what welder should i get?

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Hi im a nembie to welding and i am just looking to do some welding on my car...nothing to expansive but just welding on new pieces of metal to cover rust and things liek that....i have a grinder to cut it out so i am not looking for a plasma cutter....i am just wondering if someone could help me figure out what the best type of welder for that would be...?
Reply:Sounds like you should be getting a MIG welder. I would recommend a unit from Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart. Stay with the big names. You'll regret buying a cheap Cambell Hausfeld type of welder. I would also recommend that you buy a unit that uses gas to shield the weld pool. They make flux core units but the weld quality is not as good. When your dealing with thin sheet metal, this is important. You want a weld which fuses the two pieces together but reduces clean-up. Sheet metal tends to distort if a lot of grinding is putting heat into it. When you start welding get some scrap pieces the same thickness and practice to get the wire feed speed and amps just right before going to the car for the real work. Weld in short sections meaning weld enough to get good attachment and skip to an area further down the weld line. This is because of the heat distortion thing. Good luck on your welding experience.
Reply:ddsmith is correct, a name brand machine is more than worth the investmentStangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:I'm guessing Thermal-Arc is one to stay away from based on the above list?  Specifically one of their tig inverters is what I've been eye-balling.
Reply:I can't comment on any TA MIG units, you might want to search the posts or wait for a response from somebody with experience in that area.  I'm using a used TA TIG unit (250 GTS) and I've had nothing but good experience with it.  Runs TIG (HF and Lift start) and stick.  Based on other posts I think you'll find many folks like their TA welders.  Yea, if money wasn't an object I would have loved to get a Miller Dynasty like the one I learned TIG on but I'm happy with what I've got for the $$$.TinkerCentury 135GS, ThermalArc 250GTS
Reply:Scott, (BrandX) on the Hobart forum has a lot of experience with TA machies.  As for the small feeders any of the brand names will work,, the Hobard handler series will be the cheapest, personally I like the HH180, its a 230V unit. The 120V work well,, but for the cost difference the 230's are twice the machine and it keeps them from getting plugged in places they shouldnt be.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Originally posted by Sberry Scott, (BrandX) on the Hobart forum has a lot of experience with TA machies.  As for the small feeders any of the brand names will work,, the Hobard handler series will be the cheapest, personally I like the HH180, its a 230V unit. The 120V work well,, but for the cost difference the 230's are twice the machine and it keeps them from getting plugged in places they shouldnt be.
Reply:I would recommend Lincoln or Miller.