I've been told * Not * to Electric weld bicycle tubing, the current passing through it changes, and makes the metal brittle, and crack prone. Better quality bicycles are either hand, or furnace brazed, not welded. You would be well off to buy a portable acetyline outfit, such as an Airco Tote Weld. My unit uses a 10 cu ft. Oxy bottle [ refillable ] and a disposable MAPP cylinder . Easily carried to job, uses either a cutting, or welding tip. Works just like a full size acetyline outfit, but a lot smaller. I have to be biased against a ' cheap ' welder, an experienced welder could get by with one, but a beginner won't. If you want to learn to weld, think of it as a musical instrument, your early attempts will be dissapointing, with practice you'll improve, until you ' get it ' than you quickly go from not bad, to good. A student needs a stable arc, and the ability to repeat their successes, cheap welders are erratic, and hamper the learning curve.