For serious fabrication my welder is called Gunter. Gunter is a german boilermaker at my work and we have a $5000 lincoln mig there. Only a few problems though, we have to be on the same shift when I want work done and it' hard to get big projects out of work past the security guard. For small stuff at home I have a handyman type arc.
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Ive got a ARC welder which is fine for general fab workand heavey gauge stell plate for thin car body you cant beat a mig .For fab work i run a small drill press a press a drop saw and hand drills and grinders next on the hit list is a good quality tube /pipe bender for rock rails and bull bars.Also helps being able to use works lathes mills and plate rollers
In Canberra, the TAFEs (now CIT) and some of the high school colleges run recreational courses or you can just enroll in one off welding course that are part of a certificate (probably hard to ge ta spot). Years ago I did a TAFE course is panel beating and welding for home mechanic type people. They also ran more advanced ones and also spray painting course - all after hours - basically packed with guys planning their "ground up restorations"
Here's one from the high school college in Belconnen (Canberra)
Welding for Beginners
Wednesdays 6.30 - 9.30 8 weeks
Starts: 22nd October
Fee: $155 (plus materials)
Course description: The aim of this course is to give you knowledge and skills to safely weld mild steel using Oxy-Acetylene, MIG and Electric Arc processes. You will learn about each process, how to set up the machines, how to prepare metals for welding, how to safely operate the various welders and the different techniques able to be used with each process. A series of exercises will gradually build your confidence to enable you to manufacture well made articles of your choice. This course is a useful pre-requisite for Metal projects.
have got 2 migs,,,,small one is excellent for doing sheet work,,,big one is around 300 amp or so ,,arc welder...drill press,,cut off saw,,4"grinder,,9" grinder,,few drills,,pipe bender,,drill press....etc etc etc......then if i really want to get serious i got the keys to a mates engineering shop,,,,,ahh life is good,,,,,lol.......
paz
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,,arc welder...drill press,,cut off saw,,4"grinder,,9" grinder,,few drills,,pipe bender,,drill press....etc etc etc......then if i really want to get serious i got the keys to a mates engineering shop,,,,,ahh life is good,,,,,lol....... 
