Learning How to Weld
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 74
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Practice, practice, practice...
I got to thinking. Don't worry, it's just social thinking and I can stop anytime I want
Practice is good, of course, but nobody really wants to do too much of it, other than the first few days of playing with a new toy. After that, it's boring, boring, boring.
I have a different tactic that may help and seems much more realistic: Weld away but know your limitations. Have fun! Obviously don't weld on your truck's frame or anything critical. But do weld up shop projects that would only cause embarrassment if a weld fails.
For example, a welding cart is a great project to get you going and build some confidence. I still have mine from almost 20 years ago. Still works great, and when I look at some of the damage I did back then, it's a great reminder how far I've come. I highly recommend non-critical projects like that to anybody itching to learn.
I got to thinking. Don't worry, it's just social thinking and I can stop anytime I want
Practice is good, of course, but nobody really wants to do too much of it, other than the first few days of playing with a new toy. After that, it's boring, boring, boring.
I have a different tactic that may help and seems much more realistic: Weld away but know your limitations. Have fun! Obviously don't weld on your truck's frame or anything critical. But do weld up shop projects that would only cause embarrassment if a weld fails.
For example, a welding cart is a great project to get you going and build some confidence. I still have mine from almost 20 years ago. Still works great, and when I look at some of the damage I did back then, it's a great reminder how far I've come. I highly recommend non-critical projects like that to anybody itching to learn.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Welding isn't like a sport dude! You don't learn it by building crappy projects or testing out your UNPRACTICED skills on something you may not want to ruin. ANYONE who has gone through any training to weld will tell you that repitition is the only way to get good at welding!...Sure you can slap together a cart or a crappy project with some bird dropping welds but that's not welding. Practice, don't be lazy about it. If you're wanting to do something right and of quality then take the time to learn how to do it correctly.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
practise
Welding isn't like a sport dude! You don't learn it by building crappy projects or testing out your UNPRACTICED skills on something you may not want to ruin. ANYONE who has gone through any training to weld will tell you that repitition is the only way to get good at welding!...Sure you can slap together a cart or a crappy project with some bird dropping welds but that's not welding. Practice, don't be lazy about it. If you're wanting to do something right and of quality then take the time to learn how to do it correctly.
Ive been welding for forty years and each weld I make is a practice cause I try to make the next weld better then the last you should learn something from each weld you make then make the next one better
Last edited by Cg willie Willie; Feb 22, 2016 at 07:00 PM. Reason: spelling
New User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Im a welder by trade, here are my recommendations:
Most importantly, buy some welding books. Very small investment that will help you pick the right machine, the right gear, and save you a ton Of $$$ in the long run. Look up the JF Lincoln Foundation. Its a non profit run by Lincoln Welders, they have some great welding literature for very good prices.
go with a mig. 220v if you can, not necessary for probably 3/4 of what you would use it for, but can do a lot more.
Pratice, practice, practice. Go to a local fab shop and see if they will give you some scrap metal. I know I do that when people come in asking for it. Be sure to mention that you want to learn to weld. Also scrap prices are super low right now so you should be able to get plenty of steel for a twelve pack of Coors.
Also check out "weldingtipsandtricks" on youtube. Great videos for welders of all skill levels. Im a professional welder and I often use his videos to help me out when I am building something new to me.
Most importantly, buy some welding books. Very small investment that will help you pick the right machine, the right gear, and save you a ton Of $$$ in the long run. Look up the JF Lincoln Foundation. Its a non profit run by Lincoln Welders, they have some great welding literature for very good prices.
go with a mig. 220v if you can, not necessary for probably 3/4 of what you would use it for, but can do a lot more.
Pratice, practice, practice. Go to a local fab shop and see if they will give you some scrap metal. I know I do that when people come in asking for it. Be sure to mention that you want to learn to weld. Also scrap prices are super low right now so you should be able to get plenty of steel for a twelve pack of Coors.
