Opinion's on this set up for a brand noobi

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Hello, I have no idea if I can even weld (as I am partially blinded due to a brain tumor I had removed in 09') so I want to buy a really low rung set up to see (no pun intended) if I can even do it......with that said, would this be a good starting point? meaning, if I find out I can't see well enough to weld reliably then I'm not out that munch money but if I CAN weld then I can learn on it. This is the link to the welder:   http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIG-100-GAS-...item53fc1b75beThanks for any advice!
Reply:Don't waste your money on that! I would see if you could try welding at a tech. school or see if a local welder or shop might be willing to let you try welding with their equipment. See if any of the local welding supplies have a demo room where you could try out a welder. Seriously, you would be doing yourself a HUGE disservice with a cheap welder like that. CEP does pretty good for only having one good eye. If he had two good eyes, he'd make us all look like hacks. LoL
Reply:At about the same price you should be able to purchase a used name brand Craigslist AC stick welder. If it works out for you, it will be welder enough for most heavier jobs...not so good on light sheet metal. To be truthful, downright pathetic on thin gauge sheet metal. If it doesn't work out for you, you should still be able to sell the welder for what you have in it...which you probably won't be able to do with the welder you linked to.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Yes, that would do the job of telling you if you can see the puddle.   You will not be real happy with it as a welder unless you are just doing artwork that could also be done with hot melt glue.  It is not real adjustable and will only work well on certain thicknesses of metal.I see you are near LA.  Even using Craigslist you can count on spending 200 to 400 dollars for a decent learning unit from Lincoln, Miller or Hobart.   It would be cheaper to see if you can go to a welding shop and pay them $20 for 5 minutes of their time.   You want to ask to see the puddle during MIG welding.   The other advantage is that they can explain what you are looking for.   I used to think I was looking at the arc, but I should have been looking at the molten puddle.Dan----------------------------Measure twice.  Weld once.  Grind to size.MIG:  Lincoln SP100 TIG/STICK:  AHP Alphatig 200X