This is the welder I purchased on Tim's recommendation after asking a lot of people what they thought:
Amazon.com: Hobart 500487 Handler 125 115-Volt 30-to-125 Amp Arc Single-Phase Wire Welding Package: Home Improvement Should work out well, can use flux or MIG if I want to get some gas.
I do need to get some of the other tools, but I'm hoping I can just borrow from my father so I don't wind up in debt before school starts up.