A welder is a big investment, make sure to spend the extra bucks off the bat and get a machine big enough for what you wanna do. a good welder will last a lifetime, you don't want to be buying one twice because you outgrew it. pay close attention to duty cycle. I say if you're going MIG you want a 220V machine. gas shielding is worth the extra money over flux core.

Everybody knows a plasma cutter makes the best companion to a welder! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

-Rob