Learning to weld - online resources?

[dmw16]

I'd very much like to learn to weld. Nothing professional but just hobbies level projects. Ive got a race car I'm building and I'd love to be able to fix little rust spots, make brackets, and so on. I'm not looking to build a roll cage or anything crazy.

I was looking at the Miller 141 which seems great for someone who's new to welding, but what are some ways to go about learning? Just trial and error? Anything online?

Our local community college only offers trade school type stuff...16 weeks during the day etc. Not really what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

I picked it up pretty effectively watching plenty of videos and just a few minutes with someone that knew what they were doing to help critique...from there it's just practice-practice-practice.

I'm not saying that I am a self-taught best welder in the world, but I have stuck stuff together just fine and worked it to where it should have broke. [Steering/Suspension components on a daily driver/weekend warrior Wrangler on 37s.]

 

[darwyn]

Weldingtipsandtricks on youtube is a good place to start. Around me there are places that offer short welding courses, but not colleges. Here is an example: Arc + Flame Center.

I found that class doing a google search for welding classes and putting city names on the end of the search. That one I got using 'welding classes rochester'. Google knows your general area, no need to be more specific.

 

[bullnerd]

Weldingtipsandtricks...Very good! Watch all his videos!

 

[MarkG]

As someone who's done both (classes and watched tons of vids, including the popular WT & T) I can say that there's no substitute for real, live instruction and classes, even if you are only interested in hobby-grade welding. Why not learn it RIGHT from the outset before you 'learn' to do things the wrong way on your own? A live instructor can watch you and give you feedback on the spot. A video can't.

At the first welding job I got, I was in such a habit if 'torch manipulation' doing the ever-popular 'cursive e's' that when I laid a bead, my mentor said 'cut out the zig-zags!' or something to that effect. Sure it makes a nice-looking weld, but to a manufacturer, it's a waste of time and material and can possibly cause a 'stress riser' at each ripple. They want a solid weld at the root, which you aren't really getting with the looping, e's, zig-zags, etc., not that those can't be strong welds.

I still will do it in my own work, just because like everyone else, I think it looks good and is almost expected from some customers.

 

[Tim37]

I'm tossing out another vote for weldingtipsandtricks.com his bids have helped me out a lot.

 

[dr_clyde]

No substitute for the real thing, but Jody at weldingtipsandtricks is pretty much considered the best as far as online resources for welding videos. Miller has a pretty good forum as well.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks guys! Very much appreciated.

Now just need to finish squirreling away the cash for the setup...

 

[gearhead1]

I bought an arc welder when I was 16 and started playing. You'll figure it out in no time, I'd say MIG is easier than arc. Millers are the best in my opinion. You can't go,wrong with a Miller. I have a Miller arc and a Miller MIG, great machines.

 

[DekeT]

I thought I taught myself how to weld before I actually took classes with an instructor and thorough inspection of my welds. I discovered I did not know **** about welding.

 

[BD1]

Miller has a heck of a rebate program in progress. Maybe consider the 211 with free spoolgun. Here, http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html

 

[kazlx]

IMO if you get a welder, you will be leagues ahead if you decide to take classes. Just knowing some of the basics will allow you to get that much more out of it if you decide to take a class. There is not substitute for 'doing' in welding, instruction or not.

And welding tips and tricks is the best online resource.

 

[ford33]

I second taking a welding class with an instructor who will immediately critique your technique so you don't develop bad habits. I know 16 weeks of day classes is difficult to do but perhaps you can talk to the instructor about arriving late and only taking the classes that are the most important to you. You are not looking for a grade from the class so no need to worry about attendance points or written tests. Of course, some instructors will not permit this approach.

