How can I learn to MIG weld?

[cudacharlie]

Man, I know I'm like the last guy in the world without a MIG... what if all of a sudden I needed to weld a 6-foot spear onto the front of my car? What would I do then?

So I ask ye gurus of toolz: How in heck does a guy learn to weld MIG? I'm 42 and busy as heck, and it's for "hobbyist" auto resto, so I won't be going to Lincoln Academy or whatever....

I am just barely cautious enough that I haven't just grabbed one at Sears and brought it home hoping it comes with a manual and instructional DVD... :
...but I've been tempted.

Through my casual car club affiliations, I could probably find a fellow mopar-ite with a MIG who might throw an afternoon or two to show me around.... Or, I'd happily pay someone full shop rate to instruct me for an afternoon or three if that would get me started, so I can build my skillz making crooked grinder stands and lopsided welding tables ...

But if that would only be scratching the surface, and I'd be a long way away from being able to patch a trunk floor, for instance, then I may just leave it to the pros.

But it looks like FUN!

What do you think? Not to be messed with, or not a problem? Thanks!

 

[AdamMopar]

Not a problem buy one and start practicing, MIG is one of the easiest welding processes to learn in my opinion.

Just practice on scrap until you get it right.

Adam

 

[motorheadjohn]

Don't just buy one at Sears. If I remember right, they have lower-end machines in stock. Find someone who is knowledgable to help you make a purchase decision. 220v is nice, but you can do many auto-related project with just a 110v unit. What you should look for is a nice Miller, Lincoln or other name brand with infinite-adjustible wire speed and voltage (not "clicks" on the settings).

Learning to weld with MIG is not hard. I had taken a class in high school 25 years ago, so I gook a refresher at the local junior college. We did gas and stick welding in the class, but I bought a MIG with a friend's help and had no problems using right from the start.

 

[EdNJ]

Try a local county college or votech school. The one down my street had a 2 nights a week or Saturdays only courses.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would steer clear of a Cman welder as has already been stated. Stick with a Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart machine and I am sure you will not go wrong, steer clear of Century, I think they make sears stuff.

 

[kartracer55]

I would steer clear of a Cman welder as has already been stated. Stick with a Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart machine and I am sure you will not go wrong, steer clear of Century, I think they make sears stuff.

Lincoln owns century

 

[stioc]

Where are you in SoCal ? I can show you the basics to get you started if you're anywhere near me but I just moved to a new place and haven't tried to weld and see how the older wiring takes to my 20AMP welder. I'm in the OC btw.

I used to have a Miller 175 but I sold it since I moved to a rental without a 220v hookup. I now have a Hobart 140 and its adequate for car related stuff but of course not as powerful as the Miller 175. Hobart is owned by Miller so both are excellent quality. For a good MIG machine Miller 210 can't be beat for a single machine that'll serve the hobbyist and a small shop well for a long time. Its a bit pricey though.

Goodluck

 

[nova65ss]

I got a Campbell Hausfield a couple of years ago and practiced on stuff, after several tries I got the knack of it. As stated it really is pretty easy. Just don't buy one w/o a gas setup, and the only thing I don't like about mine is it doesn't have infinite heat settings. Only high1 high2 and low1 low 2. On the thin stuff it won't allow me to turn the heat down enough to not blow holes in the material. I am also planning on taking a class at the tech school near my house, just so I will know that my welds are functional and not just pretty. Good luck,


Jimmy

 

[JCByrd24]

I agree with these guys, buy one and play with it... get a true MIG setup, with gas that is. Get a miller, lincoln, or hobart. I have a miller 175 and it'll do just about anything you want it to, runs on 220V. People have been really happy with the Hobart 180. I've found it to be one of my most useful tools. You'll always find little things you can use it for and its so much quicker/versatile then drilling and bolting.

 

[BoostAddiction]

Not to be a contrarian, but why not start with a TIG? You can get much better welds, weld anything, create no spatter, and be able to effectively weld aluminum, all of which you can't do with MIG.

MIG is popular because it welds fast and is easy to stick stuff together. But the best welding is always done with the TIG process- period.

-Will

 

[Bill K]

Good advice from all above. one thing I'll throw in. When you get ready to buy go to your local welding supply house and see what deals they have. You may pay a bit more than the box store but you will get a better machine. Plus lots of free advice and they are happy to help out a novice, and a new customer. Lot of time the customers hanging out are also eager to help offer guidance to a newbie. And if you use a gas set up you'll wind up going there anyhow to fii you tank
Bill.

 

[jeeperjoe]

I'd ditto the above mentioned as far as buying a brand name machine. However when it comes to buying the gas bottle if you can upsize it (refering to the small portable bottles). I have a **** Clark mig welder which runs on 110v (20a). I've done all kinds of projects with it and it works good up to about 1/4" material. Having to do it again I'd say don't buy a cheep machine.

