[Gdeaver]

Tig welding separates the heating from the filler material feeding. This allows you to place the arc and concentrate the heat where you need it with out excessive metal build up. The filler material can be added when and where its needed. It's more like a brazing process. This requires one to have 2 different hand motions at the same time. This takes allot more time to master. Difficult welds usually can be done better with Tig. Tig is expensive. The one piece of equipment I would spend some money on is a good wide view variable auto darkening welding helmet. It makes a big difference when your learning. > $150 but worth ever bit. I hate welding with a 115 volt MIG welder. I only use mine on jobs where I don't have access to 220. If you can afford it go with a good 220 unit. The more you spend the better the duty cycle. Learn to weld steel well first, then tackle aluminum. Most welding supply houses will have a book on welding and I think its Modern Welding. It includes several hours of step by step examples of welding techniques on DVD. The only way to learn to weld is practice and practice and practice.