I don’t know. I started with a $200 harbor freight DC machine with lift arc and did pretty well with it. The biggest limitation was me and my skills not the capability of the machine. I’m a tungsten dipper. Once the arc was struck it was up to me. I will say that it was not very convenient to start and end the weld but in between it was all up to me. I much rather have a high frequency start or something else but if all I can get is lift arcI think you should go for it
