Welder Choice for Newbie?

>> Hello, all.
>>
>> I'm looking for advice on getting my first welder.
>>
>> Applications: Light fabrication, repairs and improvements to boat
>> trailers and riding mowers and woodworking equipment, and just
>> general-purpose work around the "farm," mainly with mild steel and cast
>> iron.
>>
>> I have only welded once or twice with an arc welder (as a teenager).
>>
>> Several of my friends tell me to get a wire-feed MIG welder because
>> (they say) it's easier for an amateur to get good results, and because
>> (apparently) the power requirements of a wire-feed MIG welder aren't as
>> intense as those of an arc welder.
>>
>> However, I lean toward a regular arc welder because (as I understand
>> things, and please correct me where I'm wrong):
>> 1. arc welders are cheaper to buy and feed supplies to than MIG wire
>> feed welders of similar quality;
>> 2. arc welders are simpler to set up and take care of, if (somewhat)
>> more difficult to use satisfactorily; and
>> 3. setting up an arc welder to do a particular job is probably going
>> to be simpler than for a MIG wire-feed welder, if only because there
>> are fewer variables.
>>
>> In addition, power is not an issue for me, since I have 100A to my
>> shop/barn and a 230V/50A slot on the panel just waiting for a welder to
>> plug in.
>>
>> I was considering purchasing a Hobart Stickmate AC/DC welder for about
>> $420 in part because I've heard that DC arc welding gives smoother
>> results than AC.
>>
>> Do you more experienced welders think that such a welder would be a
>> decent choice for a newbie welder like me?
>>
>> What about the MIG wire feed versus arc welding question in general?
>>
>> As I said, I don't know how to weld yet, but I do understand some of
>> the fundamental theory from professional welder friends who have
>> explained it, and I'm fairly mechanically inclined and decent with my
>> hands (I do a lot of woodworking).
>>
>> Thank you for any insights or advice.
>>
>> Jonesy
>>

>
> Cast iron is challenging to weld - I would forget about that for now.
>
> Given that you want to weld mild steel, the next question is will every
> workpiece be at least 1/8" thick? Because if you do have to weld sheet
> metal you won't be happy with a stick welder, although there are some
> techniques you can use that will help.
>
> If you buy a stick welder, you absolutely want DC. No question. AC-only
> machines are nearly impossible to resell. And for sure look locally for
> a used machine before you consider a shiny new one. I see nice - really
> nice - small Miller Thunderbolts (AC/DC) in the $100-150 range all the
> time where I live.
>
> Actually, a small MIG welder (e.g. Lincoln SP175 or SP135) along with a
> small stick welder (e.g. Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC) is a pretty handy
> setup.
>
> Grant