I know very little about welding, but I'd like to teach myself how so I can weld stainless steel and aluminum someday. From what I've read, an AC/DC Tig welder is probably the way to go but I know they can get pricey. I'd rather spend a little more now and get something that will last and will work on a wider variety of materials.

I know Miller and Lincoln and the brands of choice for most people but they are out of my price range. I did find this though: http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-eastwood-tig-ac-dc-welder.html

It seems to get good reviews and is well priced at $860. This is a little more than I wanted to spend, but it seems to be worth it. Does anyone here have any experience with this welder or have any suggestions for similarly (ideally less) expensive options?

My garage is already wired for 220V so that would be my preference as well.

EDIT: I also found this WSE200 Welder on ebay for $650 shipped but I have no idea if it's any good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/WSE200-AC-DC-TIG-PULSE-WELDER-INVERTER-POWER-MOSFT-WITH-FOOT-SWITCH-PEDAL-/320951188875?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item4aba2e7d8b#ht_4931wt_1029

Originally posted by Sorry_i_Win
I know very little about welding, but I'd like to teach myself how so I can weld stainless steel and aluminum someday. From what I've read, an AC/DC Tig welder is probably the way to go but I know they can get pricey. I'd rather spend a little more now and get something that will last and will work on a wider variety of materials. I know Miller and Lincoln and the brands of choice for most people but they are out of my price range. I did find this though: http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-eastwood-tig-ac-dc-welder.html It seems to get good reviews and is well priced at $860. This is a little more than I wanted to spend, but it seems to be worth it. Does anyone here have any experience with this welder or have any suggestions for similarly (ideally less) expensive options? My garage is already wired for 220V so that would be my preference as well. EDIT: I also found this WSE200 Welder on ebay for $650 shipped but I have no idea if it's any good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/WSE200-AC-DC-TIG-PULSE-WELDER-INVERTER-POWER-MOSFT-WITH-FOOT-SWITCH-PEDAL-/320951188875?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item4aba2e7d8b#ht_4931wt_1029

TIG's are the most expensive, but they do REALLY awesome work. Different metals will require different fillers, and different amp settings to control the heat. An argon mig welder is the best for body work at a low heat setting. Don't get a gasless flux mig welder because the wire they have to use is pretty big. I know of a shop that has had the same chicago electric tig welder from harbor freight ($400) for the last 4 years... and they use the hell out of it. Just get a better torch because there were a few times that the leads were too short...

I am a welder, and I will be the first to admit that you get what you pay for when it comes to welders!. It is not a cheap thing to get into... If you are just welding every once in a while then the tig eastwood will be fine. I wouldn't go any cheaper than that (There prices are already pretty low for what you get)... If you want something that will run forever, perform well, and look good in your garage then I would suggest saving for a Miller Diversion 180 (The 165 doesn't come with a foot pedal).. It is perfect for aluminum and stainless, and it puts out just the right amount of amps and volts for automotive fabrication. Pick up a bottle of argon with this and start burning rods!.. but what was stated by Ginger is right though. If you get a cheaper machine it is a safe bet you will spend $200 or more upgrading all the cheap parts on it.

How hard is it to learn how to tig weld? I've heard that mig is the easiest to do but does poorly on stainless/aluminum so that's why I wanted to go with a tig welder.

I took a look at the Chicago Electric Tig welder for $399 at harbor freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/tig-arc-welders/tig-mma-inverter-welding-machine-with-digital-readout-98233.html) but in the description it says, "Weldable materials: Mild steel, low alloy steel, and stainless steel (not suitable for aluminum)". Why isn't it suitable for aluminum? Is that because it's only 165 amps or is it DC only?

It depends on your applications.. Mig is meant for multiple passes on thicker gauge metal (or thinner gauge with .035 or smaller wire). This would be ideal for making motor mounts, and tacking since you have a free hand, and its a faster process.. I use it at work for x-ray 1 1/2 inch pipe... Tig is meant for thinner material, single passes... This would be ideal for aluminum intercoolers, intercooler pipes, and just basically smaller stuff. I use tig welding at work to put a single root pass in to hold the following stick or mig passes... I encourage you to look more into it!. It is fun, and I couldnt imagine doing anything else for a career. You can also make a lot of money doing it if you do x-ray pipe work.... Oh and that cheap Harbor frieght has a duty cycle of 30% @ 165 amps. To weld aluminum you need a little more power like the Miller Diversion 180 duty cycle of 35% @ 125 amps

Paging CODE4 to the white courtesy phone.. Dave to the white courtesy phone....