[QUOTE=Don Meyer]When Mig welding it is sometimes difficult for a beginner to know how much penetration one is getting for anything thicker than sheet.

This is very true. MIG is easy to do, but also easy to get wrong too. Trouble is you can have a weld that looks great, but doesn't have any real penetration. I have to go with the "save your money and get a 220 machine" crowd. Believe me, you'll be way happier in the end.

Mike