You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
New to Welding
- Thread starter kidcane
- Start date
Steevo
Well-known member
Millerwelds.com has lots of tutorials and videos for how to weld using various systems.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
The best recommendation I can make is to take a "Welding 101" class at a local community collage. You will get grounded in the basics, and that is invaluable.
Supergleep
Member
Lots of good info and knowledge here:
http://weldingweb.com/index.php
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/index.html
http://weldingweb.com/index.php
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/index.html
Zeke
Well-known member
Supergleep, welcome to the forum. Yes, those are 2 of the favorites.
AFA welding equipment goes, Jody on Tips and tricks will tell you to buy an older (they still make them new) Lincoln "Tombstone buzz box." This is a stick welder and used to weld thicker materials although I have welded 16 ga with one. They are simple and bullet proof. 220v and not too portable.
The most popular form of welding is MIG. Again, you can buy a lot of good stuff used, but there is more to look for, so bone up on this stuff before dropping coin.
Welding equipment is one of those things that really amounts to "you get what you pay for." IOW, don't buy cheap ****.
More on the Lincoln TS: Lots of old welders sold through places like Monkey Ward and made by Century and the like are just as good. Some you can get for 50 bucks. Ask to see it work... always.
AFA welding equipment goes, Jody on Tips and tricks will tell you to buy an older (they still make them new) Lincoln "Tombstone buzz box." This is a stick welder and used to weld thicker materials although I have welded 16 ga with one. They are simple and bullet proof. 220v and not too portable.
The most popular form of welding is MIG. Again, you can buy a lot of good stuff used, but there is more to look for, so bone up on this stuff before dropping coin.
Welding equipment is one of those things that really amounts to "you get what you pay for." IOW, don't buy cheap ****.
More on the Lincoln TS: Lots of old welders sold through places like Monkey Ward and made by Century and the like are just as good. Some you can get for 50 bucks. Ask to see it work... always.
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
Buy a good autodimming hood. It will make your learning experience much more enjoyable. Once you get used to one, a fixed lens is just aggravating.
So true....
evintho
Well-known member
Outlawmws has the best advice. Take a class at your local community college, that way you'll learn how to do it right! This is a skill you'll use for the rest of your life. Next, keep your eyes open on CL. There are tons of deals on good welders out there. The 110v units will allow you to weld sheet metal and fairly thin stock however, you'll tire of it quickly! Bite the bullet and get the biggest, baddest 220v MIG you can afford and don't look back.
I practice what I preach. In 2011 I took a 16 week course (1 night a week) at the local JC and learned how to do it right. Registration and supplies was like $100. Kept my eyes open on CL and found basically a brand new Hobart Ironman 220v w/150 cf tank and a bunch of accessories. All told around $2200 retail. Scored it for $700. I've welded body panels with it and currently I'm making a frame for my roadster. I love the welder and the class was a life investment!
I practice what I preach. In 2011 I took a 16 week course (1 night a week) at the local JC and learned how to do it right. Registration and supplies was like $100. Kept my eyes open on CL and found basically a brand new Hobart Ironman 220v w/150 cf tank and a bunch of accessories. All told around $2200 retail. Scored it for $700. I've welded body panels with it and currently I'm making a frame for my roadster. I love the welder and the class was a life investment!
definitely take a welding fundamentals class. they will walk you through everything.
a good course will cover all four welding processes. usually starting with oxy acetylene. its a great learning tool because you can go so slow with it and it helps you understand what is going on in that little puddle. then they go to stick, then mig, and finally tig. mig is by far the easiest, but that does not mean it is easy to make a good weld.
a good course will cover all four welding processes. usually starting with oxy acetylene. its a great learning tool because you can go so slow with it and it helps you understand what is going on in that little puddle. then they go to stick, then mig, and finally tig. mig is by far the easiest, but that does not mean it is easy to make a good weld.
Brian_B_
Well-known member
Take the class first!!! Do not invest money at home until you know if you enjoy it and get some experience. Then you can decide what you want\like\need for home.
Dad started teaching me young. I started arc welding when I was 9 years old.
Most of what I know was learned on the job though.
Dad started teaching me young. I started arc welding when I was 9 years old.
Most of what I know was learned on the job though.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I will also say take a class. My tech schooling did not cover welding. I have gotten basic pointers from different guys, bought a book and watched what the internet has to offer. I have welded enough that I produce decent welds, but I'm not perfect. They say with welding that it is harder to unlearn bad techquies then it is learn the right ones As for buying a welder, figure out what you want to do. Personally I would recommand a hobart 210 with mvp or a miller 211 with mvp, they can run on 110 or 220.
Thanks for all the quick replies guys. From the looks of it, my first step is finding a class in the area. Then work from there. I own a trash company and always have to get someone to do the welding work for dumpsters, etc. Maybe this way I can learn myself and do the work.
If any of you guys have a good idea on classes in the Lancaster, Pa area, let me know!
Thanks again...
If any of you guys have a good idea on classes in the Lancaster, Pa area, let me know!
Thanks again...
evintho
Well-known member
A quick internet search turned up this............
http://www.hacc.edu/AcademicDepartments/Technology/upload/Weldingweb.pdf
Obviously, you don't want to enroll in a 2 year program but they may have semester classes like the one I took. Call and find out!
http://www.hacc.edu/AcademicDepartments/Technology/upload/Weldingweb.pdf
Obviously, you don't want to enroll in a 2 year program but they may have semester classes like the one I took. Call and find out!