advice for new welder

[muttspeak]

Hello from a newbie, Im looking for advice on learning to weld. I try to self teach whenever i can. Any tips on getting started would really help. A friend at work bought a mig unit from harbour frgt and likes it so far. Any and all thought are welcome.

Thanks

 

[sdkubota]

A stick arc welder is probably the most usefull and bullet proof welder capable of welding heavy steel. I have a TIG which is fantastic at welding thinner steel and can also stick weld. I believe I spent $1500 which to me was worth it. MIGs are fairly easy to operate and get satisfactory welds although labor intensive to change metal filler type and diameter and generally for lighter thicknesses of metal. If I could only have one it would be a stick welder AC/DC welder.

 

[Bladehauler]

Mig welding is by far the easiest to learn in my Opinion, Practice alot and check at your local comm. college for classes or better yet an experienced welder to look over you shoulder and guide you !! Scrap steel and have fun !!!!

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Mig welding is easier to learn, sure...but it also makes it much harder to learn the other disciplines of welding. Learning Stick first is invaluable...and learning to OxyAcetylene weld (not braze, but brazing is good to learn as well) first is even better.

 

[sdkubota]

Mig welding is easier to learn, sure...but it also makes it much harder to learn the other disciplines of welding. Learning Stick first is invaluable...and learning to OxyAcetylene weld (not braze, but brazing is good to learn as well) first is even better.

Absolutely! You need to learn about penetration, appropriate heat, and puddle development to get proficient at welding. A stick welder will allow you to learn these techniques well. I never learned to Oxy/Act weld...

 

[IslandTractor]

Mig welding is easier to learn, sure...but it also makes it much harder to learn the other disciplines of welding. Learning Stick first is invaluable...and learning to OxyAcetylene weld (not braze, but brazing is good to learn as well) first is even better.

X2. I started with MIG then stick then oxyfuel. It wasn't until the oxyfuel experience that I finally really learned to read a puddle and that helped me make better mig and stick welds. Almost anyone who is self taught with either mig or stick will tend to under penetrate because you get so impressed by the arc that you don't learn to look past the arc to the puddle.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Just a few thoughts...
I would like to have a mig but all we have ever had here on the farm is stick...
I was self taught but I recommend in taking a welding class at your local community college...
The cost is modest and they usually run those in the afternoons...
As far as getting started, a good used Lincoln tombstone can be had for $100 or so...
That will do the majority of what you will need done on the farm...

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Just a few thoughts...
I would like to have a mig but all we have ever had here on the farm is stick...
I was self taught but I recommend in taking a welding class at your local community college...
The cost is modest and they usually run those in the afternoons...
As far as getting started, a good used Lincoln tombstone can be had for $100 or so...
That will do the majority of what you will need done on the farm...

MIG is of limited use if you are outdoors and on a farm. You could use flux core, but then, I'd rather settle for stick if I have to use flux core. (my personal opinion, flux core is the choice for some). MIG is better suited for fabrication shops where the environment is controlled, and drafts are kept to a minimum. I use MIG outdoors, don't get me wrong, but it is a lot more costly to do so, when you crank that gas rate up to 30 cfh, rather than 15-20.

 

[undercut]

X2. I started with MIG then stick then oxyfuel. It wasn't until the oxyfuel experience that I finally really learned to read a puddle and that helped me make better mig and stick welds. Almost anyone who is self taught with either mig or stick will tend to under penetrate because you get so impressed by the arc that you don't learn to look past the arc to the puddle.

You are sooo right about being impressed by the arc. Pretty difficult to concentrate on identifying the puddle when you first start as there is so much going on - strike an arc, sparks flying, feed the rod, don't get it stuck, etc.

I found viewing videos really helpful because I can concentrate on identifying what the puddle looks like without all of the distractions. The following link is really good:

Stick Welding is Better Sometimes - welding-tv.com | welding-tv.com

Near the end, he records the video a bit darker and the arc doesn't stand out as much so you can see the shimmering puddle pretty clearly. It really helped me nail down what to look for and then my technique started to improve. Actually, his videos are really quite informative and entertaining.

 

[IslandTractor]

You are sooo right about being impressed by the arc. Pretty difficult to concentrate on identifying the puddle when you first start as there is so much going on - strike an arc, sparks flying, feed the rod, don't get it stuck, etc.

I found viewing videos really helpful because I can concentrate on identifying what the puddle looks like without all of the distractions. The following link is really good:

Stick Welding is Better Sometimes - welding-tv.com | welding-tv.com

Near the end, he records the video a bit darker and the arc doesn't stand out as much so you can see the shimmering puddle pretty clearly. It really helped me nail down what to look for and then my technique started to improve. Actually, his videos are really quite informative and entertaining.

I am certainly not an experienced welder but I have gotten to the point where once appropriate decisions have been made on prep and process (all possible to learn from books) that I think the real skill involved is not so much the manual dexterity or even the hand eye coordination but rather it is reading the puddle that separates the novice from the pro. That is why oxyfuel welding is so useful as a learning tool because there is no distracting arc and the slower melting time gives the novice a better opportunity to take in what is happening in different parts of the weld joint. It is like being able to first drive a car in a parking lot rather than on a superhighway. I think TIG is also easier than MIG or stick when learning to read the puddle. My instructor set me up TIG welding abutting plates without filler to learn and it was a great exercise too.

