Can you quantify that a bit? I'm sure many factors determine how quickly one can become proficient with TIG, but what's a conservative estimate for someone with mechanical aptitude, but no welding experience? Is it a skill somebody with patience can even pick up on their own, or is training pretty much mandatory? There are welding classes at the JC near me, but the hours are pretty inconvenient...

I've wanted to get into stainless fabrication for a long time. Hobby stuff mostly, but it could turn into part time work a few years down the road when I semi-retire. Most of the stuff would be marine related, dealing with thin wall tubing - something for which I'm assuming TIG would be the preferred method.

I hesitate to learn welding with MIG, even though I've read it's far easier...I just don't think I'd have anywhere near as much use for it long term.