for me having learned DC /steel first, I actually found ally easier (following some advise from Richard on settings and tacking). I found ally was like drawing with a marker versus a with sharp fine pencil compared to dc /steel.
Ally amplified all the skills you need to learn on DC, ie travel speed, rod feeding, arc length and amperage control. I actually found it easier pulsing the pedal myself and running hot/ fast as it forced me into a rhythm and taught me to feed quickly, but also helped tighten up my beads. It's akin to riding a bike slowly in a straight line versus the stability speed gives.
If I were in your position, I'd mock up the pipes, index them and get somebody proficient to do them (technically I am in your position as I'm back to DC only as my mates taken his AC/DC set back...)
Ally amplified all the skills you need to learn on DC, ie travel speed, rod feeding, arc length and amperage control. I actually found it easier pulsing the pedal myself and running hot/ fast as it forced me into a rhythm and taught me to feed quickly, but also helped tighten up my beads. It's akin to riding a bike slowly in a straight line versus the stability speed gives.
If I were in your position, I'd mock up the pipes, index them and get somebody proficient to do them (technically I am in your position as I'm back to DC only as my mates taken his AC/DC set back...)