 

[stingray1]

X2. Almost anyone who is self taught with either mig or stick will tend to under penetrate because you get so impressed by the arc that you don't learn to look past the arc to the puddle.

I agree. Take a welding class.

 

[undercut]

I am certainly not an experienced welder but I have gotten to the point where once appropriate decisions have been made on prep and process (all possible to learn from books) that I think the real skill involved is not so much the manual dexterity or even the hand eye coordination but rather it is reading the puddle that separates the novice from the pro. That is why oxyfuel welding is so useful as a learning tool because there is no distracting arc and the slower melting time gives the novice a better opportunity to take in what is happening in different parts of the weld joint. It is like being able to first drive a car in a parking lot rather than on a superhighway. I think TIG is also easier than MIG or stick when learning to read the puddle. My instructor set me up TIG welding abutting plates without filler to learn and it was a great exercise too.

Jumping into TIG right away is an interesting thought. Another useful link I use is:

Down and Dirty Welding Tips | welding-tv.com

Watch the video right on the homepage. It's showing a TIG weld in progress. Don't look at the bright light of the arc but the fluid puddle moving around beneath it. Great videos on this page.

If you are able, take a course. If you want to self-teach, watch a lot of these videos to help you get a start.

 

[joshuabardwell]

The problem I had was I can't find anything local except a full-time (12-month, 5-days-a-week, 8-hours-a-day) program.

 

[IslandTractor]

The problem I had was I can't find anything local except a full-time (12-month, 5-days-a-week, 8-hours-a-day) program.

I took welding classes given at a local vocational high school as part of an evening community education program. Most of the "students" in my class were as old or older than the instructor. The instructor was moonlighting as a teacher and was far more experienced as a ironworker/welder than teacher. He would show us YouTube clips on theory but then really excelled with hands on demos or watching us and giving feedback. Great to have access to the full metal shop at the school too as I had never used big shears, brakes, ironworkers or bandsaws before. I might repeat the class sometime just to get to use all the equipment to build something.

 

[undercut]

I took welding classes given at a local vocational high school as part of an evening community education program. Most of the "students" in my class were as old or older than the instructor. The instructor was moonlighting as a teacher and was far more experienced as a ironworker/welder than teacher. He would show us YouTube clips on theory but then really excelled with hands on demos or watching us and giving feedback. Great to have access to the full metal shop at the school too as I had never used big shears, brakes, ironworkers or bandsaws before. I might repeat the class sometime just to get to use all the equipment to build something.

Best of all worlds if you have the opportunity like that. Instruction and access to metal working tools.

For those who cannot attend course (because of resources, time or money), I highly recommend viewing videos of professionals welding and looking at the close ups. Reading about it just doesn't cut it (although reading can certainly help other aspects). Man, if I didn't see those videos, I'd still be staring at the arc and sparks and thinking I was making progress.

 

[sdkubota]

I have a TIG and it is a wonderful welder capable of producing fantastic welds. However, TIG is for lighter gauge metals unless you have a water cooled torch. I often struggled with arc welding lighter gauge metals prior to getting my TIG and the TIG answers that call. The welder I have is also a Stick Arc welder for the heavier gauge stuff.

 

[IslandTractor]

Best of all worlds if you have the opportunity like that. Instruction and access to metal working tools.

For those who cannot attend course (because of resources, time or money), I highly recommend viewing videos of professionals welding and looking at the close ups. Reading about it just doesn't cut it (although reading can certainly help other aspects). Man, if I didn't see those videos, I'd still be staring at the arc and sparks and thinking I was making progress.

I like to watch videos too and find them quite useful to anticipate what I expect to see when striking an arc. The videos are often pretty thin on theory and prep however and those are quite important to understand if you expect to make a good weld. A beautiful puddle with the wrong prep or process or settings will not give you a good weld.

I've looked at and own a number of welding texts. The best by far for a beginner, especially someone trying to teach themselves, is " Welding: Principles and Applications" by Larry Jeffus. I have the Sixth Edition which may be slightly dated but for a noobie it makes no difference. New copies are expensive (?$80) but I found a used copy via Amazon. The part I like best besides the very clear explanations is that it lays out clear practice sessions with very specific and thorough instructions (including list of materials, setup etc). Probably more clear than any instructor could give you in a classroom, and they have photos and diagrams of what the finished result should and shouldn't look like. There must be 200 of these practice projects and each builds on the previously practiced skills in each chapter. Really a very well thought out textbook. Highly recommended as a text or reference for the hobby weldor.

 

[rcowan]

Take an oxy/acet course at your local community college.
Get the basics down then decide what you want.

RC

 

[wildcatblue]

Go on youtube!! there is a wealth of information on all types of welding.. Stick,mig,tig,oxy

 

[IslandTractor]

Go on youtube!! there is a wealth of information on all types of welding.. Stick,mig,tig,oxy

I would caution that there is also a "wealth" of very bad information and practices in the amateur welding videos too. Lots of Internet savvy nitwits with a brand new welder from HD making videos. Of course there are also excellent instructional videos too but be careful what you watch. Miller has an excellent website. Welding tips and tricks dot com is good too. None of them substitute for a good formal introduction via textbook and instructor though.