So many choices: MIG, TIG, MUTI-Process?

[wizindustries]

A little info to go by before you here my problem:

I worked building street/strip cars for a East Coast Company about 4 years ago before enlisting into the Marines. In that I got 5 years of welding under my belt in MIG and TIG. I was welding everything from Stainless up to aluminum and mag once and awhile for slight repairs. I never had to worry about what i needed cause the shop had 4 mig millermatics and 3 syncrowaves that where probably a good 7+ years from the looks of them. They were awesome and worked great and now i feel it is time to buy something that can do almost what i was doing then. I plan on taking on some hot rod projects which will ocassionly get me welding at the most 1/4" steel for short period of time maybe 10 minutes at once before taking breaks. aluminum probably not more that 3/16" and that would be a rare case. so the average will be .125 walled tubing that will need both cosmetic tig welds and quick strong welds MIG style for frame mods. i want the ability to have both mig and tig at my fingertips but the projects are not going to be all that industrial (everyday). Its more for hobbies until i get a chance to do side jobs for some money. I want the ability to weld aluminum, chromemoly, and stainless. I am wondering if the Shopmate wpould be able to handle the weekend hobbyist that will get on a mission when it comes to race cars and street rods. My space is limited and are those multi-process machine worth it? I appreciate the help and I am trying to decide what I am going to get with my re-enlistment bonus after I get back from the sandbox. im looking to spend at most 5,000. Semper Fi

[Laiky]

If it were my money, in a shop setting (non-portable) i would get an MM212 for MIG, and a DYN 200 for TIG. You get all the alluminum bells and whistles with the dyn + you can get a spool gun for the 212. If you want to keep it all compact and portable get the passport plus. You give up duty cycle and top end but i believe you can still do 1/4" steel. If your looking to save some bucks and can get by with an "old fashioned" Tig get the sync 200 and save over a grand.

[MAC702]

Multiprocess has its place, but even with limited space, I'd be trying every option to have two separate machines. You can even put a really nice TIG/Stick machine on the top of a MM252 for your budget.

[zmotorsports]

Having had a multi-process machine for many years I vote for process specific machines. The multi-process did an OK job no most everything I used it for but not as good a job as the machines that are specifically designed for each process. I now have an MM251 and a Dynasty 300 and have the best of both worlds. As far as room I don't think the two machines take up any more shop space than my multi-process with the large power source. Mike.

[Paul Seaman]

I have many machines and most multi process machines will suffer on the top end on aluminum if they offer AC at all. I agree with the others a solid millermatic 212 and a dynasty 200DX will set you up nicely. However it will be limited on the materials up to 1/4" or so. I have done that kind of work with mine and it well and when pushed really hard with preheat and running helium I did significantly heavier, but I do not recommend that as a steady diet or the machine will have serious issues.

Peace,
Paul

[cruizer]

Lincoln MP350, one stop shop.