1.  Welding with gas is like 1000% easier than with the flux core gas free wire.  (Don’t buy one that has no provision for gas, even if you don’t plan to use it.)

a.  No splatter, you can see better.

b.  Much prettier result.

2.  Get one of those self darkening hoods.

3.  It’s a lot like learning to play the piano.  Practice, practice, practice.

4.  Every time you change materials other stuff changes also:

amperage

feed rate

5.  A second hand good welder is better than a new Harbor Freight eg.  Get the seller to demo it for you.

6.  Guys that weld well have been doing it for a long time.  They make it look easy, just like a good golfer.  

7.  Watch a bunch of Youtube videos on welding.  

8.  Get a good welder to set up your equipment for you (amp/wire speed) and then practice, practice etc. without changing anything.

9.  Ugly welds still hold pretty good.  If your weld is ugly, grind down the high spots down, fill in the low spots with JB weld and paint it all flat black before anybody sees it.  (This works good for me.) 

I ended up buying a $100, 15 year old Craftsman MIG welder – it weighs a ton.  Most of the guys who are “real” welders, with their Hobarts and Millers, would turn their noses up at it.  But, I have seen mine do a good job in the hands of someone who’s good – it’s mostly talent and practice, …..etc.   It’s fun.