I just ordered a Prime Weld 180. It should be a upgrade at least heat wise from my Lincoln SP-100. Reviews and videos on it are all pretty positive. It is capable of stick or mig welding and even comes with a spool gun loaded with aluminum. Cost about the same as my little Lincoln did back in 93.

PrimeWeld 180 Amp 220-Volt or 110-Volt MIG Wire Feed Welder with Mig Gun, Gas Regulator MIG and Flux-Cored Wire Spool Gun Included MIG 180 - The Home Depot
180 Amp MIG, FLUX, STICK 180 MIG Wire Feed Welder with Spool gun, Mig Gun, Gas Regulator, MIG Wire, 110/220. The MIG180 180 Amp MIG Welder With Spool Gun gives you 3 different welding processes. Like most MIG welders, you can run flux-core wire without shielding gas using the same equipment as...
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