$1000 budget, which mig welder???
if i had a grand to spend on a welding machine it would not be any of the new ,small,light duty crap.id look for a millermatic 200,an older one that has a copper transformer,or a linde L-TEC 225.both are great solid 220 machines.although you cannot get parts at just any store like the fisher/price welders,you can still order any thing you need for them.and dont by one of the crap auto darkening hoods.the optical quality sucks.get a standard hood with a 4"x5" lens.or if you really want an auto hood by a good one like a hornell speed glass.however your requirements may differ from mine because its a living for me.