A few months ago I purchased a new HTP200 from HTP. I found Jeff Noland (President of HTP) to be extremely knowledgeable, helpful and at all times, focused on my needs (not profit margin). Several of my friends (with many years at MIG/TIG and just as many brand names) all agree it is the smoothest welding MIG they've ever used (two are dumping their welders for a replacement HTP). I (we) found HTP's ratings (on thickness) to be quite conservative. HTP's pre-and-post sales support was exemplory and the product,... w/o equal. Since that purchase, I bought another (small TIG) welder from HTP and after a weekend of use, two more friends bought the same unit!. The HTP MIG200 feed system is outstanding... no-birdnesting, no binding, just easy-to-feed delivery (all metal gear drive) and the quality of construction and incredible range of output makes this a welder for life.
I'm not sure you'll need a 2400 (as Jeff recommended, the 200 is easily twice what I'll need) but whatever you buy, if it comes from HTP, it will be money well spent. On power, my HTP200 was doing classroom perfect welds on 3/16" steel (heavy roll cage project) at only 1/2 power.
A final suggestion, do not (as I originally did) compare other product's model numbers to HTP's... HTP's amperage rating is dead-on and the weld is sooo smooooth throughout the entire range. Try before you buy, if you don't, you'll never know what you are missing!
- An avid HTP fan, -Steve