Welding Woes, to buy and learn / to hire a pro Options

[stateofidleness]

So im almost to the point where welding will be happening on the ol' floorpans

Im wondering whether it is worth the investment to buy a welder and all the accessories needed for the job (could be pricey i presume) or whether it's best just to hire a shop to weld up the holes in my floorpan?

if i DO buy a welder (which i think could be fun and a neat thing to learn), what am i looking for? i have a few small pencil diameter holes to patch and a couple baseball size holes to replace in the corners...

what type of welder should i look for?
what type of welding is best?
what type of metal to use?
where can i buy a cheap welder and acc. needed? (as cheap as possible! i dont mind used)
best to hire a pro?

this would be my first time welding so id probably practice on other things first, but im willing to learn and do it right. ive also got an engman kit on the way, so it would be nice to be able to weld that in myself!

Thanks for the help!

[TravisNeff]

I agree with Zach on a 110V model. that will do anything you need to do on the car. I prefer shielding gas (C02/Argon) and not flux core. Get a big tank too. I love my Miller, but also like the Lincolns. Be sure to get one with a gas conversion kit (so you don't have to buy it separately)

I have more than paid for mine with the projects that I have done. But I wanted to do more welding than just the car.

Here is a good deal on a lincoln SP 135 T with free shipping - add a tank, helmet (you can get auto dimming helmets from harbor frieght that work good for $50), welding gloves and tips (tips are consumable). I would get one with a .023 liner & tip for using .023 wire for doing light panel work on a car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Genuine-LINCOLN-sp-135...1QQcmdZViewItem