TIG welders for idiots (or beginners!)

[Shug]

During my restoration project a fair few folk tell me I'd be better tig welding than mig welding certain things. Of course tig welders had to go and be way more expensive than Mig didn't they!
I have zero ideas about TIG (but am trying to find a course schedule from local colleges)
I gather HF is better than scratch start?
Are these of any worth at all (with regards to complete beginner)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BUTTERS-165-A...QQihZ001QQcategoryZ113743QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TIG-WELDER-WE...QQihZ010QQcategoryZ113743QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The interesting use of english language on the 2nd suggests no on that one.
As an aside, how does TIG/plasma cutting work? Can you get add ons or would you need very specific (and no doubt expensive) machines?

Things I'd be welding would be chassis, tube steel etc. Nothing hugely thick I would imagine. (at least not til I've had a lot of practice!)

 

[shenion]

Those would get you going on steel. You will need AC and HF start if you want to do Al welding.

For steel, scratch or lift start is fine. You get a chance of contaminating the tungston.

Yes, most of the inexpensive units are Chinese suppliers. If the listing does not mention local service, then I would avoid it.

Plasma needs a unit that can supply a higher voltage than TIG, I have not seen any add-on for TIG so the unit must support it.

 

[snowcat]

The buttlers would be the better machine, again like shenion says HF and AC are needed for ally, a good inverter based machine will start at about £1500, S/H half that, Scratch start DC sets can be added to just about any inverters. large ally welding will require big amps large duty cycles and water cooling on the torch.

 

[Shug]

On the flip side, would a plasma cutter do Tig?

 

[DIY Welding]

The Butters AC/DC 160 is a nice bit of kit we sell about one a week and are happy with the reliablity pm me if you want a special forum price