Welding and Metalworking - New to welding/metalworking

Hi, first post! I have been reading through a lot of the welding posts and lurking throughout the internet since I'm pretty new to this.

I am a average do-it-yourselfer and have done a fair amount of woodworking in my time. I decided to take a metal sculpture class at an art school to learn stick welding and use of a cutting torch.

The learning curve has not been kind and through a fair amount of practice my welds are getting better. I read through the "how to choose a welder" thread and it was helpful. I don't have a 220v outlet in my garage, and I am so far from my breaker box the cost of putting a new circuit in over that length may be cost prohibitive (and a whole other thread).

Couple of questions,

1) I am leaning toward a MIG since I can run it on 120v. Will I be able to make the switch ok or is it quite a bit different?

2) Regarding oxy/acet. torch setups, I have found craigslist setups with empty tanks. I have also heard most places wont fill cylinders, they make you rent theirs on an exchange - can someone shed some light into this?

thanks

first welcome to the forum!
my suggestion is to buy a MIG welder. a lot easier and forgiving than a stick welder and the better you get, the more you will practice. welding like everything else is about PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE!
supply houses will fill your tanks provided they have been safety inspected and certified. i simply swap mine out when empty. you can buy small tanks(80 lb.) fairly reasonable. when you get better or need to, you can trade up. unless you will be doing a lot of torch work, you won't need large tanks for a while. i think i pay about $40 for a two tank swap(oxygen and acy. 80 #). you CAN buy a 230v. MIG but i doubt that you will ever need it unless you are going to weld some HEAVY stuff. Good luck!

I agree that a MIG unit would be a good choice.

You do need to do something about a power supply though.
Even if you were to get a 115 volt MIG unit they still a 20amp circuit.
You would do well to wait untill a 220 volt power supply is possible for you to install in your garage.

Also, for learning to weld an oxyacetylene set up is not required.
An inexpensive chop saw, a small grinder, a selection of clamps and similar gadgets would get you on your way.

Make sure that if you are going to try flux core to start with that the welder had a gas kit.

I agree that a MIG unit would be a good choice.

You do need to do something about a power supply though.
Even if you were to get a 115 volt MIG unit they still a 20amp circuit.
You would do well to wait untill a 220 volt power supply is possible for you to install in your garage.

Also, for learning to weld an oxyacetylene set up is not required.
An inexpensive chop saw, a small grinder, a selection of clamps and similar gadgets would get you on your way.

Make sure that if you are going to try flux core to start with that the welder had a gas kit.

yes a torch isn't necessary. i just thought that he wanted to get one to heat and bend/twist, etc..
i started with the flux core wire and found it too messy!