Originally Posted by AXracer

Do you have someone to show you the basics? Do you have a dedicated grinder with a wheel that has never been used and never will be used for anything but grinding electrodes? First thing you want to build is a welding bench. I'd suggest ~ 24 x 36 top of 3/16-1/4" un warped steel plate on 48" high steel legs. Pipe legs with pipe flanges bolted to the top will work or use square tube to make a top frame and legs. Set the legs in ~ 6" from the edges so you can clamp pieces to the top. Use a comfortable adjustable height chair to sit on and have plenty of light directed on where you are welding.
You definitely want a self darkening helmet that is adjustable from 9-12 plate final darkness. Look in the hot rod magazines like Street Rodder or Hot Rod for a page of Harbor Freight coupons. Their helmet works well and you can get it with coupon for ~ 36.00! For tig you want light weight snug fitting all leather work type gloves, not the heavyweight welding ones used for MIG or stick welding. You need to be able to feel and feed the filler rod, the gloves are only needed to protect from UV rays, not heat or splatter. Don't use gloves with any fabric parts. Wear a long sleeve 100% cotton shirt (blue work shirt or old dress shirt type), and watch for exposed skin at neckline with helmet down unless you like strange sunburn patterns. No matter what you see the clowns on TV doing, NEVER tack or weld without a helmet!!!! Sunburned eyeballs and/or face is very painful!