I know I'm new here and have been lurking around for a while but welding and welders is something I did a bunch of research on before I purchased mine. From all the research I did the consensus on welders was that you get what you pay for.
The harbor frieght style ones might work for your project but it might die in the middle of it also. If your looking to spend the least amount of money I think you would be better off looking locally on craigslist for a good used name brand unit. Usualy you can get them with all the tanks, masks and extra wire for a fraction of the cost. I got a 220V namebrand unit with three tanks and three large rolls of free wire for $300!
Hope this helps and since its been a month and half since your post I hope it's usefull.
Mark