HF welder = $160
Miller welder = $1500

Difference = $1340

Profit after 20 years of investment = ???

I don't think I have ever purchased anything with a 20 year strategy. However, if I do move to welding more than five times a year I might buy something else. Still seems like a horrible way to do something (buy the most expensive tool you can in hopes that you will use it sometime). I take it that you and your friends actually weld from time to time. I don't do it very often and my HF suits me just fine. I think I mentioned it before but I have a cheap plasma cutter as well. I've used it maybe 10 times and I am grateful as hell that I didn't spend $4500 on it.

 

I'm starting to get some use out of my cheap TIG setup. All in I've got about 400 bucks into it including bottle rental and a helmet. Its DC only so its scratch to start, but not all that bad once you get used to it. I've welded a little bit of exhaust pipe and some other odds and ends. Overall not too shabby and I'd definitely recommend it to anybody doing hobby type work and mild to moderate fabrication for a car (nothing too serious though). I'll probably be modifying it to add a foot pedal at some point....

I had a few minutes to kill today so I built a lamp out of a diesel exhaust valve from a recent engine overhaul on one of my company's boats.

 

Sweet. I love welding projects!