I don't see anything wrong with buying an old Linc buzzbox for 100 bucks. That's what I learned on when it was 12 or 13... I would also suggest to ask to see it work before you make for home. The one I had was a 225 amp machine and it did everything I needed for a long time. Then... down the road, if you get good at it, and you need more welder, then go buy another welder. You'll probably still sell the linc for what you have into it.
Do get good gloves. You should get a welding jacket. Get a decent chipping hammer and wire brush. I liked the wide lense helmet. Makes it easier to see and you can pick them up for 30-50 bucks.
If you've got a good deep scrap pile, buy a box of 1/8" 6011 rods and practice running beads until you get good at it. I hate 6011's. I rarely ever use them because of spatter... but they have 2 features important to you. 1. They're cheaper than a 7018. 2. They work well on dirty, rusty unprepped metal... which is what you'll likely be using for practice. Also, when you learn to burn a 6011 well, anything else is easy...
Once you get onto that then start sticking stuff together. At that point you'll start to see the value in proper preperation and fitting. Clean bright metal is a must...
As others have suggested, learn to watch the puddle as you work rather than the arc. From that you will learn to set the amperage correctly to get a good size puddle... and then learn to control the puddle with the direction of the electrode. It would also be a good idea for you to pick up a text book on welding. If you go on Amazon you can find various different titles that would be of use... and then mabey scour E-bay to find one cheaper. Most are up in the 150-200 buck range. Then get reading.
Courses at a trade school CAN be a good thing. They can also be a waste of money... I'm sure you've heard the expression, 'Those who can, do. Those who can't.....teach' That's not always true. Probably most often not true... but I've had the experience. Sitting down and reading a good book, then learning to apply that will go a long way for what you want to do.
Then down the road you can get into Mig or gas welding. It's just that both are rather costly if you're just trying to learn.
Also beware of buying big old welders like the Dialarc or Idealarc. There's nothing wrong with them, and very nice old machines... BUT they also require a LARGE electrical service in your shop. Likely 100 amp at least. That may be something you don't really want to invest in....
The 225 Lincoln or 225 Miller ThunderBolt are both good little welders to learn with, and mabey keep.... and both are fairly cheap to get going.
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