Welder reccomendation?, $500 top end budget Options

[VaccaRabite]

So, I need to buy a welder. I have not welded, though I have been wanting to learn for some time. At most I want to spend $500 - I'd rather pay as little as possible for a tool to get the job done. I'll be welding sheet metal - the usual 914 stuff. Bits of the front and rear trunk need to be replaced, and once I have the thing, I am sure Iwill find other things that need it too.

Problem is, I don't know a whole lot about welders. I have read a lot on how to weld. I know that MIG welding is probably the way for me to go. But I don't know what to look for in a welder. Sales folk are going to try and sell me more welder then I need - its thier job. So, I'm asking the folks that know.

I probably won't buy one till after the holidays. maybe find sales somewhere... But let me know what to look for.

Thanks

Zach

[HeloMech]

FWIW, I bought the harbor freight mig welder. I just wanted something to tinker with. I've had it a while and just ran out the first spool of wire on it last week. The one I bought is the 120vt version. 87 amps. I went to a regular welding shop and bought quality guages/reg setup with the argon/co2 bottle. That stuff will swap over to a lincoln if I upgrade. I've welded on all sorts of things. My own, and friends, coworkers, etc. It's got 4 heat settings and wire speed dial. Only issue I ever have is if I get lazy and don't clean something before trying to weld it.

however, the little red lincoln weldpak is nice. It's got a nicer hose, larger grounding clamp, better electronics and the weld "SOUNDS" better when you're laying it down.

but again, I monkey'd with the flux core wire that came with the welder... then bought the MIG setup about a week or two later. I've not had any problems with it at all. The wire has always fed through it smoothly, etc HF sells all the parts for it anyway. At least, here they do.