Thinking about giving it a try.

[chris85]

I would like to have the option to make small repairs when needed and would like to give welding a try. I have an option for a stick welder or a flux wire welder. What is the difference in each' application and is there one that would be better for a novice?

Suggestions? :confused2:

 

[Shield Arc]

If you're talking about gasless flux wire, depending on the wire you could look at it as rolled up 7018. Any wire feed will be easier to learn than Stick welding.

 

[gwdixon]

You'll hear this a hundred times over. Take a class at community college or continuing education.

You'll need it anyway to properly learn and might get a better idea of the best process for your projects.

 

[Haywire]

I tried to find a class, but everything was designed around getting your ticket. Couldn't find the high school shop class equivalent for adults.

Ian

 

[Sutol]

Buy a cheap stick welder and look on the interweb for hints and tips, videos etc.

It isn.t difficult, get some thick metal to parctice on and you will soon get the hang oif it.

you will also need an angle grinder to clean up the bits that you want to weld.

I'm no expert but my tips would be.

Only weld bare shiney metals together, no dirt, rust or paint on it

Use lowest power setting that will allow you to strike up the rod, dont be tempted to set it high and melt the work too soon. It will take a bit of practice to strike up he rod to start welding, bit like striking a match.

Watch videos on interweb over and over and read about it.

You will enjoy it when you get the hang of it and then get a mig for delicate jobs

Simples

 

[Sutol]

If you're talking about gasless flux wire, depending on the wire you could look at it as rolled up 7018. Any wire feed will be easier to learn than Stick welding.

I found stick welding easier to grasp than the mig, less settings to worry about I suppose. Mig is easier to strike up but I like the stick

 

[weldingisfun]

I agree with Shield Arc.

The flux core, wire feed is the way go if you intend to teach yourself. Ran into the same problems you did trying to find a class at the local community college.

Taught myself, been welding now for about seven years and loving it.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Do it! Give it a try!!

I've had 6 welders over the past 5 years, and I settled on a AC/DC stick welder, 110v wire feed, and a oxy/acetylene rig. I've only ever welded a few things with O/A just to say I've done it. I'm a novice, and I've been a novice for 20 years.

Here's what I've learned...

Stick will be the cheapest to get into, and it's not that hard to learn. If you use 6013 or 7014 rod you can make strong, attractive welds with only a little practice. You can probably find an AC stick welder on Craig's list or your local want ads for $100 or less. Now that I have the wire feed welder I use it because it's easy. However, when my weld strength and quality are important, I still use the stick welder as my go-to. If I could only have one it would be a stick welder.

An auto darkening helmet is worth every penny you pay for it. A lot of us have paid $50 or so for a Harbor Freight AD helmet and it's received very good reviews.

An angle grinder is a must. My dad always said the difference between a good welder and a bad welder is who knows how to use an angle grinder. I've since learned that a good welder uses an angle grinder before he strikes and arc so that he doesn't have to use it after. Good fit and clean metal are keys to a good weld.

The actual burning of metal and sticking things together is the easy part. Chosing the right rod/wire and setting up your welder correctly are what determines your success. Keep a few charts handy that help you match rod thickness with your metal thickness and suggest initial amperage settings. Here are a few to get you started...
Electrode Amperage Chart - Baker's Gas & Welding Supplies
A BASIC GUIDE OF ARC WELDING ELECTRODES: ELECTRODE SIZE AND AMPS USED

Welding is like so many other activities... It goes a lot better if you warm up first. Start each project with some practice welding on scrap pieces to test your settings and refresh your technique. Practice on pieces that are like what you will be welding for that project.

 

[nsmithnd]

One of my favorite sites is Welding Tips and Tricks

Good quality video where you can actually see what's going on (as opposed to a firefly in the yard that many welding video's resemble).

-Neil

 

[k0ua]

One of my favorite sites is Welding Tips and Tricks

Good quality video where you can actually see what's going on (as opposed to a firefly in the yard that many welding video's resemble).

-Neil

+1 on that, I eagerly await each weeks episode that Jody does. I have learned a lot from that man. It is not the same a doing, but it is helpful.. He leans a lot on TIG but does segments on all processes. The one he did on using stick to weld up the grinder stand and how to work around heat bending workpiece after it cools was really excellent. I will also highly recommend an auto darkening helmet, and as for grinders I have 4 and could use another one. There is no end of this welding thing once you start. But it is worth it. All your life before you get your welder, you could remove all the metal from a workpiece you want, but you could never put so much as an iron filing back on. Well a welder changes all of that.. now you can put metal back on! Just my 2 cents.

James K0UA

 

[deereman75]

+2 on weldingtipsandtricks. I have spend a lot of time watching welding videos, and those are the best I can find. They have really helped a lot. I just wish he would do more stick videos. All the mig and tig videos do for me is make me want a mig and tig.

 

[Haywire]

I just wish he would do more stick videos.

ditto that...

 

[k0ua]

ditto that...

Same here, but looking at all the TIG vids, made me go get a 17V torch, cylinder, regulator and consumables for my Everlast PA160 and I have been teaching myself TIG. No HF start, no foot pedal, no postflow etc. but it is still great once you start the arc and get going. I really like the concentrated heat area, and no smoke (unless you workpiece is dirty). Oh someday (money permitting) I will probably get a more sophisticated TIG machine but in the meantime this is a truly useful addition to my little welder.

James K0UA

 

[Shield Arc]

This kid has some good videos on youtube.

Watch Great Stick Welding on The Welders Lens Home Study Course - YouTube

 

[chris85]

I am really overwelmed by the replies and the helpfull sugjestions. Thank you all, I cant wait to put all of your collective information to use.

 

[monckywrench]

Same here, but looking at all the TIG vids, made me go get a 17V torch, cylinder, regulator and consumables for my Everlast PA160 and I have been teaching myself TIG. No HF start, no foot pedal, no postflow etc. but it is still great once you start the arc and get going. I really like the concentrated heat area, and no smoke (unless you workpiece is dirty). Oh someday (money permitting) I will probably get a more sophisticated TIG machine but in the meantime this is a truly useful addition to my little welder.

Billions of dollars worth of pipeline, refinery, nuclear and power generation piping are held together by scratch-start TIG. :thumbsup:

 

[rcowan]

I agree with gwdixon.

I'm in a Oxy class at the local community college. It's the basic but the next will be stick or wire.


RC