Stick (arc) welders don't do a very good job on thin sheet metal. Without the gas shield you end up with many holes in your weld. You end up welding and griding, welding and grinding, rewelding where you burnt a hole in the sheet, and more grinding. Before the mig welders, body shops used gas and brazed everything. Far easier than using a stick.
Is there somewhere you can take a welding class, such as a vo-tech school or a junior college? I would start a fund for a wire-feed welder, then buy one. You just can't beat doing it yourself.
