Things to know in welding?

[MIGweldingTIG]

I am new to welding and would like to know what other things (such as engineering, electric, etc.) should I educate myself on? Basically, what other things - that involve welding but aren't necessarily welding - can I learn to have more knowledge when it comes to building something like a go-kart?

 

[rsanter]

You need to understand what the welding process does to the base metal. You need to learn about weld shrinkage and heat effected zone

Bob

 

[aka Larry]

Take a class at your local CC. There's no substitute for learning from a knowledgeable professional. After the class...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

 

[Zeke]

Layout. Carpenters make good metal fabricators, they just don't mind losing a 16th here and there.

Seriously, if you have something to weld it probably got cut at some point.

 

[Professur]

There are two types of people that own welders. Weldors, and people that think it's a metal hot glue gun. Learn the basic metallurgy. Learn what the arc is all about. Then, grab an old washing machine and chop it up into coupons and put it back together.

And clean, clean, clean.

 

[Jd34]

If you only learn one thing about welding, it is to learn SAFETY first! For example: it's not safe enough to wear just a welding helment... Put safety goggles on also.. The list goes on...

 

[mybuick6]

DONT CLEAN YOUR PARTS WITH BRAKECLEEN it makes a gas called pasgene and it will kill you in seconds.

 

[DekeT]

Google is your friend. Must be a dozen or so busy welding forums.

 

[brownbagg]

low hydrogen rods end with 5,6, or 8 number

 

[laser3kw]

it makes a gas called pasgene

(it's phosgene)
not all "brake cleaners" will do this. Only the ones with chlorinated compounds such as trichloroethylene. Many of the new "green" brake cleaners are nothing more than methanol, acetone and toluene.
BUT - you still must be safe and not expose aerosol cans to sparks. And even if the cleaner is not chlorinated it is still flammable.

 

[yaidunno]

As it has been said previously, metallurgy is a must. Practice good fabrication techniques that yield proper fitment of parts to be welded. A basic understanding of electrical circuits will help you better understand whats happening while you are welding.

 

[Spareparts]

Don't wear tennis shoes when welding

 

[Fifelaker]

What kind of a welder do you own? What do you want to weld? By all means take a class or two at CC. If you plan on doing much GTAW a class will help you immensely. Ask lots of questions and use all the time in the booth they will allow.
All of the classes I took we were taught most of the basic electric, metallurgy, safety aspects that you will need to get started.

 

[Techie1961]

I am also going to say metallurgy and to expand on this, try to understand the different metal alloys and how some are very weldable and some impossible to weld. It will save you a lot of grief.

 

[kerrynzl]

She's F***ed when a welder can't fix it

 

[BD1]

http://weldingweb.com/ This is a great place to start !

 

[Engine]

Take a class at your local CC. There's no substitute for learning from a knowledgeable professional. After the class...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

That's what I was thinking too. There is a lot of value in having someone who knows how to do it to watch you and answer your questions. Why learn everything the hard way when there is an easier way to get started?

Also, when you figure in the cost of all the consumables and the cost of electricity, etc. it doesn't cost much more to take a class for a semester at the local community college than it would if you were welding at home for 20 hours a week or so.

A class is a good way to keep you motivated and an easy way to meet some other people that have welding and fabrication interests. Who knows, you might even get some leads on a great new career. There are lots of positives going for it.

 

[Beaumont67]

This is how I learned to weld, 40 years ago...few years in high school shop class & 2 years at College.
a) Oxy/Acet brazing, fusion lap joints
b) Oxy/Acet welding **** joints, with steel filler (like a coat hanger)...went to "T" joints & welded pipe
c) use of Oxy/Acet cutting torch
d) thicker metal joints - stick welding AC, with 6011 or 6013 rod...stick welding DC, with 7018 rod
e) Tig weld aluminum joint, using filler rod

Hobby Equipment costs:
- Bought both A/O tanks new ("B" size) and Victor touch setup ($25 mint used) - all for $200 complete.
- After Mig welders got invented, a Miller 150 (220V) unit with gas bottle was purchased here, for auto body sheet metal work for $1500 - and $150 for an auto darkening helmet, sensors good enough for Tig.
- Purchased a Canox Sparkler AC-DC stick welder (mint used) for $300, with +100 ft. of quick lock cable
(on my wishful thinking list - nice Plasma cutter, new micro O/A torch & cheap Tig setup...lol)

^^^^ For a little over 2 grand, I have most of the main pieces of welding equipment, in my garage.
- learn what each method is used for, capability/limitations of each (and there is overlap)
- learn each welding technique, setup & develop hand/eye coordination...through much practice
- and learn the quality equipment brands (blue or red, always a good color choice / can't go wrong)

 

[plow]

Math and Geometry.

