Newb equipment questions

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Yes, I did read the sticky and it was helpful, but I think I still need a shove in the right direction.I took a night class at the local commnuity college, it was O/A (on the instructor's advice) because I said I wanted it for home hobbyist use, almost exculively on motorcycles so he said it would be a good foundation to TIG.  I don't want to sidetrack this post, but the class left a LOT to be desired and I'm not keen on going back there for a TIG class.  I did get a lot of hands on time though, and feel like I can O/A weld acceptabley.  I now want to get my own machine.  I currently have a cheap off brand 110 MIG that is set up for shielding gas, I got it in a trade for some other stff from a buddy.  I hav never even used it, but I will soon.  Need to get a bottle.  I'm starting to save some cash to ge a machine that I hope to use for a good long time.  I'd reall like to get a ac/dc TIG, since I will at times do some AL welding.  I have no plans to ever weld anything thicker than 1/4" steel.  I just to motorcycel stuff, no heavy industrial type stuff.  I have a dedicated 230v circuit in my garage already setup so no need for one of the switchable 115/230 machines.  I do not need it to be portable.  I was all set to go for a Miller Diversion 180, but searching on here seems that are some mixed opinions.  Either way, I'm now starting to wonder if I should just upgrade to a better MIG like a Miller 211, and buy a TIG if/when my needs/skill ge to that level.  The motorcycle fabricators I talk to always give me some line like "MIG is for farm equipment and dump turcks, get a TIG and learn it"  (they are somewhat joking).I apologize if this was covered in another one of the newbie threads, but I feel like I still need a shove in one direction or another.Last edited by Wisco; 12-20-2010 at 01:56 PM.
Reply:Tig is by far the most difficult to learn process, but once mastered capable of nearly any material....  And when fabbing motorcycle parts you are asking for a lot of liability so you should be well practiced and insured before you offer your services to the public..  An investmnt in a newer IGBT or Mosfet type machine will get you plenty of power and a plethora of settings and adjustments to learn about and grow into.  The diversion series does not allow stick welding while others such as Lincoln and Thermal Arc do, so if stick welding was a consideration then the diversion rules that out.  There are a good many high end good quality welding power sources available for much less than new due to the economy and manufacturing status in the states, if you will wait around and look for them. Your investment will be lower and you will probably get a pretty modern and much more powerfull machine in the long run that way.  I would enroll again and speak to the instructor about your goals and see if he cant help you work that way,  while you continue to learn and look for a suitable machine.  Just my .02, FWIWBobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Thanks, appreciate the advice.  I don't plan on welding anything on a vehicle for anyone to make money, but I may help close friends out with small stuff that they may need.  I just want the skills for my own building and fabbing, I do quite a bit of it and I'm now at the point where I have an increasing need for welding ability.  I can't imagine when I would ever have a need for stick welding, but as you can see I'm a total beginner so I certainly could be missing something.