I have a Millermatic 251 Mig Welder. Its a 240v welder. I can weld 1/2" with no problem and have welded 3/4" steel with it also. I also have the Miller Spoolmatic 30A spoolgun for welding aluminum. The welder alone will run about $1600, the spoolgun adds about another $900....

dave

 

i have a lincoln 110 in my shop at home. it's great for stuff like vehicle exhaust, body work, stuff like that. but like others said, if you want to do anything over 1/8 inch, a 110 is not the way to go. the flux core isnt as pretty, but any welding you're going to do is going to involve grinding and stuff like that. and the one i got was only 200 dollars at home depot, which i think it's a pretty good deal considering just to do my exhaust once would have cost that much at a muffler shop.

 

yes the 220 will have a much longer duty cycle. i had a 110 befor i switched to the 220 and i had problums with it not lasting as long as i needed. and if you ever plan on using it for any fab work that may be on frames or roll bars you will wont 220 i don't care what the others say you will not get penitration with 110 and absolutly not 1/2" ya it will stick together but it wont weld together.just like life its all about the PENITRATION