Originally Posted by kmaysob

first of all what is your budget? a good stick machine(lincoln tombstone) will set you back about $230. that is a ac only machine.with practice you will be able to weld as small as sheet metal with it.

on oxy/act setup that is big enough to weld/braze anything thick will set you back 500 with the tanks and all. you can oa weld thing metal, it just requires more heat(more gas). i love to braze and whenever i can get away with brazing somthing rather than electric welding it at work i will. dont let people tell you brazing is not as strong. ITS STRONGER using the right rods.

wire feed/ mig. a good unit will set you back anywhere from 300 to 1000. depending on what you want to do with it. i have a lincoln weld pack 3200hd. i payed 500 for it and an additonal 130 for the argon tank. that is a 110v unit and it does what i want it to. if i need to do thick stuff ill get my stick welder(see above). you can buy cheaper but i dont recommend it. i would also stay away from miller. they say its the best but all my experience with them is they are junk. harbor freight has cheap wire feeds but dont expect to do much with them.

home depot has a book on welding that is very helpful.

i hope i helped you in some way.