Gas is the only thing really, when he can't get them from me a mate of mine goes round his local welding supplies and just buys 10/20 rods cos a full pack will just sit there collecting dust.
Mig is easy. Power up till you burn through(on a piece of scrap,the first time so you can learn your settings)
then turn it down 1 or 2 notches on the power.
Then play with your wire feed rate so it sounds like bacon frying in a pan.
Use constant speed with a steady hand and your laughing.
Tig is all about your rythem. You turn your amps up enough to get a nice weld pool going.
Feed in your rod, move forwards, feed in rod, move forwards..... Etc etc etc.
Granted there is more to it but that's the general jist.
Anything you've not done before or done much of can seam daunting.
The thing I find hardest is welding my bits together without my boss seeing me!!!! Pmsl
have a nice big stainless inlet to fit soon as iv made catch tank and bought the silicone reducers.