Originally posted by Dennis Meyers
Aluminum with a MIG will require the use of Argon sheilding gas. A teflon liner is helpful but not necessary, but w/o it you will have to keep your lead as straight as possible. MIG has a much eaiser learning curve but TIG is capable of welding almost all alloys. If it were me, I'd go with a 110v MIG to get started.
Good information. :thumb:
You can usually find used TIG machines for around $1,000 to $1,500. They usually come with a gas bottle, gauges, pedal and a torch. Like others have said, it is much harder to learn to use a TIG welder but, you can do a lot more with it. With a TIG you can weld aluminum, stainless, chrome moly, titanium, magnesium or mild steel. With a MIG you can weld aluminum and steel but, you have to change the wire spool and gas for different metals. On a TIG you simply change the dials.
A new TIG machine can cost from $2,500 up to about $4,000 once you buy all of the accessories.
On some of the 110V MIG welders they use a flux coated rod. They are good for quick little repairs but, they don't really give good penetration or a nice looking weld compared to a TIG. A 220V unit with a gas bottle will do a better job with better penetration than a flux coated rod type. Argon gas works good for aluminum and argon and CO2 mix is a good combination for welding different metals.
You might want to check at your local community college for some welding classes. That way you can use their machines to find out what will work best for you.
Just my $ .02
Ol'89r