I attended a community college welding course offered on Saturday mornings. I told the instructor I was only going to weld for a hobby. He thanked for that bit of information me but still held me to the same high standard as the other students in the class. He stressed the importance of proper heat penetration and cleaning and preparing parts prior to welding. He critiqued my welds as if his life was dependent on them holding. At first I was not happy but I learned and became a better welder because he taught me to be a better welder. He expected more from me than I expected of myself. When I weld now, I take my time and prepare the parts as I was taught. I critique my welds and ask myself if I would risk my family's well being or others with the level of craftsmanship I produced. If no, I re-do it.

I do not believe I could weld as proficiently by watching a video or reading a book. Welds may look deceptively nice but may not provide the strength necessary for the application.

 

[yaidunno]

Well said ford33.

To the OP, do not hold yourself to a lower standard just because you do not plan on making a career out of it. Get informed, prep the parts and critique your own work. Classes will be your best option.

In my opinion, the difference between a hobbyist and a professional is the ability to execute the operations at hand. Lack of knowledge should not be the determining factor. Even with the best education and the best equipment, it will take many hours of hands on practice to really perfect the skill.

 

[ilovevocs]

^^I audited the SMAW class at our local community college years ago. Most community collages will allow you to audit. Personally I didn't want it to have an impact on my GPA and didn't know how much time I would have to dedicate to the class. I taught myself to MIG and TIG weld. Would like to take a TIG class at the Lincoln school some day. That may be an option for you as well; don't know your location. You should consider adding it to your profile.

 

[aka Larry]

I attended a community college welding course offered on Saturday mornings.

I took a 16 week con-ed class one night per week at the local CC for $79 at it was worth 10X that. OP, you might want to check around and see if there is a course like that near you.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I started learning from my cousin who was the welding instructor at the local community college. Started stick when I was 12 and progressed from there. In high school, I was light years ahead of everyone else, including winning numerous awards at a vocational Olympics.

I even went through all the classes my cousin taught at community college, he was a tough teacher but one of the best welding instructor you could ever have.

See if your community college offers welding classes, and if their instructor really knows how to weld, not just some idiot that has a college degree. (My cousin never had a degree, but could out weld and knew more about welding, than those that did)

 

[zmotorsports]

I am 100% self-taught and it was a long, hard road. Spending all day in school is difficult once you are working and trying to earn a living so if I were you I would look at some night classes at the local community college to get some one on one instruction for at least the basics and then go home and practice.

Mike.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks for the additional input.

I will look for classes, perhaps thru a welding supply place locally rather than the con-ed route with the community college. The classes they offer at the community college just aren't the right fit for me. 8 hours a day for 16 weeks isn't going to work with a long commute, a 50-60 hour a week job, and a family.

I am certain I'll get a lot more out of working with an instructor or experienced welder than I will just self teaching. But I need whatever I do to work with the rest of my life since this is just a hobby.

There must be something out there, but if I have to start with youtube so be it

 

[jimgood]

I was in the same boat as you. I actually started off with oxy-acetylene welding then moved on to a wire feed welder set up with flux core. I learned from a couple of books and online videos. Nothing I've welded so far has fallen apart so...

Just stay away from structural stuff that lives depend on and you'll be fine.

Good luck! And have fun!

 

[dogdog]

practice practice, nothing better than OJT or doing projects and school. But I learned from watching these few videos, if you can find them some where some are also in youtube hidden some where...and youtube channels mentions above weldingtipsandtricks etc.

These few DVD videos if you can find them or rent them are very valuable, welding terms are well defined if you pay attention.

Steve Bleile --> arc welding , mig welding, O/A gas welding series are very very good.

Ron Covell --> TIG Welding Basics (very good info, kinda of fast pace) , Advance Tig welding (advanced topics such as alum, copper welding etc) , and MIG welding made easy (this one is ok but still better than any others)

You can rent them from smartflix or buy them, but just go with these two authors, the most others are less than good.

 

[sberry]

Thi is well worth the effort and can really be more than a hobby. My world would come to a stop if it wasn't for welding, 2x or more the things a guy can do.
In the world of work allowed me to work in any trade as a journeyman.