Welding virgin needs direction ...

[Chilly807]

You'll be welding a lot more than that if you don't know what you need to know to make implements
It'll cost more over the long run if you buy the wrong machine and start breaking welds. There are some safety concerns as well. You need to learn a little before you make that purchase. Shadetree welding is not rocket science, but like anything else, you need to find out what you don't know and make a qualified decision/purchase. If you get that right you'll have no regrets about purchasing or investing the time to get "up to speed" so to speak.
I have a miller-matic 200, 240 vac wire welder. I feel I got a good deal on so I laid out more cash than most would for a welder I'm not making a living with.
It's kind of like buying a tractor for some people: You don't know how bad you needed it until you have it.

I couldn't say it any better myself. I'll add a few things. My first welder was a Miller 120 V mig. Great little welder, up to 1/4 inch if you took your time.

A couple years later, I got a "deal" on a 220 V Miller mig, complete with spoolgun for welding aluminum. The "deal" is a whole other story, but let's just say I got one he** of a good deal for now.

I've used the spoolgun quite a bit, it's nice to have the versatility to weld aluminum if you want to.

My personal recommendation is to look for a good price on a new 220 v mig, and by all means look for a good brand name. Miller, Hobart (built by Miller), or Lincoln would be my choice, but there are other good names out there as I'm sure someone will point out.

Ideally I'd have a bigger mig (say 200 amp plus), an AC/DC stick, and a good tig as well. I simply don't have the room for all three, so I picked one that would do the majority of work I need done reasonably well.

If you DO go with a stick, I would strongly recommend AC/DC. The smoothness and easier starting arc makes beginner welding a bit easier.

But like the guys said, if you have the chance take a course first. Using somebody else's welder (and usually a good one) in a classroom environment is a great opportunity to see what you really want, like, and need before you spend your own money.

Sean

 

[smfcpacfp]

My personal recommendation is to look for a good price on a new 220 v mig, and by all means look for a good brand name. Miller, Hobart (built by Miller), or Lincoln would be my choice, but there are other good names out there as I'm sure someone will point out.

Just so you know Miller does not build Hobart welders. Hobart builds Hobart welders. Both companies have been owned by Illinois Tool Works since the 1990's and were completely independent of each other, and competitors for 70 years before that. Most people would say that Hobart welders are not the commercial equivalent of a Miller welder, although they do use some common parts.

 

[tb525]

For versatility reasons, stick with a 200-300 amp DC stick welder. Later down the road, you can always add a suitcase MIG. Or if you wish to TIG carbon and stainless steels, a Tweco TIG torch..

 

[Baby Grand]

"Complete welding idiot here ..."
You can't be,for your showing interest w/out chip on your shoulder.

If you have time sign up for class,just may peak your interest further..migs,torches, etc.,or get to know someone teach you quick hands on.

Ain't that the truth.
You're on the right path, asking intelligent questions, Grasshopper.
Definitely take a vo-tech class - beg, borrow or steal the tuition money.
You will waste a lot less money and gear, you won't have half the aggravation, and when you finish you will be asking these guys much more difficult questions ;^)
Good luck,
-Jim

 

[nunyabinis]

For ease of learning I would start with a good quality 220 volt MIG welder. You can use flux-core wire to weld thicker metal without using gas.

If taking a welding class is not practical for you, go to YouTube and search "basic welding", "MIG welding", "Arc welding", etc. You'll find more detailed videos than you can shake a stick at.


Then practice, practice, practice. Once you start welding you'll be hooked. I look for any excuse to melt metal together. You'll wonder what you ever did without a welder.


Then you'll start eyeing Plasma Cutters..........



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[beppington]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I've found that my local Comm Coll can "get my on their list" in early Nov.

I was a little frustrated by that long time frame, but I guess I'll wait it out rather than jumping in, spending $, & trying to figure it out on my own.

I did watch a good youtube video on MIG welding, filmed like an instructor giving a class, even had a female student he was teaching, in front of a "class" (us). Seemed very good. I feel like it was a start, but not enough for me to go spending $ just yet.

 

[Chilly807]

The time will pass pretty quickly. It's actually good to have some lead time, it lets you think of specific questions you want to ask the instructor.

The guys are right, once you have a welder it's amazing how many projects go from the "wish" list to the "do" list. Even things like making holes round again, moving holes, removing bearing races and broken studs... the list just goes on.

Mine gets used at least a couple times a month, with a little more imagination and time I'd be using it more than that.

Sean

 

[smfcpacfp]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I've found that my local Comm Coll can "get my on their list" in early Nov.

I was a little frustrated by that long time frame, but I guess I'll wait it out rather than jumping in, spending $, & trying to figure it out on my own.

I did watch a good youtube video on MIG welding, filmed like an instructor giving a class, even had a female student he was teaching, in front of a "class" (us). Seemed very good. I feel like it was a start, but not enough for me to go spending $ just yet.

I had in mind what type welder I wanted to get before I started taking welding classes. Taking the class and seeing what was possible changed my mind, so I agree with you, don't spend any dollars until you see what is available and possible.

 

[teg]

I did watch a good youtube video on MIG welding...

Got links??? I was able to teach myself to stick weld with LOTS of reading... Sometimes I can lay down the greatest weld... and 5 minutes later, have problems striking the arc... I went to a meeting to learn Mig welding... instead I ended up teaching people how to stick weld :confused2: If I can find time, I would like to actually learn to weld :laughing: so take the class if you can...

 

[beppington]

Got links??? I was able to teach myself to stick weld with LOTS of reading... Sometimes I can lay down the greatest weld... and 5 minutes later, have problems striking the arc... I went to a meeting to learn Mig welding... instead I ended up teaching people how to stick weld :confused2: If I can find time, I would like to actually learn to weld :laughing: so take the class if you can...

