wanting to learn how to weld

[hemipower0469]

Anyone have any advice on how to begin to learn to weld? Tools, books, anything to start up with etc.

 

[Ed_EOD]

youtube has a lot of videos you could check out

 

[flatheadguy]

Not knowing where you are located it is a bit diffuclt to give any solid advice. If you are near a major city with vocational schools or smaller colleges, they might offer evening welding classes. Maybe contact the various suppliers of equipment, gases and so on and ask what they recommend. Otherwise, you can always try to find someone who is a VERY good welder and ask what it would take to have him teach you. Oxy-Acet, MIG, TIG and arc are all different processes. I'd recommend starting with oxy-acet. The one important thing is to learn right the first time. Books and tapes are, in my opinion, not the best way to start, but probably can't hurt too much. Being taught, in person, is best. Having the ability to weld proficiently is something that anybody can learn and it's a skill to have no matter what you do for a living.

 

[willymakeit]

X2 on the vo-tech route.

 

[austin308]

Two things about learning to weld. 1 You need someone to show you the proper technique. 2. practice you have to practice like anything it takes practice to get good at it. Burn a few pounds of rods. Work on making good welds over and over. That in my humble opion is how to learn to weld. Books and video can help with techniquie but pracice makes perfect.

 

[deathbound]

community college, voc school, friends, books, videos. once you get the bug, you can't stop.

 

[kartracer55]

Vocational School. Don't go the self-taught route. Youll learn text-book safety, shorten the learning curve and break bad habits you'd otherwise develop. It's cheap too, I paid like 120 per semester.

 

[CitadelBlue]

In the 80's I took a night class at the local high school. It cost me $10 ...... so take a look at the local community papers where they provide classes schedules or go to the school and see if the shop teacher will provide 1 on 1 training .....

 

[Stuart in MN]

I took a night class at the local community college a few years back. One night a week for 10 or 12 weeks. It wasn't all that expensive (I think in the $120 range for the whole semester), and it was a lot of fun.

 

[Paumanok]

One more vote for some classes. I learned stick, MIG, TIG, Oxy-Acetylene cutting/brazing and using a plasma over 3 months, two 3hr classes a week. One of the best classes i ever took, and I felt the $1250 was very reasonable for the quality of the education - an expert teacher and nice newer Miller equipment

Even TIG welded some titanium and inconel one night

 

[Flathead Red]

Vocational School. Don't go the self-taught route. Youll learn text-book safety, shorten the learning curve and break bad habits you'd otherwise develop. It's cheap too, I paid like 120 per semester.

+2. I am self taught through books, video and trial & error. I have found a class here through the local community college that is a 40 hr mig and an 80 hr Tig class. I will be taking those to learn how to improve my techniqe.

FHR

 

[sicklyscott]

I am self-taught however I would not call any of my welds "good". I can basically get two pieces of metal to stick together, I know what it's supsoed to look/sound like via videos on youtube, but I just can't seem to mimmick it correctly. I will tell you that my learning style isn't one meant for a classroom, but I'll also tell you that I probably am missing quite a bit of knowledge by not taking a class.

With that said, I'd suggest a local class.

Can you give us some more information though on specifically what you want to do with your welding? Structural? Automotive bodywork? The ability to make a kick **** dust pan? Stick? Arc? Tig? Mig?

 

[Az Scooter]

I had someone give me a 15 minute tutorial, then let me burn some wire practicing. The more wire I burn, the better I get, at least, the welds are prettier. If I have a question about welding something, I wander over to the welding supply store, and start asking questions. Even though they are used to dealing with professionals, they love when someone comes in and asks basic questions.

 

[jimmydiesel]

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/index.html

 

[gsport]

self taught here and still learning... but one thing i do know is start off with a good welder, it makes a lot of difference

 

[MechEng]

Just a thought...

Chick out the Miller Welds website. There is a ton of information, and the guys on the boards are genuinely helpful (ok, some are just plain insane, but a good group all around).

I was self taught, then took a class in college about joining processes (welding and brazing). I believe that you get the best results from trying it out on your own, and then bringing specific questions with you to the class. SMAW, GMAW, GTAW (stick, wire, and TIG, respectively) all behave differently and have different capabilities. So, you might want read a little bit about each process before you invest the time and money into any particular method.

But, as has been said before, it's really about practice.

Oh, and the machine makes a big difference. Don't expect top quality welds from a bottom of the line machine and equipment.

HTH

 

[rsanter]

where are you?
if you are near me you can come by and I will show you some stuff

bob

 

[IONH]

I've been rocking a cheap 90 amp gas optioned mig welder from HF for a few years now. I've only gone through about 2 spools of wire now, the first having been flux cored. I have zero professional training but I have researched online quite a bit.

The biggest difference I noticed was when I switched from gasless to gas (argon/co2 mix) on mild steel. My welds when from spattering everywhere to being nice, solid and clean.

I am unclear as to why a Miller with similar specs would be any better aside from the brand name and the ability to actually dial in the voltage (instead of just a min/max toggle).

