If you go with the el cheapo HF black mig welder, I recommend doing the rectifier mod. That machine is A/C output, the bridge rectifier makes it D/C output, and it welds way better. You can pick up 100 amp 1000volt 3 phase bridge rectifier on amazon for about 10 bucks. There are videos how to install it, but its basically undo a few wires inside and install this between them. Pretty easy and makes that cheapie unit run really good. Now the videos will tell you to add a GIANT capacitor to it, you dont need to. I did the capacitor, and it wasnt worth the time, money and effort.
You can get the welder and do the mod for less than a hundred bucks right now. The next big hurdle is the welding wire, the HF stuff absolutely sucks, stay away from it. Ive had really good luck with Forney flux core wire. Get a grinder with a wire wheel too, there will be spatter that needs to be removed after you weld.
I had to downsize the shop area, i turned in on 1 time. I have friends and shops that run them..or at the time ran them...no complaints. actually thinking of getting it this or next weekend