Also check out "weldingtipsandtricks" on youtube. Great videos for welders of all skill levels. Im a professional welder and I often use his videos to help me out when I am building something new to me.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 55
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Lots of great ideas - thanks. Since I have the 220 connection I am going to go that route. It's location allows for me to work on the truck outside - not sure I want to begin to learn inside my house. You guys are right - the Internet has a ton of references now I just need to take my truck, go buy the welding unit the gear and a bunch of metal. Glad I have the old truck to haul it all in ;-).
And by way of closure on the 390 swap that lead to this conversation - again good advice here. It looks like that would be a royal pain in the hind quarters. So a 351W it will be..
And by way of closure on the 390 swap that lead to this conversation - again good advice here. It looks like that would be a royal pain in the hind quarters. So a 351W it will be..
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
You might be better off with flux core outside.
With MIG a little breeze will blow off the shielding gas (even at high flow rates)
Cranking up the flow rate doesn't help much and gets expensive quickly.
With MIG a little breeze will blow off the shielding gas (even at high flow rates)
Cranking up the flow rate doesn't help much and gets expensive quickly.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,917
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From: Angier, NC
gas, best of both worlds.
Dave ----
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From: Virginia
I am a amateur welder myself, done a lot of it through the years. If you are going to go with a mig, I have found the wind problem to be true and also it doesn't like dirt or paint. I also find it's hard to see when mig welding, but I am getting old also.
I seem to be able to see what I am doing better when stick welding, and of course clean metal makes any weld better, but in certain situations, a 6011 stick will weld through all kinds of junk and still give a good bond to the two metals.
I find I use both mig and stick, depending on what I am doing.
I seem to be able to see what I am doing better when stick welding, and of course clean metal makes any weld better, but in certain situations, a 6011 stick will weld through all kinds of junk and still give a good bond to the two metals.
I find I use both mig and stick, depending on what I am doing.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,917
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I am a amateur welder myself, done a lot of it through the years. If you are going to go with a mig, I have found the wind problem to be true and also it doesn't like dirt or paint. I also find it's hard to see when mig welding, but I am getting old also.
I seem to be able to see what I am doing better when stick welding, and of course clean metal makes any weld better, but in certain situations, a 6011 stick will weld through all kinds of junk and still give a good bond to the two metals.
I find I use both mig and stick, depending on what I am doing.
I seem to be able to see what I am doing better when stick welding, and of course clean metal makes any weld better, but in certain situations, a 6011 stick will weld through all kinds of junk and still give a good bond to the two metals.
I find I use both mig and stick, depending on what I am doing.
Because of it it makes it a little harder to do fine things like plug welding. I also need glasses for reading and seeing distance and welding just happens to be right in between either glasses! Make for fun welding.
Some times a stick is nice but I have yet to find a 6011 rod and welder to turn down low enough to do sheet metal
Dave ----
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
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I wear a monfocal contact lenses so an auto darkening helmet will be a must for me as my eyesight quality with the lense is light dependent. My problem with inside my garage is one of space. Lots stuff around and I fear flying sparks and metal until I get the hang of it.
And speaking of dumb questions. Since welding uses an electric arc to heat the metal, why doesn't it fry the. Electrical system in a car when one is welding on the vehicle. I feel I should know this answer but don't.
And speaking of dumb questions. Since welding uses an electric arc to heat the metal, why doesn't it fry the. Electrical system in a car when one is welding on the vehicle. I feel I should know this answer but don't.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I really appreciate the large lens in my new hood.
I had a Speedglas helmet since the early '90's, but the lens was small.
You can fry electronics in a vehicle
But that is usually due to a poor ground placed far from the weld site.
Welding current is only passing between the two leads.
High freq while welding aluminum seems to be more damaging (anecdotally)
I have never had a problem.
I had a Speedglas helmet since the early '90's, but the lens was small.
You can fry electronics in a vehicle
But that is usually due to a poor ground placed far from the weld site.
Welding current is only passing between the two leads.
High freq while welding aluminum seems to be more damaging (anecdotally)
I have never had a problem.
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ironmine
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