I have a Lincoln Stick Welder and a Miller 250 Mig.
Both have their use in my shop.
Like many guys, I learned how to weld in Shop Class. For years, I only had a stick welder, and had to have someone else weld stainless and aluminum for me. Now with my Miller Mig and different bottles of gas and different wire, I can weld most things myself.
Hobart had a great deal that included a Spool Gun. I have a spool gun for my Miller 250 w/20'cable, and it's awesome. I don't have to keep moving my welder or work around, to reach everything. For steel welding, I use the regular gun.
Miller and Hobart both make a reasonably priced portable welder that will weld up to 1/4" place in a single pass. Lincoln is another great welder. You can go with flux core wire and not have to deal with gas. The welds are good, just not as clean as when using a shielding gas.
There's a learning curve with using a Stick or Mig Welder. Once I got my Miller Mig Welder, I only use my Lincoln Stick Welder if the steel is rusty and I want a quick weld without a lot of clean up.
Northern Tool stocks them
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_welding+wirefeed-welding+wirefeed-welders
If you're looking for a cheapie, check out the Clarke Welders. They are not as well made as a Hobart or Miller, but guys I know who have them, say they work good enough for them.
Remember, if you're looking for a production welder, you're not gonna get it with a "Hobby Welder". They're just not built to stand up to the continuous work.
Good Luck!
Todd