Welding is not just a hobby but a very useful skill. I get asked by friends to fix this or that. Can save a ton of money.
I built a flag pole, bench, fixed my garage, tractor mounts for engine and mower, saw to cut wood (wood stove), and it just goes on and on.
All this stuff I would have had to purchase but when you can join steel you can build lots of cost saving stuff.
I found a bench in the trash up the street. Tossed because it cracked. Welded it up and it was fine.
Unlike wood, where strong joints are hard to form. When you weld something it pretty stays forever.
I needed a grate for my drain in the driveway. Easily a hundred dollar item and it would not even fit. I used some rebar, and in an hour had it done. That was five years ago and it is still there.
I cant say enough about welding!!!
What's sad was this skill was taught in many high schools as a part of your education. Now it's not!!!
I never learned to weld aluminum, and never had a need too. My older brother has a Miller Tig and can weld aluminum real well if the need ever arises.
When I was younger I had a Miller 300 amp TIG welder and could weld aluminum pretty well. I learned to TIG weld on aluminum and it is different to weld aluminum than it is to weld steel. Since I have downsized I now only have a 185 amp MIG welder, but I don't do much welding anymore.
I'd recommend a migwelder. Get something that can accommodate gas shield if you want to upgrade in the future (most do).
I ended up buying a more expensive 240V 180A Mig welder. I don't regret going 240V, but it wasn't needed. It's been 7 years now, lots of project/use but so far nothing that I couldn't have easily done with a 120V unit.
Tig is another option. Way more versatile, but a much steeper learning curve and is a lot slower which may or may not be a problem depending on the project.
[This message has been edited by JohnyWalter (edited 07-01-2018).]
