[e015475]

I learned to weld with gas, then jumped to a TIG.

A lot depends on what you want to weld. I do a lot of small, intricate brackets, thin wall exhaust and headers, sheet metal and the occasional aluminum tank or bungs.

Once the skill with the TIG is mastered, it is much more versatile than a wire feed. I use my TIG almost every week. There's a small Lincoln wire feed in the shop, but I bet I've not run more than 10" of bead in the last ten years, and when I have it is mostly to tack a part to TIG it.

I've built car trailers and done major chassis work, and for that I've borrowed a Millermatic wire machine. Love the big Miller. It is fast.

If I were to invest time in school, I'd take a TIG class. Anyone can MIG and get a decent looking weld with an hour of practice.