 

[rsanter]

I have used cheap MIGs and nice ones
the difference:
the nicer ones let you dial in the amperage fo better control of penetration and avoiding burn through.
also the feed systems are better (smoother, more consistant) which will give a nicer, smoother, more consistant weld
all equals a stronger weld

bob

 

[kerryt1]

http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/123/45/

 

[MechEng]

I've used Millermatics up to the 252's (I think it was a 252, all digital), and I've used a few no name MIGs. The biggest difference I saw was the feed. With some of the cheaper machines welding 1/4" material, you would occasionally feel the wire bouce off the bottom of the weld pool or start a spray arc transfer (that's where the wire burns back to the copper tip on the gun). The higher the amps/voltage, the more the brand names shine.

The other major difference was duty cycle. The no name machines may state the same duty cycles as the big boys, but I have yet to see them deliver on that claim.

It depends a lot on how much time you plan to spend with your welder too. The Miller TIG welder I bought uses a Weldcraft torch with fingertip amperage control and start/stop switch built into it. It's really nice not to have to turn around and change your amperage when your working. I do a lot of fab work with varying material thickness, so I really like that feature.

It's a lot like every other tool in the garage... it's what you're comfortable with.

 

[Brad54]

One more for the school suggestion. As said, you'll shorten your learning curve, but more importantly you'll have someone there to tell you why your welds are bad, what's bad with them, and how to correct it. You'll also learn things like how to weld different thicknesses of material together, etc.

-Brad

 

[MikesTTGt]

I purchased a welder and just went at it, After a ton of practice im finally confident in my welding abilities but surely im far from pro, Id still love to take some classes at some point to help with differnt techniques. I will say im on my second welder and a quality welder makes a big differnce IMO, my first one was a HF POS, once it broke I moved to a Lincoln and there was quite a differnce.

 

[wineslob]

I'll second, third, fourth, ect.... at least one semester of classes. I took welding in High School and a semester in College. One of the biggest things I learned is PREP of the metals to be welded, and tecnique, Once you learn those, it's just practice.

 

[DHH]

I've been teaching myself to mig weld for a few months now and would like to share what I have learned so far. Metal prep is very important, clean shiny metal is essential. The fixed shade helmet you usually get with a welder is a waste of time, I bought an inexpensive autodarkening model and that was a lot better, but now I'm about to get a Miller Performance model. I borrowed a friends and the #3 light shade made it so much easier to see where I was starting the bead. A perfect bead in the wrong spot is a drag. The flux cored wire is good outside when the wind will blow the gas away but the gas shielded welds are much cleaner. Like everyone says practice, practice. The Welders Bible at my local library was helpfull, and now I'm part way through "Performance Welding" also from the library. The best website I have found so far is http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ I have several friends who weld and have been very helpfull, but I have a long way to go. It's been a lot of fun learning a new skill.

 

[Bustedwheel]

I have been looking into this a lot lately. I live in the Boston Area, and the only one that I can really find is pretty pricey at about $2,000. I have found another few that are offered by Arts schools, and are generally categorized as "Sculpture Welding." or something like that. They all say that they teach the basics of welding, but I am unsure of whether the focus is going to be more on aesthetics than structural integrity.

 

[wineslob]

I have been looking into this a lot lately. I live in the Boston Area, and the only one that I can really find is pretty pricey at about $2,000. I have found another few that are offered by Arts schools, and are generally categorized as "Sculpture Welding." or something like that. They all say that they teach the basics of welding, but I am unsure of whether the focus is going to be more on aesthetics than structural integrity.

Community Colleges here offer classes (night) at a pretty reasonable cost.

 

[jordacheha]

miller has some useful resources including videos and downloadable handbooks....
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/

 

[Ozwelder]

I can comment on this as I have taught welding on and off for 30 years.I am an Aussie so what applies in my country will be different in yours.
You can go the college route if you have access to one and that is certainly recommended.
Many in my country don't have local college access due to problems signing up -numbers exceed places while other colleges cater for day students only.

A good welding teacher is one one not so much with paper qualifications but one who has a good length experience in the trade /industry and can communicate with people and understand what makes them tick, so to speak .
A good teacher learns as much from his students as they learn from him.

A good teacher watches and learns from his students observing and knowing that everyone has something to offer that others can benefit from.

Yes, it is possible to learn by yourself given you stick to the internet sites of the professional welding companies like Miller, Hobart and Lincoln.

Many of the people writing on the boards mean well, but you can end with some terribly misleading and unsafe info.I have come across instances of self taught people posting incorrect info from other sites for their own websites that were offering this welding information as gospel that in reality was just plain dangerous and stupid.

If you are interested you will learn.Its best to start with with what you want to learn and equip yourself with the most suitable welder to achieve whatever welding task it is that you want to learn.

Remember there is no best welder, rather there is one best suited to the tasks you want it to do and fall within the budget that you have.

If you are going to post to boards, give the readers the the most complete information that you can about what you want to do and achieve.

It enables the person giving the advice to gain a clear idea of what you intend to to do its so much easier for them to give you the details back to you on your specific enquiry.

The thing to look for on board replies is consensus of opinion as most people generally get it fairly right.

