mig welding is weakest type of welding you can do stick is in the middle tig is the strongest type of welding you can do it is also te hardest to learn how to do properly but makes the prettest welds out of all but its also the slowest form of welding, I have tig welded on aluminum,stainless steel,and steel all the welds it produces are stronger ,stick welding you really dont need to look at its for more industrail uses and more slag is left you will probably want to go with a mig welder you can get good looking welds and learn how pretty easly and the are strong enough for what ever you use them on as long as you get your heat right and speed right you may want to consider going to a collage or tech center and take a night course on welding you can use all the material you want and never run out that way. I welded for(Flour Daniels) duing shut downs for about 3 years I welded at Nucular power plants and other industrial places all over the east coast and also at some Naval ship yards you can make some good money if you dont have kids and like traveling 2nd year out i worked 8months out of the year and borught home over 150k