Topic: Home welder discussion

[Asstuna]

In the next couple of years it's looking like I might need to do a little bit of aluminum welding here and there. I made a half arsed attempt to google some stuff and found lots of good how-to's but not so much advice on home rigs.

How to:
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/TIG-gtaw-aluminum-tips-beginner/
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig-welding-aluminum.html

Welders on the market:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-AMP-DC-2-IN-1-PULSE-INVERTER-TIG-WELDER-STAINLESS-ALUMINUM-COPPER-/281496079963 (no mention of a foot controller)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MILLER-Diversion-165-AC-DC-TIG-Welder-907626-/331073887670?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item4d158a9db6 (comes highly recommended)
Great little cart:


Notice how I only posted TIG videos and welders? I understand MIG wire feeders can be cheaper and you may also get conversion kits between steel and aluminum, but I'm looking for a little precision and I'm not welding long runs. I suppose if I'm going to get a welder I should consider getting something a little versatile. But then, that's the whole point of this discussion thread. I know we have a hell of a lot of experience in WSC and I'm looking to read what you have to say.

My needs:
- mostly aluminum with possibly some steel, but highly unlikely as I can take it to a pro welder for the rare times I need it
- small garage means a small unit which can be stashed easily
- mostly light gauge sheet/extrusion material, looks a little like this:


My garage looks a little like this when I'm working, hence the need to be able to stash it away:

[codester-]

I don't have a lot of experience in this but a friend of mine has had two miller tig welders, the most recent retailed over 5 grand and he got rid of it to buy a tig made by HTP. It's called an invertig 221. So far he loves it. Maybe it's his "butt dyno" but he says it's better than both his previous millers

Here is a smaller more light duty unit made by HTP
http://www.usaweld.com/Invertig-131-DC-HF-TIG-Welder-p/70131dchf.htm

I've been considering this one myself to learn on and use for the little things I'd need to do. Except it's max thickness of metal is 3/16 so it's not the most versatile

[RedndWhite]

http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-eastwood-tig-ac-dc-welder.html

Suggestion?

[Asstuna]

http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-eastwood-tig-ac-dc-welder.html

Suggestion?

Good god. Throw in a plasma cuttter (and a cart) and it's around 1250 after tax and shipping:
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tig-plasma-cart-kit.html