Looking at Welders

Subscribing....i want to get into the welding game too

I would say buy a wire feed (MIG) welder. They are easy to learn, and can tackle all the projects you have suggested. Filling holes with one requires some skill, but then so does filling holes with a TIG, and they are a lot harder to learn all around. There are several articles on Millermatic 135. It is a good quality welder, has infinite voltage control (something many cheaper welders dont have; having only 4 voltage choices is gay), and will weld up to .250 material. It's also reasonably priced (~$600, don't go by the prices on Miller's site, you can find it a lot cheaper). It will run on normal household voltage instead of 220v, so that's a bonus unless you have 220v in your garage.

I learned to weld at Tracker Marine (exclusively aluminum), and all the machines were Miller, so I'm kind of biased. However, Miller is definately a top brand, and you won't regret spending a couple extra bucks on a quality welder.

After buying the welder, you will need a gas tank (may be able to rent one, depending on your local welding supply store), welding hood, gloves, wire, extra tips and cups, and scrap metal to practice on (probably more, but that's all I can think of). Some of this stuff my come with your welder depending on what kind of package you get. It's also nice to have a cart, but I like to think of that as a first project