Where or how to learn welding

[CISO1969]

OK , basically, I want to learn how to weld. I off road and as a result there are a lot of modifcations and fabrication that can come in handy, as well as frame reinforcement and repairs Plus if I ever get my dream rat rod projects started--I'm sure I'll need this skill.

I looked around online, checked vocational school websites and so forth, and basically couldn't find anything like a saturday 5 week course or similar training to get started.

I know how to solder and have common sense, but I don't want to just read how to weld and start doing it. I have a healthy respect for fire and fear of 3rd degree burns

So what do you guys suggest? How do I get started? TIG?MIG?Mixed gas?

I'm a complete neophyte noob to this topic.

Thanks,

Lee

 

[WILD-BILL]

Start by watching Jody's vids

His site....

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

 

[GarageEnvy]

I'm far from a pro but I've been in your shoes. I initially started with stick welding with my father. I went to mig and I'd recommend starting there. It's the easiest to learn. I found some evening adult education classes taught by a pro but check your local community college. They usually are a great source. Then practice, practice practice. When you think you've got it mastered come back here and look up ZTfab's welds and realize you've got a long way to go. At least that's my experience.

Also, when you're practicing, practice on a cart and a table for the shop or racks for the wall. Leave the frame boxing and repair for much later down the road. It's pretty easy to have a weld look great but not have any real penetration. Ask me how I know.

 

[Trey T]

For any DIY project, check with youtube first bc it's a very good source.

or http://www.powerblocktv.com/#

Trucks or Xtreme 4X4 shows welding how-to on several segment dedicated to it.

 

[Test Tech]

Try your local community college, that's where I got started.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Exactly. Local community college classes are cheap. And unlike YouTube videos, there's someone there to let you know when you're doing it wrong. Plus, free use of machines and consumables.

 

[chickenfarmer]

Like mig welding, oxy-acetylene is pretty easy to learn. Find a cheap one and play around, youll get it eventually

 

[jhn9840]

Like mig welding, oxy-acetylene is pretty easy to learn. Find a cheap one and play around, youll get it eventually

If you are totally new to welding start with O/A. The basics that you learn will apply to any other type of welding you may want to eventually try, doesn't matter if it is mig,tig or stick.

jhn9840
John

 

[TheRedBaron1]

Community College is the cheapest way to get quality instruction. You can also buy a cheapy welder and learn for yourself, but before you do any serious automotive fabrication work becareful, dont weld something yourself thats critical for the car until you get some real practice.

Stitchwelding a chassis is one thing, but making suspension arms might be a bad idea when you are just starting out.

 

[CISO1969]

... but making suspension arms might be a bad idea when you are just starting out.

AMEN lol

I've seen and experienced bad welds. Sometimes they look nice but never pierced or melted into the metal. I know what you guys mean.

I'll check the local community college and see what is offered. Hopefully I won't have to also sign up for "Ballroom Dancing" to maintain a balance and harmony in the home

Thanks guys,

Lee

 

[Zeke]

Like mig welding, oxy-acetylene is pretty easy to learn. Find a cheap one and play around, youll get it eventually

I don't know where you get that idea. It takes a full hour just to teach all the safety aspects of having oxy/fuel tanks. Do you know when 7 times the volume occurs on your acetylene tank when cutting and it's getting low? What pressure for what tip?

I think you need to know all that before you light up.

 

[kartracer55]

Your local community college definitely has courses available. If they offered them where I'm from in NJ, they DEFINITELY offer it wherever you are!

Don't go the self taught route. I'm sure a lot of your buddies in the 4x4 world will talk about what a great MIG weldor (YES, WELDOR, not welder) they are, but chances are they are mediocre at best and lack the theoretical background on it that you will pick up by taking a formal course.

Do yourself a favor and take a class first.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Another vote for CC. I just finished a stick class in Dec. In addition to not having to pay for supplies, I had someone there to tell me what I was doing right and wrong. There is no better way to learn than to have someone looking over your shoulder.

 

[beerdog]

Usually CC programs always start you with O/A welding since it teaches you the basic techniques and fundamentals.

 

[R-132 Fan]

You could try checking with one of the local metal studios that do custom fabrication of furniture and sculpture. Often the people who have those kinds of shops are certified weldors with some pretty good educations and are happy to give lessons when they aren't busy with customers projects.

 

[Hardcase]

Find some that knows how, pick up the stinger and say "show me how to do this" take the rod and scratch it on a piece of scrap worked for me a long time ago

 

[rsanter]

How about another member that is close to you

 

[555]

Community College, 2 nights per week for 6 weeks. Managed to get two part time jobs from the welding skills that I acquired there. Both of them could have easily turned into full time jobs, but I had already made a career decision and had 10 years invested.

 

[rickb801]

Another vote for Community College Classes.

 

[Hephaestus29]

I started going to Ivy Tech about 15 years ago for welding during the summer & it was pretty hot outside & inside too. I wear glasses & that was a big problem for me starting out & not having ever welded anything. I was nervous for one, & they put you in this little cubicle about 5'x5' with the welding equipment & you crammed in. You had to pull the safety curtain behind you cutting off more air. When I got started with the stick it stuck, & stuck & stuck & there was no one there to show me what I was doing wrong. The instructor told us before we got started that you had to pull or keep the stick a certain distance away from what you were welding so the whole time I was trying to strike an arc & pull it away too, needless to say it wasn't working. Sweat was pouring on to my glasses so I couldn't see _ _ _ _ so I said screw it & went & got 90% of my money back & learned from my friend. After I learned how to weld I thought about it & I don't believe the instructors method was the best for someone starting out. He also told us he wanted us to start by welding a circle, I thought why not a straight line ?
My friend helped me get started by watching what I was doing & would tell me to speed up or slow down etc. after that I got the hang of it pretty quick & have built and welded quite a few things. The gantry crane I built has probably been the most useful & satisfying project I made, I also converted an old school bus to a car hauler that I sold several years ago, sorry no pics. & several other projects. I would say to start have a friend help you & or watch some youtube videos & then go to school so you're not totally blind to what you're getting into & then you can get certified while you're there. To start out it was a waste of money & time for me, & I also didn't have the internet to look to for help either, but I wouldn't mind going back now.

 

[geologist]

O-A is a great place to start, especially since you can create a cut that rivals a plasma cutter once you get good with a torch. In my humble opinion, that's sort of a bonus in and of itself: the ability to do a bit of welding, and a bit of cutting, with a minimum of equipment and no pesky electricity to worry about.

Admittedly, I sucked at O-A when I first started doing it. I was fortunate that my Dad didn't have a fit with all the gasses I ran through in the beginning. My first task was brazing up a new foot peg on my dirtbike. It turned out pretty well, but my next task was working on a metal engine cover for some farm equipment. I managed to get it brazed up, but I warped it all to hell. Experience is one hell of a teacher that can't be replicated. Get a solid foundation from books and videos and then go from there. If you have someone willing to show you, take them up on it.

 

[BD1]

Here's a couple welding sites . Miller has some online videos and handy charts that may help. Some welders on these sites even had free get togethers to help new guys.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/

http://weldingweb.com/index.php

 

[CISO1969]

Guys. Thank you all for the awesome advice and guidance. I'll start off looking through some of the online stuff and look into a CC course too.

I'd like to reinforce some of my frame near a custom bumper and do some other fab work. This is all so very helpful.

Thanks,

Lee