Getting started with welding

So, I've hit the point where I'd like to start welding.

Now, I have ZERO personal experience, and getting into local JC classes is nigh impossible (welding classes out here are always impacted, so to get in, you have to go, take a class, then HOPE you're early enough in the registration cycle for next semester to get in, and not just be on the mile-long waiting list).

My father is a competent self-taught stick welder, so I at least have seen what all goes into that, and I understand that there's a lot to rod choice based on the materials you're working with.

Checking CL, all the used welders were crazy expensive. Like almost a grand

So, how do you get a start on shaping metal with fire? I'd rather not get an HF welder, but they're certainly MUCH cheaper. Can I really accomplish anything of value if all I have access to is 110v sockets?

What's in the GRM "My first welding kit"?

First off, I suggest that you choose to get a MIG welder, not a stick. Yes, you can get flux core welders for cheap, but you will not be happy with your results. My opinion is to look for a used Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart 110vac unit. These are roughly 130 amp welders and will do a decent job up to 1/4" plate. There are other brands, but stay away from HF, Century, Home Depot cheepies. Durability is questionable, weld quality not so good, less adjustability. The gas feed makes a much cleaner weld with good penetration. I know somebody is going to chime in with their HF welder is just as good, but they aren't. Miller has good tutorials on the web, there are lots of books available to help. I've done a LOT of metal fab work, and enjoy it. A helmet with self-darkening will help a lot,too. Make sure you use the safety gear. I could go on and on, but this is a start. Have fun!! Chuck

My first welder was a Chicago Electric cheapie. Don't bother. By the time you add gas and the accessories you'd be farther ahead just buying a good one from the start.

http://www.harborfreight.com/135-ac-105-dc-amp-power-arc-welder-97719.html?utm_term=97719&tag=froogle

I have a Hobart 135 now, it does everything I need. Big stuff like welding a frame, I tack or bolt and then bring it to a real welder.

There's a welder for sale on a local VW site, similar to my Hobart and it's $100.

Define your needs and then look around. Try to spend an afternoon with someone that has a welder. Offer to buy wire or gas, maybe throw in lunch and then pick his brain. Bring scrap metal.

Dan

Oops.

Oh, I wasn't thinking about getting a stick welder, just throwing out that that's what I have the most exposure to.

An auto-darkening helmet makes learning a lot easier.

If you learn on a stick welder, you will be a better welder overall. If you do get a mig, learn to weld with higher heat, less wire speed and learn to control the puddle. Its easy to make a very pretty mig bead with no strength or penetration.

My 110V HF MIG welder was made in Italy, not China, and it does OK for me. The 110V power is handy as you can just take the welder, put flux wire in and plug it in anywhere, like out by the house, at a friend's place, etc. I used a 110V Hobart Handler once and it had nothing on my HF. But when I really want it to stick, I use my Miller 230 amp AC stick (SMAW) welder. That one sucks for sheet metal, though. Anything under about 1/8" is "challenging." Depending on what you want to weld, I would not rule out a stick welder.

+1 on the auto darkening helmet. The HF ones work well. That improved my welding ability tremendously over the old flip down when you're ready to strike kind. And get some good welding gloves at a welding supply store, not HF.

Go to the library and get some books on beginning welding. Go to the Lincoln and/or Miller web pages and download their PDF's on how to weld. Get a welder and practice.

In lieu of classes - having an experienced friend set up the machine for you and demonstrate a few joints will go a long way to alleviating your early frustrations. Once you see the objective executed correctly... you have to build the muscle memory to make a consistent run ... so get a big pile of scrap and a wound spring wire wheel to clean it all. Practice, practice, practice.

Make sure you cut every couple in half to make sure you are getting the penetration and not just drawing lines on top.

A friend just got a HF 110v MIG with the original spool of wire still in it for $65 off of Craigslist. He replaced the wire with Lincoln wire and it seems to work well. We used it to fix a timber hauling sleigh made of steel beams. He also welded a nissan p/u frame with it. I am planning to get one to keep at our hunting camp in northern MI.

This thread came up a while back, and there were some overwhelming conclusions:

Classes if at all possible, baring that (as pointed out):

Practice, practice, practice..

Used books stores are your friend. Go look.

MUST have book: "Performance Welding". Don't know the author, but I believe it's on Amazon. All chimed in it was excellent.

You can start with a smaller than bank-busting welder. If you're not going to do heavy/thick welding a lot, then tack the items together and bring to a Welder with all the equipment and experience. For example, building your first tube-frame/sub frame. Not something you want questionable welds on.

Good luck, I'll be doing the same this winter.

