First time (youth) welder project ideas

[Ohmthis]

Hi all, my son (8 years old) wants to learn how to weld. I am looking for ideas for some basic projects that will help keep his attention as well as help his skills. We will be mig welding and I have several fab tools to use if we need to cut, drill, heat, bend, you get the idea. Thanks guys and gals!

 

[Jason Lister]

Do him a tremendous favor and start with O/A welding. Small torch and small projects. He'll learn puddle manipulation and heat control.

O/A, Arc, MIG, TIG is a good path. I believe that MIG, especially gas shielded solid wire, can start some very bad habits quickly.

 

[txlch]

Maybe try something that ties into other interests he has. Bike ramp, sports equipment etc.

 

[gicts]

Howdy neighbor!

I just got a welder and have been playing with stands for cheap gongs I've gotten off ebay.

It's cheap and plenty of welding to be had. Let me know if you come across a good source for steel here!

 

[Ohmthis]

Howdy neighbor!

I just got a welder and have been playing with stands for cheap gongs I've gotten off ebay.

It's cheap and plenty of welding to be had. Let me know if you come across a good source for steel here!

Good to have you here! You'll enjoy your time, everyone is helpful and I promise you will learn something everyday. As far as steel here I shop at metal supermarket, (im pretty sure that's the name) it's off of fern valley headed away from Preston hwy. if there is anything I can help with just shout.

 

[AJ.]

How about some horse shoe art, non critical welds and you might be able to sell a few pieces to help fund the next project.

Cheers Andrew

 

[SuperCat]

AJ's idea is great. I was thinking along the same lines, something he can sell to finance the next project. Check out Google images using the phrase "metal garden artwork." Maybe he can make dragons or rocket ships, planes, cars, etc. depending on what his interests are.
You are a lucky Father, so many kids are not interested in creating projects in the garage. He must be a chip off the old block.

 

[Warrenator]

James F. Lincoln Foundation sells some already cut metal for projects, not expensive. There's a bird, an airplane, just weld them together. Also they sell many books.

I have seen laser cut metal on ebay for kits to make stuff like dice. I always thought that looked fun, should be more you-weld-it kits.

 

[great white tj]

Google... Horse Shoe Art and get some Ideas and have fun... Go to www.weldingweb.com they have a sticky just for horse shoe art. Lots of ideas out there.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Make "Monsters". Bugs, dragons, spiders, or pigs, dogs, cats etc. Start by YOU cutting out some ears, legs, claws, tails etc and let him weld them on to some pipe or other "body".

As you think his interest and patience grows, back the process up. You cut out the parts but he files/grinds/sands them. Then when that grows, back up further to HIM cutting the parts.

My first weld. Brand new China Mig in flux core mode.

Migasaurus monster named "Argon" -

Lump

 

[Lassen Forge]

Maybe try something that ties into other interests he has. Bike ramp, sports equipment etc.

Make "Monsters". Bugs, dragons, spiders, or pigs, dogs, cats etc. Start by YOU cutting out some ears, legs, claws, tails etc and let him weld them on to some pipe or other "body".

As you think his interest and patience grows, back the process up. You cut out the parts but he files/grinds/sands them. Then when that grows, back up further to HIM cutting the parts.

Both OUTSTANDING ideas. Also - Get him a good helmet that has a big port, auto dark, that fits, so he can see what he's doing, and gloves that fit. I'd also have him do the practice drills like we did in school - get him used to plasma and OA cutters (to cut up his own practice and working stock), then running smooth beads (puddle/penetration skills) to see how even they get (finishing with his name on a plate), **** and T welds and them put them in a press with a pressure gauge to get his skills up.

By the time he's in Jr. High, he'll not only be one of the cool kids, building karts and weight benches and fun stuff, he'll have a skill that only gets better... and may lead into further fun with Metal. And raising a stink to bring back metalshop classes - or getting to do metal classes at the local Community College...

Congrats - sounds like you're raising him right!!!

