[Pete]

Spend the money to get something bigger than you anticipate using.
Look at it this way, whether you like it or not, as soon as you get a welder, your friends will be coming around to "get something quick tacked together". This is good but tell them the consumables are expensive and you have to charge them for that but you won't charge for your time and labor. Eventually, your new welder will be paid off.
A quick tip; while you are learning to weld stay away from jobs that might involve liability.