What would be the best welding setup for a beginner?

 

The best you can afford that will do the processes you want. Inferior stuff is just going to get in the way and slow down learning and ultimately be a waste of time and money. Being new you won't know if it is your technique that is bad or if the machine has an issue.

 

Depends completely on ur budget. And the area you will be welding in, also I would start with gtaw. When ur controlling every dab of filler metal that goes into the weld, ur set up to understand and watch the pool.

 

I know this is an old thread now but I'll add some input.

Here is a great video to get started in home fabrication:


You can change up the stuff a bit to get started (like you don't need to buy the ZTFab cart mods for a toolbox, but it's a nice first project) and that table is a bit flimsy but it is definitely enough to get 'started'. I literally started with an old metal and formica topped table and just tossed a piece of 3/8th plate on top of it.

If you (or anybody else) has questions on how to get started just ask.