I have tried a $100 cheap wire feed that a friend had. Its ok for quick welds on 1/8 and some little stuff, but it had a short duty cycle and required lots of cleanup from not getting a good constant arc. It will just burn holes in sheet metal.
I started with a small welder from home depot. It was an Hd3200. about a $500 machine. It came with a regulator and a nozle that can use gas and 0.023 wire. I did need to spend $100 for a tank of 75/25 gas. It is built by lincoln and is identical to there model 135 or 150 something like that. It also has the option for an aluminum kit that I have to order someday. Lincoln sells the one with there name for 800-1000.
I found with 0.030 cored wire I originally burned some holes in 16awg, and had a hard time doing any 18 or 20awg. I ran out and bought the gas tank and switched to solid 0.023 wire. it was much more forgiving on the thin stuff. But its more expensive. With a little practice it works very well. Now that I know what Im doing 030 flux gets used for everything possible. I only use the gas and 0.023 for long welds on 18awg or smaller. The machine says it can do 24 awg, but I don't have the skill.
On the other side the machine says it can also weld 1/4 plate. It does ok, but could use a little extra power.
Overall I think it its agreat machine for $500 and a small home shop.
