Here's a suggestion:
You need a welder, right? But you're on a tight budget? See if you can cut a deal with your parents. Tell them you really want/need a welder and to learn how to weld, and ask them if they would put up half the price of one - you pick up the other half. (Obviously, try getting one on sale, if possible.) Include the price of gloves and a good helmet/visor in the cost, as it's part of the welding set. Alternately, ask them if they would front you the money for a setup, and pay them back when you can (and make SURE you pay them back - shows responsibility and maturity on your part.)
For instance, Harbor Freight in my area (Tucson, AZ) is having a sale on the 90-amp Mig wire-feed fluxcore welders starting March 13-15. The welder is normally $149.99, but will be going down to $87.99 for the sale. That's close to half off normal price! Good heavy leather gloves were $15.00, and a good helmet ran me about $70.00 (auto-darkening in 1/20000th of a second - a good helmet is VERY important!). So, all told, I'm looking at maybe about $170-ish for a decent beginner welding rig. Half of that would be $85.00 - my share, while my parents would put up the other half. (Actually, I got even luckier than this - my dad told me, "You go pick up the welder and what you need, and send me the bill - I'll buy it for your birthday." What a cool dad!) Trust me, I'm on an even tighter budget with this economy ....
You have nothing to lose by asking. The worst they could say is "No," but you never know until you ask ........
