Where to start with welding?

[vavet]

I’ve always been fascinated with welding. I’m had some familiarization with it in college and in the Army, but I’ve never become proficient. I can make two pieces of metal stick together, but I have far too much respect for the craft to call what I do welding.

I’m interesting it trying it more seriously. Part of the impetus behind doing this now is my 3000 lb utility trailer. It has some square tube that needs to be patched. I could take it to someone to have it repaired, but I’m thinking I could buy a used welder or maybe even a HF unit for what that would cost.

So where do I start? A Lincoln tombstone AC unit? A HF flux core unit?

Others?
Not looking to spend more than $200 here. If it’s more than that, I’ll just have the trailer repaired and put my welding aspirations on the back burner.

Other projects I might use a welder for beyond the trailer: automotive repair, general shop jigs and fixtures, don’t know what else. I’d imagine I’ll find uses for it.

 

[matt_i]

I'd see if you can find an AC/DC stick welder.

But the issue is greater than that, you're going to need a helment, gloves, sticks aren't exactly cheap, chipping hammer, wire brush, now you need an angle grinder, maybe a 4x6 bandsaw to cut parts to size, maybe you need some c-clamps...hopefully you get the idea. Just because you got the welder inside the $200 budget its probably $400-500 total before you're actually functional.

 

[Road Wrench]

If you don't already, start watching Jody on youtube. I think its weldingtipsandtricks is his channel.

 

[Angry welder]

I agree with Matt_i, the welder is only the beginning. However, I would stay away from the old tombstone welders. The new welders with a mosfit design, usually listed as multi process welders are way more friendly machines and can be had for a little more than what an old beat up tombstone would cost you. I would also add, if your starting out with welding stay with stick welding. The learning curve is a little sharper but its cheaper overall and once you figure out how to weld with stick then Mig and Tig will be a breeze to figure out.

 

[gamescastspencer]

If you could bump your base budget up I'd recommend a stick/Tig machine. I purchased a 160 amp unit from Amazon for around $250, DC only, but it is dual voltage, HF start, comes with type 17 torch and stinger. Start with stick and when funds allow get a cylinder and tungsten to learn Tig. I have already used up a 130cf cylinder in the process of restoring my 79 C10 (still have a lot more welding however) and am very happy with it. Very smooth arc and the high frequency start works good too.

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[Jbullfrog]

It's better in the long run to learn on a DC stick welder. DC gives you the option of deep penetration with + or lite penetration and heavier deposit with - polarity. The arc is more consistent with DC. Choosing the right rod is the biggest thing.

 

[bczygan]

I've bought welders, but soon realized they were useless without training.

Bill

 

[Wamsutta]

The best place to start is community college. That's where I started and quickly became addicted to it. I spent 60 hours a week in welding class. I was there so much, I became another piece of school furniture.

The most important thing in learning to weld is eliminating as many variables as you can. If I had started out on a buzz box, I would have quickly became discouraged. Buzz boxes don't have the stable arc of the high end expensive machines. The school had some of the best machines money could buy. I'm sure glad I didn't have to buy all my own machines to start with. Buzz boxes are fine as long as you can recognize their flaws. I wouldn't recommend learning on one. Arc stability is very important.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

What is the approximate cost of a welding class at a community college? This does sound like a good way to get started.

The best place to start is community college. That's where I started and quickly became addicted to it. I spent 60 hours a week in welding class. I was there so much, I became another piece of school furniture.

The most important thing in learning to weld is eliminating as many variables as you can. If I had started out on a buzz box, I would have quickly became discouraged. Buzz boxes don't have the stable arc of the high end expensive machines. The school had some of the best machines money could buy. I'm sure glad I didn't have to buy all my own machines to start with. Buzz boxes are fine as long as you can recognize their flaws. I wouldn't recommend learning on one. Arc stability is very important.

 

[Wamsutta]

What is the approximate cost of a welding class at a community college? This does sound like a good way to get started.

Right now it's a $236 enrollment fee plus $46 per unit.

So that's $236 + ($46 x 5) since it's a 5 unit class = $466 for 4 months.

Seems like it was 30 something per unit back when I was going.

 

[zendriver]

My brother taught me how to run a stick weld in about 15 minutes.

Was I good? No but I could run a weld and improved the more I did. Decades later I bought a wire welder and just work the controls and technique until I got it to weld.

Get an inexpensive wire welder and start welding. The Internet is full of information.

Schooling is great, and usually necessary for certification but as far as technique, you get good at welding by welding.


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[PMD1966]

Worked as a production welder for a while. Had to attend welding class for a week. First thing the instructor told us, "Trying to tell you how to weld, is like telling you how to have ***." I can tell you the basics, but you have to do it. Get some training, and then lots of practice.

 

[bczygan]

The thing that instruction gives you, is all the hints, tips and tricks to get better more quickly.

How can you correct yourself, if you don't know what you are doing wrong, or how to fix it?

Whether you watch YouTube videos, go to a formal school situation, or just find a mentor to tutor you, it really helps.

You can make bad welds that look good.

Nothing beats seat time with help from an experienced welder.

Bill

 

[jdlong]

I completely agree with getting educated at a tech school. Tuition is a bargain. Plus it takes practice, practice, practice to get there.

 

[Zewnten]

Do one of the weekend classes usually runs Saturday and Sunday about 6-8 hours each day for a couple hundred bucks and you'll know a bit about what you're doing and a bit about what you are looking for in a welder