learning to weld

[Widgetjeep]

I want to learn to weld, and well. Is there benefit from taking a course/class, or just buying a welder and fiddling around until I get it, which is my approach for most everything. Also, which welder? I wouldn't want to do anything too heavy; small sculptures, xj bumper, minor repairs. Anybody?

 

[600dollarxj]

I think a class would definitely help. My dad and I picked up a 250/125 AC/DC stick welder, and 3 books on welding. I read a lot before trying to use it and practiced for a couple days striking arcs and laying beads. After that I was able to get two pieces of metal to stick together, and when I would pound them apart it wasn't my weld that failed. I still would like to take a class though.

Check out www.weldingweb.com its a welding forum.

Stick is easy, and cheap. But not good for welding sheet metal. It also doesn't have the prettiest welds. But you can weld really thick stuff for a lot cheaper than MIG or TIG

I don't have a lot of experience with MIG or TIG, but its a little more expensive to buy into. Flux cored MIG (no gas) is cheaper, and can be used outside when its windy. Flux-core also welds thicker material, usually. Flux core produces welds similar to stick (I think), and gas MIG produces pretty welds once you know how to use it (I think)

The Formula SAE team at my school, and one of my buddies have $3000+ TIG machines that will weld anything and can be used as stick machines too. TIG can make beautiful welds, and I believe roll cages for most racing bodies must be TIG welded.

That's about all I know on the subject, and I'm can't guarantee that its all correct. My only regret with my setup is that my dad didn't get me welding when I was younger!

 

[Taylorxj88]

ok first off if you can find someone to give you some pointers about it and show you some tips then go for that.
if not, search for some videos on like youtube.com or something.
but for your first you want a mig welder, with or without oxy asedaline.
the gas is a sheilding gas and it makes for a better and stronger weld.

spend no more than like 150 bucks on your first welder.
and spend plenty of time practicing dont do one weld that you think looks good. and go and try and build a cage.
you need to learn about penetration

its not that hard to learn you just gotta know the basics....

hope that helps!!:us:

 

[Begster]

The Formula SAE team at my school, and one of my buddies have $3000+ TIG machines that will weld anything and can be used as stick machines too. TIG can make beautiful welds, and I believe roll cages for most racing bodies must be TIG welded.

I learned TIG on one of these machines down in our Baja SAE shop.

I love TIG. It gives you such beautiful looking welds and is fun. MIG is faster, but TIG is more of an art form.

 

[Brian_NJ]

I have welded quite a few things over the years from car frames to the pannels that hold back the hudson river. I learned from an old guy that had been doing it for years and took the time to teach me. I realy think this is the best way to learn if at all possible.

If that is not an option I say pick up a little lincoln and watch the video that comes with it and then get some scrap and go to town. I would start welding like metals (thicknesses) and then practice on different sizes, take your time and practice a lot. Welding nice beads is not something you can do once in a while it is a skill that you need to stay in practice with or you loose the touch.

Also it is not oxy that is used with Mig welding it is either C02 or an argon mix, oxy would be an explosive combination

 

[redXJlimited]

I picked up a Lincoln 135 mig last year because I wanted to learn how to weld. I didnt take any classes, just read a bunch of interent articles. Since then I've built a few things, and even welded on the jeep a few times. I'd say find an affordable mig, and just dive in.

Steamer98

 

[kj139]

Keep in mind that once you start welding, you will realize how easy it is and how much fun it is to fabricate your own stuff. With that in mind, you will want to get the biggest welder you can afford. I say this from experience.

I had a oxy-acetylene rig and an arc (stick) welder and got rid of both of them (mistake). I later bought a cheap 110 mig welder. It was great practice, but it wouldn't penetrate deep enough to trust with things like roll cages, tow points, etc. I finally broke down and bought a Linclon 180C. It is a 220 welder, but on the smaller end of the scale. It will do almost every job I want, and I can trust it on safety items (like the ones I mentioned above). I am now hoping to pick up cheap arc welder for the really big jobs and as soon as I can afford it, I will get into tig (no nicer welds, as you can really control the heat).

So, buy the most you can afford. Once you start, you will continue.

As for learning how...Read the manual and pick up a video. If you have any friends who can give you tips, watcfh them. Welding is mostly practice. If you run into any snags or just have questions, PM me and I'll try to help you out. It's not rocket science, but there are a lot of techniques that can make your work better.

Good Luck!

 

[kylewc]

i agree with kj139 buy the biggest one that you can afford once you start you will relize that it's not that hard and if you buy a little one than you will want a bigger one later and you just wasted your money on one that will not fit your needs. as far as learning watch the video's and go to a local fab shop and ask them if you can watch and get a few hints from them i learned from my dad that was a welding engineer for 45 years. you can look on craigslist and pick up used one for probably half the price. good luck

 

[Ramsey]

Go ahead and get a good 220v mig, expect to spend 5-700$ though for something decent. I read a lot online and then just got after it sticking scrap together, having someone to give you pointers, or a class, would be a big help in getting started.

 

[Bubba Dolphin]

Personally, as a machinist by trade, I am planning on taking some welding classes at the local JC. Sure, I could hop on the welders at work, and have the guys give me pointers, but I want to learn about penetration, the correct way to weld, and the theory behind welding. I've already spent time melting metal, it doesn't look pretty, but it works, and my welds haven't failed, but I need to know how to do it right.

