I use this Lincoln. Sure there are better and more impressive welders around. But I chose this one because it's what we used at welding school "so must be OK" LOL. I've just got to know the thing so I can successfully weld thick and thin, thick to thin, stainless, and aluminium.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1724615829.jpg

^^^ That looks like mine. After 10+ years, I’m still learning.

Me too. By the time I've finished a project I'm quite good. I'd rather like to be good at the start of the project too LOL

Our guys love pulse/inverter mig for stainless - ours are Millers.

One guy bought a Lincoln for personal use several years ago - after multiple repairs under warranty it's out of warranty and broken again.

At least one of the other companies we work with has Fronius - I haven't heard anything bad about those.

Fronius, Panasonic. Both are excellent.

This is all overkill for 99% of the population. In production there is a payback for cheaper gas mixtures, reduced spatter, and increased deposition rates. At home, who cares?

And I would not trust anyone that says they can run aluminum mig without a spool gun. Not for any length of time. You'll be changing liners pretty frequently, that's what I've seen.