How can I learn welding?

[WydRyd]

I'm interested in learning how to weld.

What advice can you experienced welders give me?

Can I simply buy a book and practise, or do you suggest perhaps attending a short course?

[klaucke]

Get a book, get a welder, and start out on some small projects where weld quality isn't that important. Make sure to have your angle grinder close at hand to clean up those messy, ugly welds you'll undoubtably make. Talk to some welders to learn their technique, but I think you'll find there's no substitute for experience.

[amity914]

Have a friend help you if possible, I taught my husband how to weld.

Hiedi

[IROC]

Originally posted by amity914
I taught my husband how to weld.

I can safely say that I have never heard that statement before! Good for you. I wish my wife could teach me how to weld.

Mike

[Tim Hancock]

I must admit, my wife taught me how to do "Show plane quality" aircraft fabric covering work. (She is also a better shot with her Ruger 44 magnum!)

I learn to do aircraft quality tig welding by practicing on scrap over about a two week period.

With any type of welding, proper penetration is what is what you need to learn how to recognize and obtain. Too little and the weld is just laying on top but not actually doing much. Too much means you melted a hole or possibly created a thin weak cross section.

No-one that I know who welds ever took a class, experience is the best teacher.

[928ram]

If your just looking to do home and auto stuff, a good MIG welder, a book, and a bit of practice will have you welding in no time; simplest to use and learn.

Over here many public school systems offer adult ed evening classes, and many small trade schools offer evening mini-courses, in both cases welding is usually offered; it's a good way to get some time on a variety of machines for little time and dollar outlay. Not a terrible way to spend a dozen or so nights if they offer something similar local to you.

A little off-topic: I had a buddy who used to enroll in the local tech school's auto-body night program just to use their spray booth, he'd have whatever project ready for paint at home; good way to get access to a pro paint booth for DIY'ers.

[legion]

I was going to sign up for a welding class at the local community college. I don't expect to get a lot of practice welding, but I do expect to at least learn the basics, and safety protocol, so that I can practice on my own.

[emcon5]

Originally posted by legion
I was going to sign up for a welding class at the local community college. I don't expect to get a lot of practice welding, but I do expect to at least learn the basics, and safety protocol, so that I can practice on my own.

I tried that, the only place I could find that even offered a welding class was an "adult education" place, which I guess was geared toward vocational skills for the unemployed. The only classes they offered were mid-morning (like 10AM IIRC) Monday through Friday.

I guess if you already have a job, they don't want your money.

Tom

[RickM]

Hi Merv,

I learned by viewing a video that came with the welder and reading a couple books on metallurgy and welding techniques. Then I started practicing with scrap steel. In an afternoon I was a petty decent welder.

There are many welders to choose from which can make selection a bit intimidating. Here are a few ideas/tips:

- MIG is a relatively inexpensive and versatile tool. You'll end up using more than you think.

- Invest in name brand welder. Getting parts down the road from an off brand manufacturer may be impossible.

- You may prefer going with a unit that uses 220 as opposed to 110. (Not sure what standard current/phase you use down under) You'll be able to weld thicker metal and run longer.....
- ......go with the highest amp/duty cycle that fits your budget.

- Go with gas not flux core. Flux is very messy with less precise welds.

- You can use straight Argon for most everything. You can go with a C02/Aron mix or you can use straight C02 (Less clean weld/lots of spatter).

- If you weld galvanized steel be aware that the fumes are very toxic. You should weld in a well ventilated area anyway.

- As the cost of the welder goes up the adjustability of the feed and current (heat) become more precise and flexible.

- You can weld aluminum but feeding the aluminum wire through the long feed tube up to the gun is typically unreliable. A gun feed/reel makes this more productive but more expensive.


Some related pelican threads:

Welding books

Any advice for a first time mig welder

[azasadny]

Check your local community college(s), ours has several welding classes available.

[amity914]

yep my wife taught me how to weld,but here is a link to tell you the basics. http://www.aussieweld.com.au/arcwelding/
she told me if i could stick weld good then any other welding will be easy. she is well versed in arc & gas,but try the link.very informational.
james

[1967 R50/2]

Take an adult school class at the local VoTech. That's what I did.

[stevepaa]

Just like Rick. I bought a welder so my son and I could improve his FJ40 for the Rubicon trail.
We used this.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_175/

[masraum]

THe community college here has welding as a course (actually several of different levels I think).

[WydRyd]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Much appreciated!

I guess my first step is to enrol in a short course at the local Uni to learn the basics and then invest in a decent MIG welder and practise, practise, PRACTISE!

I really just want to learn so I can modify and fabricate exhaust and charge air intake pipes for my car.

Never know where else it may come in handy around the house too

[Seahawk]

Very enjoyable thread with some great info. I learned to weld this weekend...or, better stated, I learned how to practise welding this weekend!
I simply got tired of imposing on a friend of mine who welds and decided to ask him to teach me the basics of stick welding.
It was a hoot...wish I had done it years ago!
Have fun.

[K. Roman]

Can anyone recommend a good MIG welder?
I'd like to order online today.
thanks.

[emcon5]

Originally posted by K. Roman
Can anyone recommend a good MIG welder?
I'd like to order online today.
thanks.

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=U1474-2

[88BlueTSiQuest]

I never welded before. But one day I bought a cheap stick welder from Lowes. After hours of trying, getting the stick stuck to the surface, I gave up. I finally bought a MIG welder, and I must say it really doesn't take any skill to get started. With practice the welds get better, and you finally start to make nice beads with good penetration. Practice also gives you the knowledge of what heat settings and wire speeds to use.

I'm sure a class would help out greatly, it'll probably help me too. But as I said, a MIG is almost point and click from the get-go. The skill in using a MIG is in learning how to make the welds looks good.

Spend the money on an auto-dimming helmet too. I found that using a conventional helmet, my hands would stray from the starting point, and at times I would weld a line up to 2" below where I wanted to weld. With the auto dim helmet, you can clearly see where you are with the helmet down, and when you squeeze the trigger, the helmet goes dark and your hands don't move from their starting place because of dropping the helmet.

[WydRyd]

Great tips guys! OK, I'm pumped to go out and get a decent, yet cheap, beginner's MIG Welder and start practicing

My first real project is to weld a -10AN (5/8") barbed fitting to my left hand chain housing cover, for an oil drain from my turbo

Don't stress tho! I'll practise on scrap metal first

Any recommendations for what spec MIG I should be looking at? Amperage, Gas/Gasless etc? Features etc?

Advice greatly appreciated!