I haven’t welded a thing in over 10 years when I was in high school.

Sometime in the next year I’d like to get a welder for basic repairs and small projects. I’m not trying to make a career change, just looking to tinker a bit.

I’d probably get a mig machine. Any recommendations on what I should be looking for?

Miller

If you weld indoors, get a mig with an argon kit. No need for fluxed wire, and a much cleaner weld. As stated, miller is the way to go here. You will want a higher output 240v unit for much over 1/8 inch.

What is your budget on welder?

I'd say Miller or Hobart whichever you find the best deal on. Both owned by Miller and same warranty iirc since Jan 2019

I'll 2nd what topwater13 said, Argon is nice and you can still weld outside with flux core if you have too. You can still weld out side in lite to no wind, or use a tarp shield as well. I have had both Miller and hobart, both are solid, I have a Miller 185 right now and it is a good machine.

If you have a cc with TSC, you may be able to get up a 20% off coupon, but usually an easy 10, worth looking into for a Hobart, aslo, sometimes you can find a deal on both, on cyberweld..com

I would get a Millermatic 252. Sure, you could start with a smaller machine but you are just going to end up wanting something a little bigger anyway. Might as well get it from the start. Its just like a workshop or a gun safe. You always wish you would have went a little bigger. The 252 is a good all around machine. The 212 is a decent machine also, however i wouldnt go any smaller.

I have a Miller 211, use 110 or 220. Has gas setup, does anything I need to do.

Doc,

simple choice

miller multimatic 215, can run 110 or 220, arc, tug and mig.

Very portable and decent duty cycle. Ran mine in the pasture off generator

What BOBO said. I have one and it is very user friendly, easy to switch from one mode to the other. Being able to switch from MIG to Stick gives you way more options.

So far a lot of quality expensive welders have been suggested. Your statement of " I’d like to get a welder for basic repairs and small projects. I’m not trying to make a career change, just looking to tinker a bit. "
You do not need an expensive welder for this, although I would not get a 110, just not enough amperage or long enough duty cycle to do a lot. I bought a mig 220 volt from Harbor Freight back in 1995. Have done a whole lot with it including building race car chassis. Have never had an issue with it. Started off with a 110 from them and it just did not work out, not long enough duty cycle and could not weld anything over .125 thick. You can cheat it a little by using the smallest diameter wire to up the heat and penetration You can pick up them for 4 to 500 dollars. Then you need to get an argon bottle. You could pull a extension line from your dryer outlet to your garage or make another breakerd line out of your breaker box in the garage. Of course if you have the money you could go with better quality equipment but if you are going to tinker and do small projects, buy something you can afford and upgrade if you need to in the future. I started off with a Lincoln stick welder back in 1990 which I still have also.

agree with GLC ... I have been welding for over 50 years for sideline projects for various tractor & implements mostly and have an old Lincoln stick welder for most things but hard to weld thinner materials without blowing holes. My kids bought me a $99 HF 110vac wire feed flux core a couple years back that is so stinking simple to use and move around to where ever I need to do stuff for the smaller and thinner stuff. I would love to have one of the nice Miller/Hobart welders, but for just tinkering around, the Lincoln and wire feed does 99.9% of what I need done.

I carried a little HF inverter 110 stick welder in my truck for a couple years, I finally burned it up. Actually welded really good with smaller rods, duty cycle was light but impressive non the less.

Thanks guys. That gives me a good place to start. I don't really have a set budget or really a time frame at this point. Just kind of looking at what my options are and what I need to expect to spend.

Check with local welding supply store, Miller runs sales and rebates through the year. They also have some nice compact plasma cutters also.

I asked this same question a while back and was recommended the Hobart 140...bought it and it's been doing great for all my around the house projects the past 3 years