I am a novice welder. I bought a Clarke 130 MIG welder but I think it had some issues. A year later I bought a Lincoln MIG 135 that uses home voltage. I use shielding gas rather than FLUX core. I'm very happy with my welder and it can do any sheet metal job I want it to do.

I would stay away from the Harbor Freight welders. Buy Lincoln, Miller or Hobart. I have never tried stick welding. Results improve with practice.

If you are patient, you can usually find a good deal on Craigslist.

1965 Chevy C10 Shortbed 1/2-Ton Stepside
Truck College
In the Stovebolt Gallery
In the Project Journals Forum
The Build BLOG on Weebly
T5 Transmission Build page