 

[WhiffySpark]

My kid wants to but he's only 6. I'm undecided I can't find a good kids sized helmet

 

[Ohmthis]

Well we were supposed to start this past weekend. He wanted to build a "robot", I told him that was little out of our ability right now. Anyways, we went around to find him some gloves to wear. Years ago I bought him some child sized mechanics type gloves. Yet when went there to get some they don't carry them anymore. Does anyone know where we can find children sized gloves? I'm going to search the interweb and see what I can find.

 

[sberry]

Mine wants to learn a little but told him he needs to wait till he is 10. The main reason is coordination. Finer motor skills. He is quite a fabricator already but it looks like Dr Seuss stuff yet. They play he'll with my screwed pipe fittings. Scatter the Genova bad. Turn them loose with a welder and will never be able to take it apart.

 

[R Wilson]

Hey Guys, That is a great idea to get him started as early as he shows interest. When I started it was with a stick welder, but I truly don't see any reason you couldn't start him with MIG.
I agree with the others. Start him just running beads. Once he can get a consistent bead, draw a line with soapstone and let him follow that. Once that is good let him spell his name with weld bead, or draw the robot he was wanting to make. That will give him a trophy to show off to all his friends and family.
Same thing goes with torch or plasma work when the time comes. Making strait cuts, following lines, then graduate up to his name.
As far a projects go,
bugs, cars, trucks, any thing that will keep his interest.
Great job for getting him started early.

 

[VWingman]

James F. Lincoln Foundation sells some already cut metal for projects, not expensive. There's a bird, an airplane, just weld them together. Also they sell many books.

Those are neat. I think I found a birthday present for my 7 then 8 year old.

 

[Ohmthis]

Mine wants to learn a little but told him he needs to wait till he is 10. The main reason is coordination. Finer motor skills. He is quite a fabricator already but it looks like Dr Seuss stuff yet. They play he'll with my screwed pipe fittings. Scatter the Genova bad. Turn them loose with a welder and will never be able to take it apart.

I completely get what you are saying. My boy has built a ton of stuff with 2x4's, plywood, screws, gorilla tape, and he even designed a trailer to pull behind his sisters Barbie jeep (that was a few years ago). I bent the tubing and did the welding for him on the trailer, but he had the design. If I had "wasted" "used" or "barrowed" the materials at his age my late step dad would have had my rear end. He builds tons of things with legos and he wants to build bigger things now. I want to teach him everything he wants to learn. I haven't pushed anything on him, but I do ask him to help me with jobs.
As for gloves, if anyone is looking for them for their children here is what I've found. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...ork+gloves&dpPl=1&dpID=41qdUv5LBrL&ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004...Y340_QL65&keywords=children+work+gloves&psc=1
These are just a couple that I've found so far. I hope to get something and get him in the shop. My plan is to put some syrup, ketchup, or other thicker liquid on a plate or piece of cardboard and have him use a straw or pencil and "move" the puddle around. See if he can get that while wearing gloves and a hood. Once he gets the basic idea, we will move to the shop where we will go over some safety. Then fire up the welder and with my hands over his, give him some "feel" of what's going on while I have him focus on the puddle. Then see how he does. I got to tell you, I'm excited!!!

 

[Thumper68]

I was just talking to my 15yo the robotics team at his school has decided to add a welding dept to the team next year, only thing is that they need kids who know how to weld, my son knows the basics of mig and can make things stick together.

Now he has asked that over the summer that I teach him a lot more, I told him that we can do that but he will be starting with O/A to learn puddle control then stick and when he can do that we will move on to tig.

I'm kinda excited, my other two older kids both can stick metal together but both of them prefer wood, kinda nice to finally have one who likes metal.

I know it can be a bit of a drag but there is no better way to learn than to chase beads on a flat plate to start, followed by lap joint and t joints in the flat.

 

[myredracer]

Hand him a MIG welder and get him to weld some 20 ga. sheet metal without distorting it... Tell him once he gets a grasp on that, you will let him graduate to thicker 1/8" stuff.

 

[matt_i]

I'd have him cut out a sheet of 1/4" or so, then write his name with a soapstone (etc), and then weld the letters onto the surface. Ideally done w mig, could be stick.

I think it would be a neat thing to look back on.

Variation would be a little "license plate" for his bike.

 

[MarkG]

When my 4 year wanted to learn to TIG weld titanium, I told him we'd wait till he was 6. (lol----jk)