buy the harbor freight machine and run like small diameter flux core wire,.020. or .030 is the largest i'd go with on that welder (go to the welding shop to buy ur wire, stay away from HF wire) +u don't need a regulator or tank, and flux core can be run outside when its windy..and dosent take much skill ...

-dont think 1/2 on a single pass is in his league yet if he dont know how to weld/set up the machine