 

[rsanter]

After welding, the metal is hot
Don't touch it

Bob

 

[zkling]

Heat induced stress, which can lead to distortion. Heat treating processes.

 

[Ozwelder]

Basically, what other things - that involve welding but aren't necessarily welding - can I learn to have more knowledge when it comes to building something like a go-kart?

From thirty odd years of teaching welding.

Learning firstly the hazards of welding theres so much that can kill or injure you.

So many U tube experts show me that they don't know much at all,wearing inappropriate welding clothing and PPE or in some cases no PPE at all.

Clear safety glasses under ALL types of welding helmets. Its not impossible to strike an accidental arc while your shield is up, plus hot flux chipped off straight into your eyes. Ever had hot silicate residue from MIG scraped off your eyeball- friggin hurts.


Learning that for EACH application there is a best type of welding process to suit not trying to make one process fit all. This comes as a fitness for purpose thing. An exaggerated example would be - using a spot welder for Grand Canyon handrails.

Learn to understand shop drawings.It makes life sooo much easier.

best of luck mate!
Ozwelder

 

[bsaint]

Turn off your welding gas during the week if you plan to weld Sunday when no LWS stores are open!

 

[that-guy]

there is alot of information to take in when trying to weld for the first. one great place to start is www.weldingtipsandtricks.com

that guy is amazing at explaining what you should do and when you should do it in most welding scenerios

some quick things off the top of my head without reading anything else that people have said here. safety is #1, get yourself a good helmet and good gloves, as well as some clothes that both protect your skin, and won't catch on fire. exposed skin is suseptable to getting burned like you do when going outside on a hot sunny day with no shirt or sunscreen, but amplified by probably 1000% (yes, 3 0's) because you are dealing with extreme/instant heat within close range. and just as sun exposure can give you skin cancer, so can welding

learn your metals. you were vague on what you have or will be purchasing for a welder. mild steel is to be welded with mild wire, stainless to stainless and so forth when it comes to MIG welding. STAY AWAY FROM GALVINIZED, as welding it emits a gas that is extremely poisonous. same goes for cleaning your parts before welding. you want it as clean as possible, but you cant use Brake Clean, as it also emits a poisonous gas. you can still use things like Acetone or Citriclean, but make sure to go back over that with clean water to remove any of the film left behind

otherwise, just turn on the machine, get a bottle of 75%/25% gas and start playing with the settings to get some practice. make sure to get planty of seat time using scraps before attempting to weld whatever it is you plan on working on, because you will end up redoing your begining welds later as you progress in your welding skills

 

[laser3kw]

same goes for cleaning your parts before welding. you want it as clean as possible, but you cant use Brake Clean, as it also emits a poisonous gas

(it's phosgene)
not all "brake cleaners" will do this. Only the ones with chlorinated compounds such as trichloroethylene. Many of the new "green" brake cleaners are nothing more than methanol, acetone and toluene.
BUT - you still must be safe and not expose aerosol cans to sparks. And even if the cleaner is not chlorinated it is still flammable.

No . not all "Brake Clean" will do this.
Like the second quote states "Many of the new "green" brake cleaners are nothing more than methanol, acetone and toluene.".

you can still use things like Acetone or Citriclean, but make sure to go back over that with clean water to remove any of the film left behind

Using the "green type" would not generate the poison gas as the first quote states and has the same cleaning chemicals that the last quote states.

You must read the labels of ever product and understand their hazards. You can do as much harm not knowing and advising incorrectly.

 

[lametec]

After welding, the metal is hot
Don't touch it

Bob

Can't believe it took to post #20 for this!

Even after welding for years now, I still end up touching stuff while it's still hot at times.

