Teaching a New Welder - What Do You Wish You Had Been Shown?

[NUTTSGT]

A little late to the game but we started with stick welding in HS, not much other choices for us back then.

The one thing I can recommend is an auto-darkening helmet which is pretty much standard anymore. Why fight trying to flip a lid down while holding an electrode in place ? Just take that out of the equation for the beginner.

 

[pi_guy]

I’m inclined to agree with your instincts. If you got the vibes that they were just trying to save a few bucks it’s probably not worth the inevitable headaches. Those guys aren’t worth the trouble.

I’m slammed right now so I don’t have capacity to weld on a boat mast, but I appreciate the consideration.

I wasn't seriously offering you the job travel to NY would run the cost very high.
But my reasons for not doing it outside of just to save money.

Top of the list is a 30+ year old mast living in salt water is past it's lifespan.
The mast demonstrated it was done by failing.
Failed at the base they wanted to put a tube inside rivet and marine epoxy it.
Cleaning of the salt and corrosion completely is nearly impossible and the marine epoxy would add another fun element to it

 

[pi_guy]

I’m inclined to agree with your instincts. If you got the vibes that they were just trying to save a few bucks it’s probably not worth the inevitable headaches. Those guys aren’t worth the trouble.

I’m slammed right now so I don’t have capacity to weld on a boat mast, but I appreciate the consideration.

He was rejected by two other welding shops they did not want the responsibility.
One of those times it was best to say no.

 

[Wrench97]

A little late to the game but we started with stick welding in HS, not much other choices for us back then.

The one thing I can recommend is an auto-darkening helmet which is pretty much standard anymore. Why fight trying to flip a lid down while holding an electrode in place ? Just take that out of the equation for the beginner.

It took close to 2 years for me to stop jerking my head to flip the mask down after I got my first auto-darkening helmet at work
Of course I still had the flip down at home......

 

[htmdude57]

It took close to 2 years for me to stop jerking my head to flip the mask down after I got my first auto-darkening helmet at work
Of course I still had the flip down at home......

That's funny, but believable. With me, when I got my auto-dark, I couldn't strike off unless I would blink my eyes!

And pi-guy brings up a good point- what jobs to turn away. Someone once gave me advice- never weld someone's trailer hitch for them. What would you do if the hitch busts and they wreck their trailer? Don't weld any parts on the steering or suspension of a car or truck, etc.

 

[Wrench97]

That's funny, but believable. With me, when I got my auto-dark, I couldn't strike off unless I would blink my eyes!

And pi-guy brings up a good point- what jobs to turn away. Someone once gave me advice- never weld someone's trailer hitch for them. What would you do if the hitch busts and they wreck their trailer? Don't weld any parts on the steering or suspension of a car or truck, etc.

But I learned how to weld installing weld on spring hangers on semi trailers.......

 

[pi_guy]

That's funny, but believable. With me, when I got my auto-dark, I couldn't strike off unless I would blink my eyes!

And pi-guy brings up a good point- what jobs to turn away. Someone once gave me advice- never weld someone's trailer hitch for them. What would you do if the hitch busts and they wreck their trailer? Don't weld any parts on the steering or suspension of a car or truck, etc.

I have welded all those things including pickup suspension points but you must be in control and do it properly a new hitch to properly cleaned non rusted frame is not that hard. I fixed a hitch that they used to move boats always overloaded they swore they would replace it just needed to get these boats out 5 years ago. Braced it and welded it why change it it still works. It does take some experience to know when to bail. It also comes down to the equipment you use. You might make pretty welds with a HF welder but I wouldn't bet my reputation on one.
Built a few one car trailer into two car ones putting a 75K car over other 75k and travel 1000 miles over roads will test your welding.

 

[king nero]

For a "beginner " welder training, I would explain the two transfer modes (short circuit and spray), practice some examples using the optimal parameters for both transfer modes on suitable thickness plates (that would be 3 and 12 mm, or 1/8 and 1/2 plates), and cut a lot of macros.