Getting Back Into Welding

jaydee325 · Aug 31, 2021

Last time I struck an arc was at least 40 years ago. I'm retired now and would like to get back into it as a hobby. Planning on staying with stick as that is what I know.

Anyone been in the same position? What was your experience striking that first arc again? I'm hoping it's a lot like riding a bike in that you don't forget!

dirttoys · Aug 31, 2021

jaydee325 said:
Last time I struck an arc was at least 40 years ago. I'm retired now and would like to get back into it as a hobby. Planning on staying with stick as that is what I know.

Anyone been in the same position? What was your experience striking that first arc again? I'm hoping it's a lot like riding a bike in that you don't forget!

It was a little like riding a bike

My eyes aren't as good, but lots of light and cheater glasses help. Happy to report I am still as bad as I was in high school, I have gotten a little more patient, so probably a little better grinder..........

Best,

ed

Underdog57 · Aug 31, 2021

jaydee325 said:
Last time I struck an arc was at least 40 years ago. I'm retired now and would like to get back into it as a hobby. Planning on staying with stick as that is what I know.

Anyone been in the same position? What was your experience striking that first arc again? I'm hoping it's a lot like riding a bike in that you don't forget!

I too started stick welding after about a 40 year gap. Bought my tractor 8 years ago and bought a stick welder soon after.
I got a lot of great advice right here on TBN , especially from Shield Arc (RIP.....sure do miss him!) Also welding tips & tricks on YouTube is good. Get some scrap and start burning rod, you'll get it

WranglerX · Aug 31, 2021

Gave up stick about 15 years ago for MIG and never looked back.....

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Down and Dirty Welding tips and tricks , No PhD's allowed

weldingtipsandtricks.com

BravoXray · Aug 31, 2021

After I bought a Miller 211 MIG machine, my Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC macine just collected dust. A friend borrowed it a couple times when his buzz box died, but a year ago I sold it on CL. I have a Eastwood TIG 200 that will do stick welding if I would need a stick machine, but I don't see the need anytime soon.

Teachu2 · Sep 1, 2021

It's hard to beat AC/DC stick for versatility. I don't use mine often, but it's a real asset when I do. I own several welding machines - Mig, Tig, stick, and an engine-driven Bobcat 250. but I'm not a pro. I'm just a guy who likes to build and modify stuff. I also like having the right tools for the job. If I'm doing a lot of lighter-duty welds, I'll grab my MM210 Mig every time. For repair work on heavier steel, it's usually stick. In the field, it's almost always stick, but the Bobcat can power the MM210 if needed.

big bubba · Sep 1, 2021

OP: cool we can revisit a skill we've known in our youth. have you looked at equipment possibilities yet for your return to arc?

jaydee325 · Sep 1, 2021

big bubba said:
OP: cool we can revisit a skill we've known in our youth. have you looked at equipment possibilities yet for your return to arc?

I have been looking at equipment. A ways off from a purchase yet. The nice thing about the current equipment is that it has multiple options for expandability. I can work my stick skills back to the high standard I possessed (well, hopefully!), then I can buy the add-on's to delve into MIG or TIG.

TIG and welding aluminum always intrigued me, so this could be something I'd try down the road.

This is all going to start at a basic hobby level.

big bubba · Sep 1, 2021

good plan. lots out there for multiple options on a single machine. am sure you'll get useful responses
strictly arc here, well pleased with my Hobart upgrade from Lincoln tombstone. keep the forum informed along the way, best regards

Teachu2 · Sep 1, 2021

I recently bought a https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084PY4C5...=NUgU8&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_title to use as a dedicated Tig unit, but it also does stick. I'll never use it for stick, but it was the best-reviewed offshore brand I could find for Tig. Called and spoke with the importer. If you want one, get on the waiting list early - he sells out a shipment very quickly. Impressive machine, and will probably last me the rest of my life. NOT a lightweight, though - but fits on the better Harbor Freight Vulcan cart like it was made for it. 350 lb. Capacity Welding Cart

Locoweed · Sep 1, 2021

I enjoy learning something new, so a few years ago I bought one of the multipurpose machines so I could dabble with MIG. I think I have used stick a couple of times since I have had the new machine, but I could probably do with out stick welding altogether without much trouble.

MinnesotaEric · Sep 2, 2021

If you get back into it, consider looking for a used engine-based stick welder so you can bring the welder to the job, rather than the job to the welder. Just used an older Miller Blue Star yesterday to weld chain hooks on a bucket using 7018 rods.

dirttoys · Sep 2, 2021

MinnesotaEric said:
If you get back into it, consider looking for a used engine-based stick welder so you can bring the welder to the job, rather than the job to the welder. Just used an older Miller Blue Star yesterday to weld chain hooks on a bucket using 7018 rods.

Second this with a twist. I got back into welding because the best generator I could find for my needs was miller 300 that doubles as a welder.

Worked out great and doesn't sit for months at a time waiting for the lights to go out.