So personally, the very first thing I tell people, is that just because it's not still glowing red doesn't mean it's not still hot!

 

[-->]

When you are using any kind of chemical, make sure you read the MSDS ( Material safety data sheet ) so you know better what you are dealing with.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Always have a (working) fire extinguisher near by when your going to weld something.
Check the area around where your going to weld so that flying molten metal won't ignite it. I.E. garbage cans full of paper and oily rags, gasoline containers,those pretty blankets you put on cars to keep the dust off....

 

[rsanter]

Can't believe it took to post #20 for this!

Even after welding for years now, I still end up touching stuff while it's still hot at times.

So personally, the very first thing I tell people, is that just because it's not still glowing red doesn't mean it's not still hot!

Nobody had said it so I figured I might as well be the one. I have been welding long enough that I have developed the tendency to hold my hand over the part for a sec before picking it up. Even after it has been sitting there a few min

Bob

 

[ZRX61]

Don't touch the red bits.....(also applies to BBQ's & hookers)

 

[Milton Shaw]

Spend 30 minutes cleaning or something in the shop after last welding to make sure that no sparks are going to ignite something later. Make sure you turn off gas cylinders and welders when through with them. Always measure twice cut once, set it up square and true and then look at it again and make sure the parts are in the right place before you make them non removable without destroying the part. (Welded up a bike rack with hitch pointing wrong direction)

 

[ZRX61]

(Welded up a bike rack with hitch pointing wrong direction)

Install a front mounted hitch, problem solved

 

[CJCar]

STAY AWAY FROM GALVINIZED, as welding it emits a gas that is extremely poisonous.

Could someone explain this to me?

I've heard it repeated several times but never with any backing info. I was always under the impression that galvanized coating is zinc, which of course isn't healthy to inhale in quantity, but far from poisonous.

 

[plow]

Can't believe it took to post #20 for this!

Even after welding for years now, I still end up touching stuff while it's still hot at times.

So personally, the very first thing I tell people, is that just because it's not still glowing red doesn't mean it's not still hot!

Nobody ever REALLY learns this tho.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Welding galvanized metal produces poison gas.

 

[Murphy4570]

learn your metals. you were vague on what you have or will be purchasing for a welder. mild steel is to be welded with mild wire, stainless to stainless and so forth when it comes to MIG welding. STAY AWAY FROM GALVINIZED, as welding it emits a gas that is extremely poisonous. same goes for cleaning your parts before welding. you want it as clean as possible, but you cant use Brake Clean, as it also emits a poisonous gas. you can still use things like Acetone or Citriclean, but make sure to go back over that with clean water to remove any of the film left behind

WAT.


You can weld some grades of stainless with regular mild steel wire, and you can weld regular steel with stainless wire. I used to do just that for years on automotive exhaust systems. Just know what grade stainless you are working with, as not all of them can be welded. The common ones usually can, however.

 

[kerrynzl]

STAY AWAY FROM GALVINIZED, as welding it emits a gas that is extremely poisonous.

Absolute urban myth.

The temperatures of the arc flame, combined with air and zinc will create "zinc oxide"
The very same **** that is used directly on your skin as sunblock.

Breathing it will cause nausea until you build up a tolerance .

Just like drinking sea water will make you sick, but it isn't poisonous.

 

[Ozwelder]

Absolute urban myth.

The temperatures of the arc flame, combined with air and zinc will create "zinc oxide"
The very same **** that is used directly on your skin as sunblock.

Breathing it will cause nausea until you build up a tolerance .

Just like drinking sea water will make you sick, but it isn't poisonous.

The gas may not be toxic but has been fatal to asthmatics and people with breathing problems. Go here
http://www.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-25.pdf
to see what the American Welding Society says about it.
Because you can put it on your skin does not mean it is good for you to inhale it or any other welding generated fume,for that matter.

Maganism is another term related to welding you may wish to look up.Those using maganese content electrodes will find it interesting reading.

Oz

 

[PCO6]

After welding, the metal is hot
Don't touch it

Bob

Good advice Bob. And don't throw it in water to cool it off!

 

[kraneman]

Invest in an auto darkening helmet, The Arc Flash has a tendency to cook your eyes the fist couple times your exposed to it