just bought a welder

[k1rodeoboater]

I just purchased a Hobart Handler 140. I've wanted to learn how to weld for a while now, and since I have rust repair to do on my truck it made sense to buy one.

There's no way I'm gonna just jump head first into rust repair never having welded before in my life. What are some good projects I can do that would be small/easy, and ultimately something useful if at all possible. I was thinking about making a small rolling stool as my first project. I'm limited by tools. The only things I have to cut metal with are a hacksaw, dremel, or grinder. I'm literally working out of my truck and a friends garage, so buying a chop saw isn't really a smart move for me.

At the moment I don't have a tank, it'll be purchased/rented soon but I first want to research my options from the local welding supply places so I'm getting the best bang for my buck.

<ETA> I just called around to the two local gas companies. The one leases tanks, the other sells them, and neither does a tank exchange so it's your tank you buy and get refilled. Machine and Welding Supply Co (NC, SC, FL, GA only) was $195 for a 90cu ft tank and $25 to fill it. Airgas (nationwide) was $195 for a 90cu ft tank and $45.44 to fill it. I'm leaning more towards going with Airgas even though they're more expensive...being military I could have to move anywhere in the country, so the ability to get refills anywhere is kind of a big plus even though the cost is higher. IDK how hard it is to sell tanks, or what sort of depreciation they have to them.

How heavy is a 90cu ft tank full and how big are they, and what about a 40cu ft tank? The guy said you've got about 3hrs of arc time on that size tank, and he even said that a 90cu ft tank would be way more than enough for my uses. He said that a 40cu ft tank would be more along the lines of the size that's ideal for right now, but I'd out grow the tank once I have a garage and I'm not forced to be mobile.

I'd love to get a 4ft tall tank, but practicality dictates that I get something smaller and along the lines of what I call a "knee knocker" size. Once I'm done with my truck I'll be using the welder to fix the rust on my dad's Miata, and after that it'll probably be infrequently used....until I get another restoration project started which won't happen till I have a house (and that's probably 2 years out if not longer.)