I use a 110v machine at work as well as a 220v machine and for most projects (body sheetmetal exhaust, fabing small parts) the 110v machine works great.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Another vote for taking a night course at a local vo-tech. I did it a couple years ago and it was worth the money. It was only one night a week, so it wasn't that hard to fit into my schedule.

I agree with Bill, find a local welding supply house. They may or may not be more expensive than the big box store, but you're dealing with professionals and they can supply your gas, rods, gloves, etc. along with expert knowledge. It's always a good idea to support local businesses when you can anyway. They sometimes have used welders they've taken in on trade as well, you may find a good deal.

 

[byrdman]

Regardless of which route you take, none will be successful without PRACTICE. I say cut to the chase! You can always take a course later if need be. I wouldn't practice on trailer hitches or anything potentially life-threatening though. Do your research on which welder to buy, then get some scrap and start in. I had never welded anything in my life before last month. I practiced for only 10-15 minutes on scrap pieces before I began practicing on floor pans in my project car. Are my welds perfect? NO. Are they getting better? YEP! I've found MIG to be more a process of tuning your settings than anything.

 

[oldmxracer]

Hey Cuda
I will be watching this post with great interest! I have to be the worlds worst welder! Every once and a great while I might get a good looking weld.

Started with a little CH 110 stick, bought a Craftsman mig w/gas, oh I can make two things stick together (nothing real thin) but OMG My welds will look like $hit and does it ever make Me mad! Bought auto adjust helmet and it did help some but till I learn something else guess I need to buy some more wheels for My grinder.

 

[Snowman916]

I'm taking a class at the local JC right now, and I think that is the way to go. We have quite a bit of stick welding, and a bunch of MIG (which is so much easier than stick). I think that one could probably teach themselves to weld, but why not stack the cards in your favor. It is probably better not to learn any bad habits from the begining. As said before though...practice....practice....practice. If you just star welding scrap, how are you to know what you are doing wrong??

 

[z28toz06]

Check These Out

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial

 

[danski0224]

If you go the TIG route and want to do aluminum, you must get an AC machine. Slim pickings for a hobbyist level machine cost wise compared to MIG. Anything over 175 amps and you need to consider a water cooled setup. Takes plenty of amps to weld up some aluminum.

I have used the small 110v Big Box welders, the small 220v welders, the intermediate 220v welders and some nice pro power souces and digital wire feeders.

There is a difference.

If you want good and consistent welds, you need good equipment, no way around it.

For those that choose the 110v welders, you must have a dedicated 20A circuit with at least 14ga wire- 12 is better- for the best performance out of the machine. Don't even think about an extension cord unless it is 10ga.

Local community colleges may offer courses. They will teach the basics, but nothing compares to time under the hood.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

See if you can find a night class to learn the right way or do what I did. Get some scrap metal and pratice. Most Mig welders come with a video these days to help you

 

[motorheadjohn]

Started with a little CH 110 stick, bought a Craftsman mig w/gas, oh I can make two things stick together (nothing real thin) but OMG My welds will look like $hit and does it ever make Me mad! Bought auto adjust helmet and it did help some but till I learn something else guess I need to buy some more wheels for My grinder.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for general how-to or just a simple reference on technique and settings:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557882649/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[krooser]

Buy the welder...plug it in....squeeze the trigger...done!

 

[Thumper]

Sometimes ya just gotta get in there and burn some wire. I had to learn everything on my own and burned up more than my share of rods and wire doing it!

 

[blackjackbender]

im picked up a HH175, and have only ran 2lbs of flux core through the machine and i can do some decent welds. Used my teachers MM175 at school with gas and my welds where even better and cleaner. Im 17 too, just get one and run some wire through it and practice.

 

[Fast Orange]

Cuda-
If you've got some friends with MIGs,try theirs and let them get you started.MIG is the easiest process to learn,but it's best if you work with someone to show you the basics.
If you are looking to buy a MIG,get one that can use gas(true MIG-fluxcore is dirtier and not as pretty).With C-25 gas and some practice,you'll be able to do anything in the bodywork end of things,and depending on the machine you get,heavier fabricating will be possible.
For sheet metal work,set up for .023 wire.For over 1/8" material,go to .030 or .035 wire. As for aluminum,if you are working with material over about 1/8" thick,MIG will work OK-anything thinner,consider learning TIG.
There are many good books available on welding-most give oversite and general set-up info on most welding processes.
Good Luck-

George

 

[Goobzilla]

I've got a Hobart 180 and it's a great machine. At least that's what my certified welder friend told me when he did a frame repair for me on my 55 Ford. I haven't played with it that much yet honestly but it's on my to do list this year. I have found the Hobart board to be very helpful regardless of welder brand owned.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/

Ron

 

[mike944]

You might want to take that welding class prior to buying a machine. What you learn, may help you decide on a machine. Or you can ask the instructor for reccomendations.
________
buying vaporizer

 

[D-Cal]

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for general how-to or just a simple reference on technique and settings:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557882649/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I agree, excellent, top-notch book for a beginner. I got my copy at a Canadian Home Depot for $23.