The way I see it if you are going to spend a few hundred save the extra cash and spend the extra 1-2 hundred to get top quality, but thats just me I guess.

You could probably even find a used Miller/Lincoln welder for the same price as the new craftsman. Some Craftman stuff seems to be made in Japan and Craftsman is not known for any type of welders. Check E-bay, craigslist, and your local news paper. I bought a "used" Miller mig that was used for demos hundreds of dollars cheaper than the new price.