Well due to cost and some other factors I finally settled on getting a stick welder and then after a couple more months of waiting, researching, reading, etc a deal came up that I am fairly certain I can't pass up.

It's a hobart stickmate 235/160 ac/dc arc welder and he's selling the whole setup for 450 which includes a helmet, gloves, rod, and a cart. Seems like a great deal and I can't wait to get my grubby paws on it.

Only thing I see as a limitation is the min. being 1/8" for thickness. What do you guys think? The welder is 550 new by itself.