Best,

ed

Jchonline · Sep 29, 2021

I have been looking at this one for a combined welder/generator. It will be stick until I get bored or need something else. This will also double as a back up house generator. As I understand its almost the same as the Miller but $2000 less.

Champion® Elite Stick 225 Welder/Generator | HobartWelders

The heavy-duty, All-in-One welder/generator combines an 11,000-watt generator with a 225-amp DC welder. Designed for Stick welding with quick and easy arc starts. Let's start a project together.

www.hobartwelders.com

Teachu2 · Sep 29, 2021

Hobart Champion Elite 225 Welder 500562

Hobart® Champion™ Elite 225 Welder 500562The Hobart® Champion® Elite 225 welder is now more quiet than previous models, yet still packs up to 225 amps of DC welding output. The Champion Elite is an 11,000 watt AC generator and DC stick welder that can weld up to 1/2" steel in a single pass.The...

store.cyberweld.com

That's a great unit, and will do fine for most fabrication and repair tasks. I bought my Miller Bobcat 250 about twenty years ago, and looked hard at the Hobart at the time. I decided to buy the Miller, and never regretted it. Probably would have been just as happy with the Hobart for welding, but the generator on the Bobcat was cleaner output. I don't know if that's still true on current models.

Regardless of which one you get, buy an extra fuel pump. They're the weakest link, thanks to the ethanol in most gasoline. I get 3-5 years out of mine, then they fail. The cheap ones out of China seem to hold up about the same as the ones that cost 5x as much. Takes about ten minutes to swap one out, if you go slow and have one on hand.

BukitCase · Sep 29, 2021

About 10 years ago I stopped using the crap-ahol gas on everything but road machines - about a buck more a gallon, and I pay it GLEEFULLY, 'cause I know I'll probably NEVER have to replace a carb or fuel pump in my lifetime - only thing I don't use no-E gas in is tractors and backhoe, 'cause they'd EXPLODE if I did (Diesels tend to do that if you forget)

... Steve

etpm · Sep 29, 2021

jaydee325 said:
Last time I struck an arc was at least 40 years ago. I'm retired now and would like to get back into it as a hobby. Planning on staying with stick as that is what I know.

Anyone been in the same position? What was your experience striking that first arc again? I'm hoping it's a lot like riding a bike in that you don't forget!

I am proficient in stick, MIG, & TIG. I mostly TIG weld, next is MIG, and then way down the list is stick. That said, stick is the most versatile for the least money when it comes to welding iron alloys. And yes, you will pick it up fast. You can usually buy just a pound of rod for stick welding when there is some special need. Like welding cast iron or stainless steel. Your stainless stick welds won't be as pretty as TIG welds but will be way cheaper. One thing has changed greatly since you first welded. Hoods. You absolutely should buy an auto-darken hood. These days you can buy an excellent auto-darken hood, with the shade adjustable from what would be comparable to light sunglasses, so you can do work like grinding with your hood down, to the darkest of shades. And you get all this versatility, plus a larger viewing area than your old hood, plus being lighter than your old hood, for about $120.00. Tomorrow I will post the name of a great hood, the one I use most. I would do it now but my old brain can't remember the name of the company.
Eric

deereman75 · Sep 30, 2021

I'm going to be the one guy who doesn't like auto darks.... I've had probably 5 of them (miller/Lincoln, not even cheap ones) and they've all been nothing but trouble. Even the ones that didn't break were just a pain in the neck for what I do.
I would agree that for typically hobby use they are great. Welding things on a bench, ect

My issue is largely working on equipment in awkward places and blocking the sensors with pieces of the machine, hydraulic hoses, ect.

And then the constant running out of batteries when you are not at the shop, ect.

I finally went and bought a few of the old flip-down fibre metal pipeliner hoods, and keep a different shade lens in each one. A side benefit is I've found you have better clarity with a gold coated glass lens than with the auto dark filter.

Now a cheap flip down hood is going to be infuriating. And those fibremetal ones cost the same as or more than an autodark. But they are comfortable, and they work effortlessly and reliably. Once you get used to the slight nod before striking an arc it's really no less user friendly than an auto dark.

sea2summit · Sep 30, 2021

dirttoys said:
Second this with a twist. I got back into welding because the best generator I could find for my needs was miller 300 that doubles as a welder.

Worked out great and doesn't sit for months at a time waiting for the lights to go out.

Best,

ed

Exactly what I did, was looking for a generator and welder during the same time period. Found I could get a much bigger quality generator for the same money that doubled as a welder. It was a no brainer.

etpm · Sep 30, 2021

Locoweed said:
I enjoy learning something new, so a few years ago I bought one of the multipurpose machines so I could dabble with MIG. I think I have used stick a couple of times since I have had the new machine, but I could probably do with out stick welding altogether without much trouble.

Here is a link to some great welding hoods:

https://usaweld.com/collections/htp-america-auto-darkening-welding-helmets

These are the hoods I mentioned in my previous post.
Eric