If you are looking for an "all purpose" welder, heavy enough to weld 1/4" plate with proper penetration and #20 ga. sheet metal without burn thru, be prepared to spend at least $1000 to $1500, and buy a 220 volt MIG welder. Blown Goat is correct, even for a cheap 110 volt mig (which really isn't any good for welding anything much heavier than 1/8" material) be prepared to spend $500 minimum.----Don't let people tell you that these small migs can weld heavier material. What they will do is deposit a bead of weld onto material heavier than 1/8" thick, and give you the impression that it is welding. This is extremely dangerous, as these lightweight welders just don't have enough balls to get any weld penetration into the parent metal. The parts will look welded, they will feel welded, but they absolutely will not take any heavy stresses without catastrophic failure!!!!!!