If you do get a machine and do some welds ,do not be afraid to to post some pics and ask opinions on your beads.Most blokes are only too happy to help and offer advice. I am quite happy to offer advice should you wish to post .
cheers

Oz

 

[DavidTK]

As others have said, don't teach yourself. Take a class so that someone can show you proper techniques, you can practice under their guidance, and you can learn what a good weld and bad weld look like. Plus, you will probably get to try all different types of welding and welding machines.

 

[beee85]

that's cool bro! welding is fun, i started going to a friends shop, and she teaches me how to tig weld stainless steel & regular steel.

and at night i watch youtube videos when i have time, and daydream about it all day..

eventually i want to go to a class and get my own machine.. *sighs*

 

[nuclearlemon]

eventually i want to go to a class and get my own machine.. *sighs*

if you get your own machine, the place you buy it from might teach you . in denver, if you buy a welder at general air supply, they will give a list of classes that are free to customers. i didn't take one, because i didn't have the time, but two friends taught me the three most important tips that i know
1- don't buy a cheap welder...you'll get frustrated and you won't weld, and if you don't weld, you don't learn.
2- prep prep prep. if your metal is clean, you'll be surprised at how nicely the welding will go
3- don't just hit it and go....watch for the weld to actually become a puddle and move the puddle. it will take a moment to become a "puddle"

mig 220's rock!

 

[sberry]

Remember, the wire speed IS the amperage. The differences in cheap machines vs good ones are in the internal components, choke design, etc. At some level you can only cheapen a unit so far before it effects performance. Power is another factor, 120V machines are inherently limited by the circuit they can be plugged in to (all machines really) but so much more with small units.

 

[sberry]

Welding machines are very competitive, brand names compete for how well it works, cheap ones only compete on price. The 240 ones are a bargain, almost twice the output for 25% more cost. Right now for steel the Hobart 187 is about the biggest bargain in its class.

 

[george4]

The 240 ones are a bargain, almost twice the output for 25% more cost. Right now for steel the Hobart 187 is about the biggest bargain in its class.

Roger that, I have put several rolls of wire through mine in the last couple of years both with and without gas. It comes with a Miller gun and it feeds smoothly. It has performed well in its power range and competes well with other machines, Millers and Lincolns, I used at a couple of local JC welding classes.

 

[strelnik]

X2 on the vo-tech route.

You are absolutely right that the vo-tech route is good. Years ago, I wrote diesel engine rebuilding manuals for a vo-tech school owned by Chrysler back in the early 1980s.

Now, if you want to learn basic welding, auto AC, AT rebuild or any other such specialty, all the schools here in Michigan require you to take about $ 1,300 worth of completely irrelevant classes, including English! I don't want an Associate's degree in welding, I want to learn to weld.

It's become a big-dollar business, instead of something to teach people a trade or a skill.

I'm hoping to find a high scool to learn this. I've done heavy duty arc welding, like for trailers and railcars, but I want to learn the subtle, delicate stuff you need to weld sheet metal on car (MIG) and maybe some cylinder head repair (TIG).

Haven't found a local solution yet.

 

[nuclearlemon]

Haven't found a local solution yet.

have you tried your local welding supply store? they can probably steer you in the right direction

 

[RetroJim55]

Well I can agree with most but not all . If you can't afford school and all you have is a small welder , you do the best you can with what you have . I learned to weld with a torch and coat hanger back in the late 60's and early 70's . Then I tried a stick and couldn't do it . So I haven't done any welding till last year . First I am on a fixed income so I can't afford very much . A good 220v welder starts at $800 and goes up very fast .
Anyway I bought a small Lincoln 100 HD to do sheet metal on a car . Works just fine . I am also teaching myself but I have read many books , watched many , many videos and ask more questions than I can think of . I am on a couple welding forms that help a lot also . You tube will also be very helpful if you stay away from the redneck assholes that are on there ! Just use your judgment when watching those videos . But nothing works better than getting the welder out and having fun welding ! Time is what make you weld better . I just wish there were some better places to buy a used welder from someone that is up-grading to a bigger one . Not everyone needs a big welder and I am one of them . Most of my welding is patch panels to repair rust on older cars . Most any 110v welder can do that . There are some decent house brand welders out there that will serve someone very well too . It really comes down to what you need a welder for and what you can afford . Just match you welder for the things you are going to be welding and ask question !
Now if someone has a 220v welder that they are not using or wants to sell , let me know .

Jim

 

[nuclearlemon]

jim, have you checked your local welding store. look for one that does rentals to companys. they often get used ones as trade in when someone upgrades, or after a set time replace rental units with newer ones and sell off the old ones, usually refurbished. general air in denver does that and you can get some great deals.

 

[beee85]

I want the miller maxstar 150, this is a tig welder, i haven't even tried mig welding, maybe i should, but all i can say is that tig welding can really be fun, its like stitching up metal..so at the end of the day, this is the tool that Im learning on, so i know how to use it and i can vouch for this one, also its very portable.

the miller maxstar goes for like 800-1200 used, and its well woth it for what i want to weld ( sheet metal, custom headers)

I also saw a hobart 165 tig welder, anyone ever used these?