[lippy]

I know this isn't a welding forum, but I'm guessing folks here will have some pretty good opinions. I want to sharpen my welding skills (and teach my kids) and am looking to buy either a MIG or TIG machine. Probably a used Miller/Hobart/Lincoln, or a new cheaper brand (not HF). I've welded a bit in the past but not recently, and have been reading over the past couple of months.

One of my main considerations is that I want to be able to weld in my garage and not make a complete smoky mess with a ton of splatter. This obviously eliminates FCAW. My main question is: If I buy a MIG and use it with gas, is it a pretty clean and confined process that I could do on a bench without a big mess and screwing up nearby things? I can get a 115/220 machine relatively cheaply. I know that TIG is the cleanest and is very confined and versatile, but it is also complex and more expensive. The cost and complexity aren't out of the question, but I would rather do MIG if it suits my needs and can be used on a bench.

Thanks!