One thing no one added is that once you have a welder and start using it regularly it will top your list of "how the hell did I do anything before I had a welder" lists.

Seriously you will find it one of the most useful tools you own.

+1 on the 110mig and self darkening helmet suggestions too.

Chris Rummel

Another point to consider is that when people find out you can weld, you will be able to pay for your welder. Most folks think of it as a Pagan art, mysterious. Don't try to convince them otherwise. Anybody with a trailer will need you, lawn mower decks, wheelbarrows, lawn furniture, etc. Ornamental art work is fun, too. Lot's more than just car stuff.

Self darkening helmet is a great idea.

I don't like the idea of mig machines for beginners. I think you should learn to arc weld first, then move on from there. I only have a stick machine in my shop.

You cannot buy a good 110V mig machine cheap.

Good reference site.

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

Watch the how not to weld video

One of the first projects I'd like to tackle is making a wheel/pedal/seat stand for sim racing. Wouldn't an arc welder be way too much power for that?

Home Depot sells a lot of welders are Lincoln, by the way. Nothing wrong with those. They've got a 140 HD which includes the gas fittings and other accessories for $525, that's quite likely where I'd start if I was going to go 120v.

And watch yourself with the inexpensive auto-darkening helmets - I picked one up along with my welder from Home Depot that had a response time of about a quarter second. It was awful to use. I took it back and replaced it with a similarly priced one from Northern Tool, it's a night and day difference. I think this is the helmet, but they've changed the graphics since I got mine.

I can weld sheet metal (not that well), but weld exhaust tubing without issue. OTOH, as a beginner, you would struggle with it.

If you're only doing light, non structural stuff, a cheap mig (or flux core) machine should be fine.

Zomby woof wrote: Self darkening helmet is a great idea. I don't like the idea of mig machines for beginners. I think you should learn to arc weld first, then move on from there. I only have a stick machine in my shop.

+1 on Auto-darkening helmet. Once you have used one the ol' "get near it, nod and strike" thing will seem as archaic as eating rice with chop sticks when you have access to a good spoon.

I don't ever stick weld nor do I even own the hardware to do it if I wanted to... but I learned on one and it makes you have to do it correctly. After weeks of stick welding - running a MIG was child's play. The same angle and speed relationship that is essential to stick weld is correct for a MIG but the MIG will let you be sloppy and think you have a good result.

Shop around for a used one, if you're patient you should be able to find a name brand 120v unit with a tank for around $500

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/2126609977.html - lincoln pro-mig 140 with cart - $400 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/2119072818.html lincoln 180hd - $425

That 180 HD is the newest version of what I have for a great price - but it's 220v only.

Bah, now I'm trolling the local CL again for a MIG.

Guess that rocker panel on the wife's Cherokee isn't going to weld itself so I better do something about that.

Haven't welded for almost 20 years, let's hope I can still remember how to do it.

I took a class in JC to learn to stick weld and braze. The instructor felt that you have to learn the hard way before jumping to a MIG. I then self taught MIG and can stick two things together pretty well. I couldn't build a FIA approved cage...yet.

My little Hobart 110V is more than enough for personal use.

Just start screwing stuff up. You'll get it. The 115 welders are okay, but if you can swing a 220, the difference will be HUGE. Better welds, better durability, everything. All that said, I've been building a tube framed bugeye using nothing but a hobart 110 on the gas (consider the gas setup part of the deal. flux core is for sucks) and it looks great.

I had an old Eastwood 110 welder with the spot, rod and stitch ends. I used the rod for some real crude wrought iron furniture repairs, a friend used the spot gun on an old ford pu bed, and I never was able to get the stitch attachment to work like it was advertised. However I never really read the instructions fully or took the time to practice on scrap.

Now I have a Campbell Hausfield I bought at Wally mart for like 250 on sale with the gas bottle kit included. Haven't gotten a bottle yet and only used flux core wire.

Still haven't read the instructions fully or practiced and my welding is still crappy at best.

The moral to this is, buy the books and read them ( I have several but haven't gone further than looking at the pictures) buy something affordable to your means and practice, then once you're satisfied, upgrade, and sell your old one to someone else . And by all means get the self darkening helmet, that alone improved my welds by 100%.

BoxheadTim wrote: Bah, now I'm trolling the local CL again for a MIG. Guess that rocker panel on the wife's Cherokee isn't going to weld itself so I better do something about that. Haven't welded for almost 20 years, let's hope I can still remember how to do it.

Well, I've done Cherokee rockers, and your skill set better refresh quickly- They are thin thin thin.