Topic: Tools of the Lemon Trade?
At some point I have to build and race a Lemons car. I just can't not, it's an existential type of thing I guess. I daily drive a $600 1996 Geo Metro, so there's at least a 18% chance that it will eventually become a real-life racecar. I'd like to be able to do all the work myself, including building the roll cage. I have a few years experience as a MIG welder both on a production line as well as in a small shop doing high end custom doors and windows, so I am confident in my welding abilities. However, I do not own any metal fab tools. What would be the cheapest welder that you would trust to build a roll cage and various other stuff such as engine/trans mounts, suspension mounting points, etc... Part of me wants to buy a TIG welder despite never having done TIG welding before, but I do want to learn to TIG and be able to make custom aluminum bits and pieces both for personal use or to sell on the side. I also have a dream of owning my own business making and selling semi-industrial style furniture and home accessories, and I worry that a TIG welder will make production of these items slower than necessary or will run into times where there's not enough juice to get the job done in a timely manner.
ANYWAYS, looking for a recommendation for a welder and tube bender for low cost high quality clean and pretty welds. Full time salary-slave and full-time student and have three small kids, so time and money are all short at the moment, even considering Harbor Freight stuff at this point.