Newbie welder / some questions

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Hello everyone, i am new here and new to welding, i have been thinking about making a small go cart for a while now because i have nothing to do in my shop.  What kind of metal would be the easiest to weld, strongest and lightest. lol. And what kind of welding machine would be the best for a begineer but can get the job done? thanks for your help, cant wait to get started!!!bi
Reply:A good low cost approach may be a used AC "buzz box" stick welder like the Lincoln AC 225.  Should be able to find one for around $100.Square or rectangular steel tubing, probably around 1/16" thickness, welded with 3/32" diameter 6013 and/or 7014 rod.Weld everything in the flat position.
Reply:You heard him. I'd stick with 7014 for now; it's an easier rod for a beginning welder to start with and you'll like the appearance better. And you really can't kill those Lincoln buzz boxes. Good luck,  post pics!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:I was thinking about an MIG welder would this be anygood, it looks like it can weld a variety of materials including alluminum.  Does this require less skill. thanks, and by the way, would using round tubing be any good, just because it might be hard to bend the square stuff and it looks better. thanks.
Reply:What about round toubing 1/16 but stainless steel, would this look better in apearance but still be easy to weld? im just trying to get everything straight. thanks, for all you help.
Reply:If cost isn't a consideration, by all means buy yourself a mig. It is an easier process to master than stick. The same goes for stainless; more expensive material, and an added consideration is it has it's own technique. But honestly for just building a go cart, I would work with a cheap buzz boz and mild steel tubing or box. You just notch, bend and weld the seam with box, probably easier than bending tubing. Your call, let us know how you decide to go and post pics of your project We love to see this stuff!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:jatoman,  Im pretty new to welding also.  My first welder was a Lincoln SP 100T.  Its a great little machine.  It was a factory refurb and cost about $430.  I use it for welding bike frames and general repair.Good luck!
Reply:If you're serious about doing this, do yourself a favor and DO NOT buy an off brand, Chinese made MIG welder. You'll find, once you get started, you'll really enjoy it and you'll find all kinds of things to build.    You want a machine that'll go the distance for you, year after year, without trouble, and can be repaired if necessary. Yeah, $600 is a lot of dough for some folks to fork up, but it's only 200 more than a no-name welder. If the no name goes south on you, or welds like ****, then you're gonna be out over $1000 overall, time it's all said and done and you bought a real machine the second time and had to give away the first one to get rid of it.    I've learned the hard way about buying cheap tools that I expect to do a professional job. Thermal Arc, Hobart, Lincoln and Miller should all do you well.