YMMV, but that's my two dollars on the subject.

-Jon

 

[Ivan]

Personally, as a machinist by trade, I am planning on taking some welding classes at the local JC. Sure, I could hop on the welders at work, and have the guys give me pointers, but I want to learn about penetration, the correct way to weld, and the theory behind welding. I've already spent time melting metal, it doesn't look pretty, but it works, and my welds haven't failed, but I need to know how to do it right.

YMMV, but that's my two dollars on the subject.

-Jon

I too did the JC welding class route. The JC class really drove home the theories and principles behind welding in the various forms such as mig, stick, oxy-actelyene, tig; each inherently different in it's own right. It all really makes more sense now having taken that class. The text book used in class is an excellent resource that I know will come in handy for years to come....

Besides, I got to burn up lots of wire and rod for the cost of the class, which in comparison was really cheap....

 

[2stix]

I too did the JC welding class route. The JC class really drove home the theories and principles behind welding in the various forms such as mig, stick, oxy-actelyene, tig; each inherently different in it's own right. It all really makes more sense now having taken that class. The text book used in class is an excellent resource that I know will come in handy for years to come....

Besides, I got to burn up lots of wire and rod for the cost of the class, which in comparison was really cheap....

X2. also note that there are differant classes. for those just wanting to learn the basics there are cheaper classes.perfect for home welders/fabricators. professional welders need extremely extensive education on so many levels. structural welders will go through classes that you would say WTF about, but they need it to get the cert. temp of welding material, alloys, what temp to heat rods, mathmatics, the list goes on. just make sure you tell the instructor your intensions. he/she will then teach you what you NEED to know. i for one never took any classes, but i think it is very beneficial to take classes and get the principals of what exactly you are doing by welding. some of it is bonding two materials together, and some is melting two materials together. big differance. if you have the time and funds, take the class. you useually also get discounts on supplies, plus you will probably establish a good repore with your local welding supply store. discounts on gas, wire, rods, tips, tongsten, ect, ect will pay for your classes in the long run.

 

[fubar XJ]

What everyone said. Take an "intro to welding" class, pick up the best MIG machine you can afford, practice, practice, practice. It's not too difficult once you get the basics down.

 

[pataterchip]

As an aerospace welder of 14 years and now a welding inspector I think, there is some good advise for someone in your shoes being offered up in this thread, a few more ideas to consider,
Take a class BEFORE you buy a machine, while I agree that MIG is the best machine for the hobbiest, the other processes have alot to offer.
I strongly advise buying the best machine you can afford the first time out.
I suggest getting a 220V machine if possible rather than a 110V as almost all 110V machine have a hard time with material over 3/16" thick at best.
Make sure to read up on the different shielding gasses, and how they effect your welds (CO2, argon, helium) as if used properly can have a pronounced effect on the weld.
For home brew hard wire MIG I suggest a 75%Argon and 25%Co2 blend, Will be plenty hot and will keep your splatter down, = less grinding
For material 1/4" an over I suggest a dual shielded wire like E71T-1 which will have flux inside the wire and also requires shielding gas, it will yeild very pretty welds is much smoother and will give much better penitration.

Also remember that a good weld is easy on a part that is fitup and tacked well, measure twice cut once!:idea:

 

[2stix]

Also remember that a good weld is easy on a part that is fitup and tacked well, measure twice cut once!:idea:

a very good point. prep is key to almost any fabrication. a clean surface of mating materials will weld alot cleaner and better. measureing twice? thats a givin. dont want to get cought saying "i keep cutting and cutting and its still too short".

 

[Bent]

I opted for classes through an adult school program. I’ve been going one night a week for ~2 years. The cost of the class is cheap, a fraction of what I would have spent on rod, wire and gas. In addition it puts a wide variety of material and techniques at my disposal. I also like having a pro around to pick my work apart, especially the vertical and overhead stuff. An advantage of also learning to stick weld is that it can be used on the trail with a couple of batteries. Like everybody keeps saying, prep, prep, prep and practice, practice, practice.

 

[funvtec]

As an aerospace welder of 14 years and now a welding inspector I think, there is some good advise for someone in your shoes being offered up in this thread, a few more ideas to consider,
Take a class BEFORE you buy a machine, while I agree that MIG is the best machine for the hobbiest, the other processes have alot to offer.
I strongly advise buying the best machine you can afford the first time out.
I suggest getting a 220V machine if possible rather than a 110V as almost all 110V machine have a hard time with material over 3/16" thick at best.
Make sure to read up on the different shielding gasses, and how they effect your welds (CO2, argon, helium) as if used properly can have a pronounced effect on the weld.
For home brew hard wire MIG I suggest a 75%Argon and 25%Co2 blend, Will be plenty hot and will keep your splatter down, = less grinding
For material 1/4" an over I suggest a dual shielded wire like E71T-1 which will have flux inside the wire and also requires shielding gas, it will yeild very pretty welds is much smoother and will give much better penitration.

Also remember that a good weld is easy on a part that is fitup and tacked well, measure twice cut once!:idea:

this is good advise, i myself am a fitter/welder by trade and been state certified for a few years, i also suggest reading up on what are the best gasses to use. I can also suggest a little notebook to record your settings when starting off to help with remembering whet temp and wire speed settings work for what thicknesses.