Heh... you guys have caught me at 'pre-welder' stage. I have been looking at purchasing a welder, having grown up with a 'red-buzzbox' stick welder of my Grandpa's. But, as of yet, I haven't made the purchase. It seems as though, although I try to 'prepare', my ability to break things always remains one step ahead of my purchases.
I'll take it to a local welder and see what he says. If I already had a machine, you'd be looking at pics of the weld by now.
I keep thinking "I can pay X for it to be done or buy the machine and pay X+ for the short term, but have the machine for the long term." But I haven't gotten around to a welder yet. I'm hoping to take some time and take a local private welding class, which is available at a local welding supply/training store. I have been planning for a couple months... story of my life.