Welding

[TheAxeman]

I've always wanted to learn how to weld but haven't really figured out the best way to approach it. Should I just go out and buy a used welder and jump into it feet first and weld **** together until I get it right? If so, what should I look for in a welding outfit? I was just browsing the Miller site and gleaned some pretty good information off it but still not 100% sure of what type to get.

 

[Wolfhound]

I've got a Millermatic 175 Wire Feed that makes anyone look good with a bit of practice. Easy to read up and just start welding scrap till you get good. I took a welding school course (6 months, daily, GI Bill) in the '70s and recently wanted an easy to use welder, this fit the bill for me . . .

 

[vectervp1]

Have you tried looking at your local community college? I know one of the ones out here offers various welding classes, and I've been tempted to sign up for a class through them. I could make building a new fuel cell with baffles my final project!

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

What is your background?

Are you mechanically inclined?

Are you wanting to start a new hobby or is there something specific that you want to fabricate?

Are you familiar with the various types of welding?

Have you done any soldering or brazing?

There is a lot to learn. Oxyacetylene, MIG, TIG..

Are you prepared to spend a bunch of money on other equipment? Band saw, Grinder, protective gear, ...

Have you tried looking at your local community college? I know one of the ones out here offers various welding classes, and I've been tempted to sign up for a class through them. I could make building a new fuel cell with baffles my final project!

I agree with the advice to check out a trade school.

I strongly disagree that you should weld your own fuel cell!

 

[feejer222]

Take a course, as Joe says there are several different types of welding which are suited to different circumstances. You may get by self teaching but you need to know the reasons to use different equipment for different jobs. I have 3 different types of welding equipment, there are certain jobs that each will not do.

Not something you can learn from a book. Take some proper insturction.

MIG is probably the easiest to start on. Once you have mastered that its uphill.

Alluminium welding is especially difficult, making a fuel tank should be left to a specialist.

 

[GunMD]

Don't listen to them, Art. Make your own fuel cell in your garage. Fill it up with gasoline to check for leaks. If it leaks, start welding again until the leaks stop. I'm sure it won't blow up or anything like that. No worries.*

*I know that the intended recipient of this post won't try this, but just in case someone else does...It's a phuckin' joke. If you make your own fuel cell you might die. If you weld on it while it's dripping fuel you most certainly will explode. Don't be a dumb-ass especially with power tools smarter than you are. If you blow up your house don't come trying to sue me. That's my disclaimer.

 

[twowheelnut]

*I know that the intended recipient of this post won't try this, but just in case someone else does...It's a phuckin' joke. If you make your own fuel cell you might die. If you weld on it while it's dripping fuel you most certainly will explode. Don't be a dumb-ass especially with power tools smarter than you are. If you blow up your house don't come trying to sue me. That's my disclaimer.

Ahhh, so finally we learn the dumb thing you did in your garage, eh?

 

[Old Michael]

Don't listen to them, Art. Make your own fuel cell in your garage. Fill it up with gasoline to check for leaks. If it leaks, start welding again until the leaks stop. I'm sure it won't blow up or anything like that. No worries.*











*I know that the intended recipient of this post won't try this, but just in case someone else does...It's a phuckin' joke. If you make your own fuel cell you might die. If you weld on it while it's dripping fuel you most certainly will explode. Don't be a dumb-ass especially with power tools smarter than you are. If you blow up your house don't come trying to sue me. That's my disclaimer.

You left two inches of space between your advice and your disclaimer. You can therefore be held liable for any and all and..........................

Take a class at the community college. Always fun, especially if you're an old dude.

 

[madmike2]

Along with checking the trade shools and community colleges, you might ask at the Welding Supply Store. If you tell them you're a beginner they might have basic courses in the evenings at their establishment.

Oh yeah: Gasoline vapors+heat/open flame/sparks=[SIZE=12pt]BOOM[/SIZE]

Please make sure your life insurance is paid up....

 

[evil_henchman]

Stick welding is the cheapest and least complicated set up but it takes the most practice, as in potentially years to get really good. But some people have a natural talent and have it down right off the bat. I hate them. Wire feeds are more expensive and complicated but can be as easy as using a glue gun once you have a little practice. Asking about classes at the welding supply store is a great idea, look for business cards on their bulletin board while you're at it. You'll know from the first arc you strike if it's something you want to pursue and you can think about spending a semester at a tech school after that. Good luck with that fuel cell :lol:

 

[vectervp1]

Geez! Ya'll are so critical of my little fuel cell comment! I would like to get good enough to make my own cell some day, but I do realize that it would NOT be a good 'school project' when I'm just learning.

Although I think Gunny was expecting me to call him up and say something like "Hey come over this weekend, I'm gunna try sumthin and need yah ta hol'e mu beer!" :crazy: :focus:

 

[Grumpy]

Have you tried looking at your local community college? I know one of the ones out here offers various welding classes, and I've been tempted to sign up for a class through them. I could make building a new fuel cell with baffles my final project!