Sure, here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzBGZaS1apw

Again, I'm no expert, but this guy seems to know what he's talking about.

From what he says, maybe you need to clean the metal to be welded better? Or, as he says, welding is all about heat management; Maybe you've got it quite right?

Let me know what you all think about the video.

 

[gwdixon]

Got links??? I was able to teach myself to stick weld with LOTS of reading... Sometimes I can lay down the greatest weld... and 5 minutes later, have problems striking the arc... I went to a meeting to learn Mig welding... instead I ended up teaching people how to stick weld :confused2: If I can find time, I would like to actually learn to weld :laughing: so take the class if you can...

Try Welding Tips & Tricks for videos. The guy covers it all.

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

 

[nunyabinis]

"It is what it is."



YouTube - ‪Iceman & my jam-up fitter/foreman Wes gettin down in Salt Lake thats how we do reppin North Carolina‬‎




Indeed it is.




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[Danno1]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I've found that my local Comm Coll can "get my on their list" in early Nov.

I was a little frustrated by that long time frame, but I guess I'll wait it out rather than jumping in, spending $, & trying to figure it out on my own.

In the meantime, get a few books on welding and read them until you understand everything they say. That way, you will not only know what to expect when you start the class, but it will enable you to ask higher level questions of the instructor. Both of which will enable you to get more than your time and money's worth of the class.


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[baronthered]

Personally I prefer a good AC/DC tig/Stick machine for all round convenience. Big stuff only limited by duty cycle; small stuff and odd metals are only limited by your setup and ability to see. I definitely recommend either signing up for classes or alternatively being friends with a weldor. Either way you will be able to learn from and find the machine that will best suit your needs.

Another thing regarding the different processes is;

MIG : Have to have shielding gas coverage and is best used indoors. a lightly breezy day will blow the gas away and the weld will be poo poo.

Stick and flux-core (SMAW & FCAW) respectively are fine for outdoor use stick more-so though ( my personal take on it) Flux-core sometimes will depending on the wire you get, may be a dual-shielded variety and will need gas too so breezy outdoor welding is out as well. Stick can be used in fairly windy conditions if the need arises.

TIG: I love it I hate it. Slower than the other processes but the welds are beautiful and can be a pain to learn. best done indoors comfortably as possible and calmly as possible. This is a very hard process to get halfway right and to learn it you will learn to get some of that Buddhist monk zen feeling :cool2: or frustration will drive you up the wall :mur: . I hate it and love it.

Now for the kicker. Once you have figured out how much welding you plan on doing ( occasional or lots ) find a machine that will do what you need and get it. A bigger machine is more powerful and can weld longer without a cool down (duty cycle) but is also more spendy. A smaller machine can do big things if you know what your limitations are and the machines and work within them. The thing is it may take longer to get something put together correctly ( multiple passes, preparation, etc. ) but will keep the budget down.

Consumables are something you need to look at as well. Stingers, MIG gun liners and all that stuff. Many folks are ordering online now but when that project has to be done today online ordering can't cut it so find a LWS that you can build a working relationship with and that will help alot.

Always keep a fire extinguisher close even three or four ( please don't ask :laughing: ) If it smalls like hair (clothes, leather) burning it is. :confused2:

I'm gonna end this long winded post here. I usually lurk unless the topic is something I know anything well enough to contribute to ( rarely ) but fortuneatly welding is my bread and butter. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

If it smells like bar b que, stop and put some sauce on it...because your skin is cooked. Don't forget the terrible sunburn you can get in mere minutes welding. Seriously, though a thought occurred to me reading the previous post. Diabetics need to be extra careful when welding, because sensation isn't what it should be. A burn may go unnoticed and the end result could be very bad.

 

[wdchyd]

If it smells like bar b que, stop and put some sauce on it...because your skin is cooked. Don't forget the terrible sunburn you can get in mere minutes welding. Seriously, though a thought occurred to me reading the previous post. Diabetics need to be extra careful when welding, because sensation isn't what it should be. A burn may go unnoticed and the end result could be very bad.

Don't take chances.....coverup when welding....everything (hands, arms,legs )...don't be a tough guy/gal.....not worth it:thumbsup:

 

[gwdixon]

Diabetics need to be extra careful when welding, because sensation isn't what it should be. A burn may go unnoticed and the end result could be very bad.

How true. I'm a 40-year Type 1 diabetic (63 years old now somehow) and have two examples.

1. Slag from a cutting torch fell though my pair of sandals and went between two toes. Didn't notice it for several hours. It took 5 months to heal. Burned a hole in the bottom of the sandals too.

2. Was wearing rubber boots while cutting angle iron at 45 degrees. The angle iron came apart before I was ready for it and the hot pointed end hit and pierced my boot. Didn't have any pain so kept working. Walked in the house and left a trail of blood from a sock that was blood-soaked ankle high. That took 4 months to get better.

Nothing but steel-toed leather boots after those two episodes. Guess I'm a slow learner.

 

[gauthier]

so,,,are you saying its not good to wear sandles or rubber boots,or just not wear them when cutting?:laughing:

 

[jcims]

I was a little frustrated by that long time frame, but I guess I'll wait it out rather than jumping in, spending $, & trying to figure it out on my own.

One other thing you can do is start shopping. Hitting craigslist, ebay and the local classifies on a regular basis will help you get a feel for what to look for in price on used equipment. You've got a good short list of welders to look for based on replies in this thread...get to know what they cost, so that when you know what you want halfway through class, you can confidently pull the trigger on a good deal.

 

[CrashandBurn]

If I could have just one machine, it would be a DC stick with 6010 rod....