I plan on teaching myself how to weld. I just want to learn how to weld patch panels and fix body rust properly. I know next to nothing about welding so any advice would be appreciated; from tips to safety basics.

My first assumption is to purchase a quality welder. So what should I look for?

My uncle is a great welder, but he's about an hour away from me so he can't teach me. He suggested that I get scrap metal and practice. I think I'll do that.

I did watch a few videos on youtube that demonstrate what the controls do and it seems that aspect is fairly straightforward.

So folks, what do yall think?

 

For your intended use, a Hobart Handler 140 will do the trick. Comes already set up for gas and parts are available should something break. Tractor Supply usually has a good price on them. Plus get an auto darkening helmet. Craigslist can be good at times for a used unit.

 

If you may end up doing aluminum at some point in the future, Eastwood sells a nice 175 MIG that comes with a spoolgun for a really good price. I was seriously considering one, but then got a Hobart Beta Mig 250 with a spoolgun. Old machine, but a good one.

 

Thanks guys. Do yall have any tips on how to do the actual welding?

 

Here is an excellent ongoing thread on the subject of welding; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-practice.html

 

Get on some welding forums such as Weldingweb, Millerwelds, the Hobart forum, etc and READ before you spend money.

You'll want to set up whatever machine you get for .023 wire for auto body work, and get plenty of spare MIG gun tips and some nozzles while you learn.

Get comfortable with shopping online to save money, but buy some things at your local welding supply to make friends with them. You'll need their gas.

There are many threads on Weldingweb about getting gas cylinders. I use Craigslist. OWNING cylinders eliminates expensive lease fees.

Avoid cheap ChiCom welders. Hobart/Miller/Lincoln are good bets.

Indiana Oxygen Company have great customer service. I bought my ESAB from them and wouldn't hesitate to buy another machine or anything else there.

 

Ditto on the READ EVERYTHING you can before you spend any money at all. Even hobby welding has a pretty steep cost to get into, so doing your homework can save you a lot of money.

Cyberweld.com.
http://www.harrisweldingsupplies.com/
These websites usually have great prices compared to major-chain welding houses like Airgas on smaller machines. Buying local can be important for more expensive machines that need maintenance and upkeep, but for the smaller stuff the internet is a good solution.

Miller - Welding Safety
If you've never welded at all before, read every safety sheet you can before you even plug in a machine. Do some homework on a quality welding mask, and even a small 3M respirator. Invest in good quality PP&E because you don't want a hobby to slow you down at your real job. Fire safety is another huge deal, especially for hobby guys who might weld in a general-use shop that could have grease, gas, or other flammables around. A bucket of sand and a chemical fire extinguisher are important, as is watching sparks from welding and grinding. It's also a good reminder for the mechanically inclined to not store oily rags anywhere, dispose or wash in water and detergent instead of throwing them in an empty bucket.

Brake Cleaner = Phosgene Article
Again, if you're completely new you might not have seen this. Be careful if you use any chemicals or solvents on the metal before welding, but specifically avoid chlorinated brake cleaner and any chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. Read warning labels on any chemical before you use them, especially in a place where it might get heated up.

Miller - Improving Your Skills - MIG Welding
This is a very basic overview of MIG welding, really simple and short.

Miller - Resources - Tools
Here's a bunch of Miller's instructional DVDs and textbooks, if you're a visual person the DVDs are a huge help.

 

Thanks a million!

 

Check this out,

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-practice.html

it's put together by a very knowledgeable builder, and contains a boat load of information.

 

I just bought a Hobart 210 MVP and stared teaching myself how to weld there are many videos, forums and books to look at, Texastech_Diesel helped me out on picking a welder, also he told me that welding is addictive....you know what HE's RIGHT!!!
~Gage~

 

Good for you and especially good for picking a CAPABLE machine.