$1000 budget, which mig welder???

Buy a 220v welder.

I like both lincoln and Miller. My friend that does this stuff for a living once told me after I bought a MIller MIG. Lincolns for MIG, Millers for TIG.

I will say that the Lincoln SP175+ is a really nice 220v welder and can be had used for around $400-500. I think the new rigs are the 180's.

If you do buy something, make sure the machine has infinite adjustment in both voltage and wire speed on the 175-180 machines. The 200-250's are sometimes and usually tapped selection on voltage.

Totally agree. Wish I bought the 220v infinite adjustment unit.