Gunny!

 

[madmike2]

Although I think Gunny was expecting me to call him up and say something like "Hey come over this weekend, I'm gunna try sumthin and need yah ta hol'e mu beer!" :crazy: :focus:

Yebbutt, Eye wanna noe who's is holdin' the video camera en tapin' the projeck when yew tells him,

"Hay, lookie, this orta bee gude!" :tease:

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Stick welding is the cheapest and least complicated set up but it takes the most practice, ...

How did I forget to list that one? Something I've always wanted to try is stick welding using two 12V automobile batteries. I read about it once in a 4Wheel & Off-road magazine about ten years ago. Sounds fun.

 

[v65]

*I know that the intended recipient of this post won't try this, but just in case someone else does...It's a phuckin' joke. If you make your own fuel cell you might die. If you weld on it while it's dripping fuel you most certainly will explode. Don't be a dumb-ass especially with power tools smarter than you are. If you blow up your house don't come trying to sue me. That's my disclaimer.

\begin hijack

Stepdad was working with a group that was cutting up old above ground gasoline tanks. They cleaned them about beforehand, but apparently it was good clean fun to come up behind the guy doing the cutting and give the tank a good whack. :lol:

\end hijack.

 

[garauld]

Here's my 2c worth. Buy a used AC/DC buzzbox welder (~$150) and play with stick welding first. Pick up some scrap 1/4" steel from the local junk dealer and weld it together using DC - it's easier. For ancillary equipment, you'll want an oxy/acet outfit, a 4" grinder, and a nice welding helmet to start. Now you can start building things around the house for the misses. If you get into doing lighter ga. stuff, you can then get into MIG (wire feed) welding. A MIG setup will be in the $700 range. To do aluminum, figure $1800 minimum for an AC/DC inverter unit.

Oh, and don't weld on used gas tanks with anything - this could be your house/garage as some idiot found out doing just that... Up in smoke...

 

[Fencer]

I started with a 220 stick welder and I am fair with it. I had an uncle show me the basics and I am self taught from there. I use it on my really thick stuff.

I then bought a Lincon 110 mig welder from Home depot approx $300. It is easier to use than a stick. If you are just going to play on projects around the house and work. The 110 from HD will be more than fine. It will do up to 3/16 inch weld. It is more portable than a 220 as well. I can take to a jobsite and work off a Gen easily. I have a BIG gen so I can use the 220 as well (I did before Bought the 110)

My recommendations. If you are just going to hobby it, no hurry to learn. you could get a good 110 for less than $400 and it will come with the basics you need to start. You can get a cheapy for $150 at Walmart even, but I reccomend agains those. Get one with a variable wire speed and temp control. I also recommend an Auto dark helmet. My trouble when I started was finding my start point, when I flick my lid, I would lose my mark, and make a pretty weld 1/4 inch from where it needed to be :blink: .Gloves are about $15 or so, get some good ones, it is molten metal close to your hands. Also get some good clamps/vise grips.

Helmets are like moto helmets $50 -$600 or so. I now use a $100 auto dark.

I can ship you a spare helmet I have if you like (if you clean off the dust, its good )

All in all you could set yourself up nicely for less than $600 and practice at home anytime. Also you could make the purchase a business write off. You need it to repair your equip, RIGHT....????

Practice is really what welding is about, just like riding, you have to get a feel for it.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welding is a proficiency. Dad taught us to weld as kids and my little brother now works as a welder doing BIG fuel tanks for $ and commercial art on the side.

The community college is a good idea and works. However, another resource is to look up some independant welders in the phone book and ask how much one of the guys would want to spend a couple of hours with you as a side-job. Once you find somebody that you're comfortable with, spend the first half hour just talking about what you're interested in and let him explain the numerous ways to get the job done. Then ask him to show you how to do basic gas (oxy-acetylene) or strike a basic arc. It really is best to start learning one on one. If you can run a good puddle with those, everything else is just adapting styles to different equipment and such. After the first hour or so your welding will turn out junk but you'll have a basic idea and know enough to seek what you want.

Start talking to your neighbors and you'll find somebody who has equipment they aren't using.

Have fun with it.

Bob

 

[painman]

Stick welding is the cheapest and least complicated set up but it takes the most practice, ...

How did I forget to list that one? Something I've always wanted to try is stick welding using two 12V automobile batteries. I read about it once in a 4Wheel & Off-road magazine about ten years ago. Sounds fun.

Yes it does work. Years ago when I was in the Diablo 4 Wheelers I use to carry an extra battery, welder's hood, wire brush, chipping hammer and some 1/8" welding rods in my C-J5. Used a set of jumper cables to act as stinger and ground. I welded on many pieces of damaged steel out in the boonies. Busted tie-rods, steering arms, shock mounts, radiator mounts, engine mounts, leaf springs, cracked sheet metal, etc. Lot's of fun. PM. <><