welder

[Scott Larson]

I bought a Solar mig welder years ago for $400.00 and it has done everything I've ever needed it to. It's a 110/220 volt 225 amp gas mig that uses a tank of argon gas for shielding. So much better then a flux core IMHO. Also, stick welders are great if all you plan to weld is heavy gauge steel; but if you plan on doing any sheetmetal work, mig or tig is the best way to go as they can weld both, to 1/4" and beyond. Mig is also the easiest to learn and use while tig is the hardest. They all take a little patience and practice, but it comes pretty quickly. Best of luck!

[technocoy]

If you get a MIG make sure it's at least able to upgrade to gas. The difference is night and day.

I would say unless you are welding sheet metal or tiny delicate parts a stick welder would be fine, and it's also the best way to learn how to make a good weld.

A TIG is probably overkill for most of what you would ever do and is considerably harder to learn. Unless you'll be doing lot's of thin stainless, aluminum, copper, etc, it's really not something you should bother with. They are also a bit more expensive. It's essentially a plasma welder.

Welder Supply and Harbor Freight would be good places to look.

Welding brands are like asking about Ford or Chevy, Nikon or Canon... They are all pretty much decent, and it really comes down to what you wind up comfortable with and what color you love ;-)

Lincoln and Miller are both good base brands to start with. With BuzzBoxes (stick welders) it's pretty hard to go wrong either way.