New User - Hobbyist - What should I get?

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Hi everyone!I am considering starting welding as a hobby. I used to have a 110 MIG that I really liked and it worked just fine on a race car project I had going. Sadly, that hobby is no longer in the cards. Unfortunately, I had to sell the welder also as we had no room to move it in a recent cross-country relocation.I'd like to get something I can practice my skills on for now, and don't really want to run 220 out to the garage since I am renting the house I live in for now. I do have a 220 dryer but it's nowhere near the garage. Would like to try aluminum once I master the whole 2-handed thing on mild steel. I was thinking about stepping up to a TIG and honing my skills. I know I will be very limited in material thickness with 110 power, but I really want to just practice and yet still have some decent doodads/controls you get (I think) in an inverter box.The Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC Welder someone else posted about seems right about what I am looking for, again, I THINK, but just wanted to get others' opinions.  I would be open to getting a higher quality used name-brand, but do they even have 110v options?Last edited by skychance; 08-06-2012 at 06:12 PM.
Reply:Offhand, I would suggest saving enough to buy a dual voltage machine. That way, you can use it on 110 now, and then later down the road, 220 when you get to a place where you have that ability.Miller makes one such machine, as do a couple others.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Definitely interested in dual voltage (The Eastwood one is dual also) - didn't realize the brand names had them also. Great - thanks!!!
Reply:I will add again.If you can swing a name brand do it.  This is me, part of this being when I buy my tools I keep them.  I will do everything I can to hold on to them until I absolutely have to sell them.  (they can make me more money then they do, and they constantly save me money)Now all that said, I do have an Eastwood 110 Mig and 110/220 Plasma cutter.  Only used 110 so far.  Have a 220, but wrong plug for the 220 and as of now plan on moving in a couple year so not worried about it as the 110 cuts what I need fine.If you read the other thread my plasma torch worked 2 times then quit.  Called said do the trouble shooting (already did, told them, tried again anyway)  Said put it out we will pick it up.  Now I have a new one, no cost to me.  Works fine.The mig I love.  So far atleast.  Has worked great since day one.  I do like that I can run a 10 pound spool too.  Saves me a little money, along with being able to run gas or flux core.  Usually gas, have a spool of flux if I can't refill the bottle.Now like the other post, Two different machines, but you sound like me.  An Eastwood should do you good.  Great customer service, not the greatest welder but not really the cheapest junk you can buy either.  (at least to me)  So for someone who does not use it everyday, go for it.  Good price.  Just know it can and probably will break eventually.See if you can do some side projects and save the money to get a "good" one.  Sell the Eastwood and keep doing what your doing.
Reply:Personally i wouldnt even consider a tig that wasnt 220V.  Thats just me.  I'd get a nice Miller 211MIG  (dual voltage) and be done with my welding search.  That's just me though.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Good luck welding aluminum with a 110V machine. You'll need it.
Reply:Here's a miller site with their small tig stick machine. We got a few at work and do work on110. You will be limited but great for ss tubing work.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00143If you want larger, this will work better but you need you buy the accessories.Maxstar 200http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M08950
Reply:Buy American. You won't regret it.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Best of luck with your journey.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Here's a miller site with their small tig stick machine. We got a few at work and do work on110. You will be limited but great for ss tubing work.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00143If you want larger, this will work better but you need you buy the accessories.Maxstar 200http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M08950
Reply:Are there any schools nearby where you can enroll in a training class?  They should have several different machines for the different processes that you could use and evaluate.- "If ya can't be handsome, ya may as well be handy!"   HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln SP125+Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38
Reply:I am not "too" concerned about power at this point since this is hobby only and I can simply choose thinner materials to work with.  I think I want AC for aluminum which is what I want to craft eventually (thin enough that 110 power can work on). A dual machine will allow me to step up somewhat, in a pinch, if I find a 220 socket to plug into (at a friends house, or maybe a extension cord coming out the laundry room window  )  However, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be "helping" anybody with anything with this whole TIG thing. Different story with MIG for sure, but this is strictly to try to create pretty things in my garage. Basically a grown up toy.I am a fan of technology if it makes the work easier. One feature I "think" I want is AC balance control. The Miller Diversion doesn't seem to have it, which is disappointing as they are readily available for $1700 on eBay. The Dynasty has that and a whole lot more gizmos I probably won't need, but who knows. But the Dynasty is way way way over budget and not readily available on CL or eBay - now that crazedlist is no longer working I'd have to set up an eBay search and wait and get lucky.I am really leaning toward the Eastwood. If I use it enough to really wear it out for good, it would be $850 well spent IMHO as a starter model, then I could either get another one or step up to something more quality.  I'm not and likely never will be a professional welder so it's hard to justify professional-grade gear on my budget.  I loved my Chinese 110 MIG, and still loving my Ryobi grinder. Laugh all you want but for a weekend warrior, sometimes the low end is the way to go, as long as it doesn't make life difficult while it still works.I could justify $1700 on the Diversion I guess, but for that price I could burn through 2 Eastwoods and get the AC balance control.  How important is this?  Who has used it and thought "wow, how did I ever weld aluminum without AC balance control?"I'd definitely like to hear from folks who have used AC balance control and their opinion on how useful it is with aluminum. Opinions on the advanced waveform and other gizmos on the Dynasty are welcome also.Thanks!Last edited by skychance; 08-07-2012 at 01:46 PM.
Reply:Oh and I have not found a good school other than the local community college, which doesn't seem to have a TIG option, just stick and MIG.  I likely will scour the area for some shops with someone who would take me under their wing here and there for some beers and laughs.
Reply:I stand corrected. the local community college offers a basic course using oxycetaline and sticks, then an advanced course using MIG, TIG, and flux core. $330 for each course - 40 hours over 6 weeks.  I guess if I could skip the blowtorch and sticks course it might be worth it on the MIG/TIG course. I'm sure my MIG skills could use some improvement even though TIG is my ultimate goal.
Reply:I've taken those CC courses (and repeated them) and they are great, at least in my neck of the woods. Best money you will every spend.Theoretically you can weld aluminum with oxy acet... I say theoretically because I spent the class time melting holes in aluminum coupons. Another option is the Thermal Arc 211i.  It's DC only so no aluminum tig, but it's spool gun ready so you can mig aluminum. That is what I'm eyeing for my home use.Finally, though I have never tried, pick up an old (large) transformer AC welder and buy an air cooled tig torch is another option.
Reply:I have read a lot of posts here suggesting these courses are great and to take them as a beginner.  Here is another positive vote - thank you.  After giving it some thought, I think maybe I will postpone any purchase until I take this course and decide for sure whether or not I really want to tackle TIG - especially since the next course starts in 3 weeks!!!!Great suggestions, though, very enlightening so far. I will continue to lurk around here and keep an eye out for deals.  Thanks everyone!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWDown side of those machines BD is that they are DC only. The Maxstars are great if you only want to do steel/stainless or need a portable stick machine.If he wants to do alum, he really needs to look at either a Diversion 180 or Dynasty 200. He still won't be able to do more than maybe 14-16 ga alum on 115v power at best. Personally I think the Diversion is underpowered and over priced and you give up too many options just to get a fairly limited output on 115v power. The price of the Dynasty reflects the fact it's probably the best 15n/230v AC/DC  tig out on the market.