First time welding

[kevinwak]

I all. I just purchased my first welder this week. A Lincoln MigPak 180. I haven't really ever welded except for once or twice in high school shop class. It has been something I have wanted to try for a long time, and I have a small list of projects that I am hoping I can tackle. I am working the weekend, but excited for Monday when I am able to try it out! I know there will be a steep learning curve for me at first. Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[Shield Arc]

I know there will be a steep learning curve for me at first.

Not really Mig is the easiest process to learn.
Start watching Jody's videos. Jody probably forgot more about welding than we'll ever learn.
https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks

 

[kevinwak]

Not really Mig is the easiest process to learn. Start watching Jody's videos. Jody probably forgot more about welding than we'll ever learn. https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks

Cool, thanks for the link. There are thousands of welding videos on you tube, and they appear to all have different techniques. Good to have one that is recommended, because I don't know enough to weed out who is giving good advice and who is giving bad.

I have been an avid woodworker since about six years old, even went to trade school for fine furniture making one year. Due to pursuing that background welding and metal work is something that is so foreign to me, and it has scared me to try for years. In everything I did woodworking I would use the equipment and make jigs to hold workpieces and tools, I did very very little freehand. I think I am worried because welding is mostly freehand.

 

[BigTruckMan]

Here are some helpful tricks. One is to keep a very slow speed .you want to move your wrist very slowing in a weaving motion, Also make sure that you have the right speed and amperage setting ,speed makes the most difference in all the types of welding. The manual that came with your welder should tell you the right speed/amperage settings . And make sure the metal that you are welding is clean, no paint , grease or oil . Another trick is to rest your left hand on something and use your right to do the welding. if you have any questions I'll be glad to answer them.

 

[troutsqueezer]

It's not rocket surgery but yes, it is fun.

 

[Shield Arc]

I have been an avid woodworker since about six years old, even went to trade school for fine furniture making one year. Due to pursuing that background welding and metal work is something that is so foreign to me, and it has scared me to try for years. In everything I did woodworking I would use the equipment and make jigs to hold workpieces and tools, I did very very little freehand. I think I am worried because welding is mostly freehand.

Oh trust me, working with steel is a he!! of a lot easier than working with wood.
Steel has no personality, you can make it do what ever you want.

 

[Mysfyt]

The welding teacher I had in high school encouraged us to play with the settings on the machines. Said that is the way you learn how to troubleshoot your own welds. Was the best teacher I ever had!

 

[Shield Arc]

The best way to learn how to weld:
Learn how to read the puddle.
Learn what it takes to make corrections to the puddle.
Do not depend on the gauges! Depend on your knowledge.

 

[k0ua]

Cool, thanks for the link. There are thousands of welding videos on you tube, and they appear to all have different techniques. Good to have one that is recommended, because I don't know enough to weed out who is giving good advice and who is giving bad.

I have been an avid woodworker since about six years old, even went to trade school for fine furniture making one year. Due to pursuing that background welding and metal work is something that is so foreign to me, and it has scared me to try for years. In everything I did woodworking I would use the equipment and make jigs to hold workpieces and tools, I did very very little freehand. I think I am worried because welding is mostly freehand.

Another vote for Jody's videos. I have learned quite a bit from that fella. Always good to go watch again for a refresher on some techniques.

 

[Big Barn]

Yet another vote for Jody. Totally knowledgeable and an easy to follow teacher.

Terry

 

[CNC Dan]

One more vote for Jody.

There are very few non-bad welding videos on YouTube, and his are outstanding. Both in good clear arc shots, and content of instruction.

 

[brown40]

I just picked up the Lincoln dual 180 last fall and it is a very easy machine to use, and I'm learning. The flux core was much easier to get a feel for, and the 240V is definitely better for tractor-related thicknesses. I still do not feel confident with the gas/MIG, and fortunately don't have a lot of call for delicate clean work. Jody's videos were a fantastic resource, and the results he gets are a thing of beauty, especially watching the TIG he does. The way I practiced was learning to write family names in steel first, then learning different butt and overlap and corner welds that you can attempt to tear apart afterwards, and cut in half to see how the penetration went. Getting a feel for the settings and machine, and seeing what fails, where and how, and burning through some thin stuff will get you familiar with the puddle. I'm a definite novice, but it is great fun to see your idea put into form, and more fun when it comes out similar to the way you'd hoped. Congratulations on another level of independence soon to come! Remember to switch the polarity for MIG vs. flux, that electricity cooks people, and watch the duty cycle.

 

[kevinwak]

Well, I got the welder unpacked. I then wired the outlet in the pole shed. Next was a trip to Canadian Tire to buy a bunch of accessories. I found a 70% off mig welder cart, how can I go wrong for $49. I just assembled the cart and out the welder on it! Looks great. I was in town and picked up a bottle of 75/25 mig gas! I think I am almost ready. Now if I can get an hour of free time I am going to give t a good try. All things leading up to this have been ten minutes here and there, and I a, wanting a good solid chunk of time to try it out. Pictures hopefully will follow tonight.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I enjoy Jody's videos as well as ChuckE2009

 

[Big Barn]

I enjoy Jody's videos as well as ChuckE2009

I dunno. Personally, ChuckE2009 annoys me.

But then I'm old and grumpy. Everything annoys me.

Terry

 

[Shield Arc]

I enjoy Jody's videos as well as ChuckE2009

I've known Lanse for years. It was a pleasure watching him grow into man, and a very accomplished welder.

 

[kevinwak]

Well, I tried er out last night. I first tried it with the flux core wire, as that is what I put in the machine when I set it up because I didn't think I would make it into town to buy gas. Man did my welds look oogly. After a while a realized I was holding the gun at a really bad angle, so then the side near me was getting way to hot and the far side, well it was just nasty. I then started holding it right and they improved right away.
Next step, I pulled that flux core wire out, and set the machine up for mig. Wow, that made a much much nicer looking weld with the same amount of effort.

This morning I am going to set on the deck with a coffee in the sun and re watch those YouTube videos that shield arc had linked. I went through them once already, but I think they will take hold more now that I tried the machine out.

 

[CNC Dan]

I dunno. Personally, ChuckE2009 annoys me.

But then I'm old and grumpy. Everything annoys me.

Terry

Your not the only one. Not that he's a bad welder, just don't like his videos as much as others.

 

[kevinwak]

Well, I tried er out last night. I first tried it with the flux core wire, as that is what I put in the machine when I set it up because I didn't think I would make it into town to buy gas. Man did my welds look oogly. After a while a realized I was holding the gun at a really bad angle, so then the side near me was getting way to hot and the far side, well it was just nasty. I then started holding it right and they improved right away. Next step, I pulled that flux core wire out, and set the machine up for mig. Wow, that made a much much nicer looking weld with the same amount of effort. This morning I am going to set on the deck with a coffee in the sun and re watch those YouTube videos that shield arc had linked. I went through them once already, but I think they will take hold more now that I tried the machine out.

ahhhh. Just realized that I forgot to switch the polarity when I switched from flux core to mig.....

 

[Big Barn]

There you go ....the benefits of morning coffee! . Have fun today.

Terry