Hi
I manage a welding shop and Tig and Mig all day long some of the previous post are missleading and factually incorrect!
For what you want to do a small lift start DC plant would be fine to do your light gauge Mild steels and Stainless steel, you will need a bottle of Argon, which will obviously cost rental, a decent regulator and if your gas flow is set right it will last for ages.
It doesn't have to cost a fortune, obviously the more money you throw at one the more you get! but for the hobbyist you don't need it
As for spares well for home your not really going to need much, a spare ceramic, collet and collet body and a back cap, however the most used item will be your "tungstens" all of these are available cheaply from ebay the quality of which is good enough for your needs.
PM me if you want and Ill give you my phone number and talk you through it.
