Question for the welders

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/
This sight should be what you are looking for.

Allen find yourself an AC/DC stick/buzzbox. They're pretty cheap but not as cheap as the straight AC buzzbox. AC/DC will give you more flexibility with different welding rods some like DC some like AC. The only real drawback is that it's tougher to weld thinner material (conduit/sheetmetal) with the stick but it's still possible.