what is the least expensive welder i can get away with ?

i would toss around Lincoln and Miller. Hobart would be next in line.

Most welding shops carry Lincoln and Miller for a reason. Because professional welders can stand behind them .. or around or depending how they are welding :)

Also the capability to switch to Stainless wire ... for those stainless jobs :)

75% Argon and 25% CO2 is what i mainly use in my mig welder... but i have played a bit with the flux core wire but if that is the case i use the Arc (stick) because penetration is much better.

if you have 220v in your garage ... go that route and you will smile for many years. (hydro bill too)

Stay clear of the big box store models. Cheapened down internal parts that cannot be fixed, just replaced.

I mainly run with an arc welder on most occasions, but when i get to delicate sheet metal i step down to the MIG

Everything in my shop is Lincoln and never have any issues other then when the hydro goes out. Because i cant weld :)

Once you start welding you will be building things just because you can and have access of joining two pieces of metal together.

Can you borrow a friends?