11 hours ago, ArcticFoxCJ said:

I feel like if I get it now, my skill level won't do it justice yet.

I think you will find it is just the opposite, sounds like you have already reached the limits of the Flux core capabilities, with a gas Mig you can weld a much wider range of metal thicknesses and gas Mig it is very predictable. If you get one just spend 10-15 min. playing around with welds on sheet metal and I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is to run a good bead or spot weld.

I have the smallest ESAB welder mig.. (with co2 10ltr./200bar.) (swedish company?) does it wonderfull!  hav'nt read the whole thing but one thing i want to say is: clean the spot that you want to weld very good.. i see a lot of people not cleaning well their welding spot.. place ( whatever..)

When i was welding a door edge.. and the use of a magnet to keep the sheet metal aligned..

Old speaker magnet comes in handy with weld work.

 

ESAB are very good welders yes ! But there are many good brands. An American one is Miller