, you might have to talk a guy down, you know money talk's
Reply:You probably know you need an AC/DC TIG for aluminium.
Reply:Try looking for a used Miller Synchrowave 180 or 200.  In the last year or so, I sold a 180 for $1150, and bought a 200 for $1300, felt that I had done well on both deals.  The 180 is nice in that it is simple to use, one knob and three switches.  The 200 has lots of bells and whistles.  The Synchrowave 250 is a bigger machine, really a different class of machine, and probably worth in the neighborhood of $1700 or more.   Good machines, all of them.  The Econo-TIG is not as good, a factory rep told me.  These machines weigh 200 pounds of more, so not really portable.  The Dynasty machines are nice, lightweight, but out of your price range.Lincoln has similar machines, but I am not as knowledgeable about them.Note that essentially all TIG welders are decent stick welders, as both processes use constant voltage.  I use stick for thick steel, TIG for thin, for the most part.  My metalurgist says that if you have around 200 amps available, stick is preferred for thick metal, vs. MIG or TIG.  Of course, if you have a 300 amp MIG welder, you can weld pretty thick steel, but many of us are limited to the 200 amp range at home.As the man said, you need AC for aluminum TIG, DC for other metals.  The Synchrowaves are AC and DC, just flip a switch.My two cents.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Do you have any previous welding experience?If the answer is no, then learning TIG with aluminum is not the wisest starting point. Please don't take this wrong.  My advice is based purely on an assumption relating to your question and number of posts.
Reply:Conquest, there is some pretty solid advice here.  I will also add the Econotig for a starter machine, and thin aluminum. ( 1/8-3/16") A good way to start out with this is to take a class at a community college. Cheap, usually some good instruction, and access to better machines than you want to spend money on at first.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.