Complete newbie hobbyist welder purchase question

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I am a long time NON-PROFESSIONAL woodworker, making both indoor and outdoor furniture, pens and assorted crafts which I sell to support my fishing and jeeping habits. Recently took a hobbyist welding class and am considering purchasing my first welding machine which brings me here to this forum to seek out the opinion of you professionals.I am looking for an AFFORDABLE, garage size, all around hobby welder that will weld stainless, aluminum, steel, cast iron, etc. May want to build a jeep bumper, some yard art, work on the aluminum rails on my boat, build an aluminum hitch mount cooler/rod holder for the jeep, etc. Nothing industrial, just crafts and personal projects.AFFORDABLE and versatile being the key.Suggestions please..............................
Reply:Personally I don’t see how welding aluminum, and affordable can be put into the same sentence. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Versatility is not cheap. The disire to weld aluminum is going to throw a few extra $$ into cost. You'll NEED a second gas bottle for pure Argo where you would normally just run 25/75. You can run an spare liner and wire spool the mwhen you need to. You can also buy a spool gun and use that for the alum. If you want to run a tig setup then you'll need an AC machine to get good alum welds, thatthrow a wrench the other way, no you need extra stuff just to wire weld basic steels.esab 260 multimasternew tech 150 invertorlincoln 140 cheapo
Reply:I am open to all suggestions on the right set up but would like to see how close to $500 I could stay if possible.
Reply:Is this another one of those "poke the hive" threads? 500?
Reply:Besides SMAW of aluminum, this is the cheapest way I know to weld aluminum. $319.00 for Everlast PowerArc 200.$100.00 for Tig rig.$30.00 for flow meter.$???.?? forgot what I paid for a bottle of helium. But here are the results. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPPersonally I don’t see how welding aluminum, and affordable can be put into the same sentence.
Reply:Welding is an expensive hobby. $500 is not going to get you started, maybe for one of the process you stated if you can find a very good deal on a used machine but you have to factor in the gas, the consumables and not to mention the metal. I already spent close to $2500 on equipment to start up a hobby shop and haven't even bought metal, extra consumable, tig kit, a spool gun to do aluminum or the gas.Lincoln 210 MPVictor Cutmaster 42
Reply:See.........you guys are already giving me answers. I am completely new to this so everything you are giving me is appreciated. So dropping the aluminum................now what are the suggestions for a hobbyist setup?
Reply:About the only way steel AND alum is gonna happen is a used 140 mig machine with a spare liner and 2 tanks.Droping the alum means you can get a 180a machine and later setup alum as $ allows . you can also find bigger 150/185 millermatics and keep your $500 budgetLast edited by jr tig; 04-22-2015 at 11:39 AM.esab 260 multimasternew tech 150 invertorlincoln 140 cheapo
Reply:Found a Miller-matic 140 with a helment on local craigslist for $600.http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4970948515.html
Reply:Originally Posted by Jamiecrabnow what are the suggestions for a hobbyist setup?
Reply:You should really look for a 240v machine unless you only have 120v available. Miller 212 WITH bottle $700.00 ***  Shielding gas bottles adds $ to all your purchases http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4986426780.htmlLincoln 180HD $500 240v machinehttp://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4950385868.htmlIf you are set on 120vHobart Handler 140 $350.00http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4908518978.htmlEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:The Miller 212 Ed posted above looks like a good candidate for your needs. You can add a spoolgun to it later for aluminum, when you save up the $$ for it. It has a full bottle with it, too.
Reply:Agree. That MM212 is a steal at that price. A new MM211 will run you close to $1000 and other than the advantage of being dual voltage, the MM 212 beats it in every way..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:That 212 should be in the shop by now ! If not, MILLER REBATES are in progress, http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/b...content=online