how hard is it to weld?

[waxer]

I am sure every good welder became a better grinder at the same time when they were learning

heh yep. It comes with the territory.

I've produced some pretty ugly welds in my time... but it's actually recognizing it, fixing it, and fixing it properly is where you know when you're progressing.

 

[jdbwrx]

I more or less taught my self how to weld (friends took a class, read on internet, etc) but it definitely took some time to get OK at it. I wanted to do it, so I did a little research, and bought myself a Lincoln 100 from Home Depot, just the basic flux core set up. I've now built bumpers, my exo cage, and help friends with their stuff. (yes all still with the little welder that could)

Renting one for the day just to get a project done, with no experience, probabaly isn't the best way to start. It takes time to get the finesse part of it down, and like others have said, starting with a crucial part probabaly isn't the best way to go.

Do you have any 4 wheel clubs near you? I would bet there are lots of guys (fellow wheelers) that would be willing to help you out and do it for free, or at least for a few beers.

 

[turpehar]

it's nice if you have the time/money to take a class. I learned from reading and practice.

Anyone can teach themselves to weld if you take the time to read about what your doing.

I've been a certified welder for 20 years,,,, not uncommon. I would give my advice by saying that if you take a class at the community college, go ahead and spring for the
light duty wire feed welder. You can buy a 180 from Clarke, Hobart, or other for under $400. You'll know enough in a couple of classes to be able to use it.

To buy the correct welder for your use you need to know some things. Are you looking to make short welds, or long runs. Long runs require a welder capable of a quick duty cycle. I won't go into detail but most home welders have a duty cycle that may have you waiting impatiently between welds. I won't go into detail but a %20 duty cycle means that for every 2 minutes of welding you'll have to wait 10 minutes before welding again, otherwise the welder will over heat and go into protection mode until cool down.

Good luck,,,, you can do it:wave:

 

[tayman]

I'm taking a welding class at my local R.O.P. I'd say that mig is by far the easiest type of welding, and anyone can learn to do it. HOWEVER!!! I definately wouldn't reccommend trying to weld stuff to your rig without actually having some experience. I'd say take a class... there you'll be able to work on your own projects, and you'll learn something you'll use... ALOT!!!!!!! Not to mention you can ask the instructer if you're doing it wrong...:sunshine:

 

[Root Moose]

x2

Oxy-Ace is great for learning what a weld is supposed to look like and to build correct skills.

 

[Jump This]

Welding is easy!!! I mean, this guys has no problems!

Do everyone a favor, take a class or pay a professional before you attempt to weld.

Don't give me crap about my welding.....IT HELD DIDN'T IT???

 

[stewie]

i was stuck in a career field i hated- security. i desided to take a course in welding at a local trade school. i started off with oxy fuel welding and then to stick. family issues nessecitated a move out of state but i learned enough there that i changed vocations. i am now a certified welder using stick on plate steel. ive now gone one step further an i am in an appreticeship course through the local union studying pipefitting/pipe welding.

who knows, maybe some of you who are reading this and are wanting to take a class in welding may love it so much that you, like me, deside to change vocations.