Best way to learn welding?

[General of Darkness]

Dunno where to put this.

Just looking at basic steel etc. Is there a good way to learn? There's a guy that's a block away that I think is an artist and he's got a lot of welded stuff in his front yard. I wonder if I should just walk by and ask if he could show me.

Thoughts?

[Serpo]

why not ,showing an interest in something is always positive ice breaker

[BrewTech]

why not ,showing an interest in something is always positive ice breaker

Agreed. If the guy is an artistic welder then I can almost guarantee he would be more than happy to show you what he knows.

I think that anybody that is proud of and truly loves what they do really enjoys other people's interest in their craft. I know I do.

[osoab]

Go talk to your neighbor, but bring your own steel to weld. Your best bet is go to a fab shop and buy small pieces that they are scraping.

[General of Darkness]

Great advice, thanks guys.

[Cebu_4_2]

When you actually weld it is not a straight line, usually a back and forth or circular pattern to get a nice looking and penetrating bead. You need to clamp a couple pieces of shitmetal together and practice. The shittier the better because you will learn how to bead with the painted rusty crap on it. Once you get a little practice (less than 30 minutes) If you weld clean steel your beads should look professional.

[Shami-Amourae]

YouTube. No I'm serious. I'm not saying I've learned welding on YouTube, but many of the skills I currently have I've taught myself based on watching YouTube videos. You can learn almost anything by just watching YouTube videos. It's one of the best educational resources on the planet. Don't rule it out.

After 5 seconds of searching I found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxpUeeKMXUo

[osoab]

^

I wouldn't buy it from lowes and I would at least go 220v 3-phase.

[Down1]

I would say go take a class for it if you can.
This way you will not get into bad habits and learn the proper basic techniques.

[millwright]

General, the only way to learn how to weld is to weld. You must immerse yourself in it, and it will take years to master it. Buy a good quality Tig/Stick welder and start there. then move into Mig welding and innershield.

So many different techniques so many different materials, gasses etc.

A good quality welding school is the way to go considering the costs of the machines the materials and the gasses needed.

[Spectrism]

I just bought an old Craftsman welder yesterday at a yard sale... $40. Needs new power cord.
It had a couple boxes of welding sticks and some gloves. I need a shield now.

Yes- I think this will be important to know & have for SHTF scenarios. Self sufficiency means fixing broken steel things.

[Cebu_4_2]

^

I wouldn't buy it from lowes and I would at least go 220v 3-phase.

2 phase is just fine unless your going totally industrial. I have a Miller 210amp mig, can weld just about any thickness metal including SS and aluminum.

[monty]

2 phase is just fine unless your going totally industrial. I have a Miller 210amp mig, can weld just about any thickness metal including SS and aluminum.

Yes, single phase is just fine for the home owner. Nobody has 3 phase power in his home. 3 phase is industrial/commercial. 220 volts is a good idea.

Many years ago Craftsman sold an ac/dc welder that was as smooth as any commercial welder I have ever used.

I taught myself to weld and at one time was certified for mild steel and low hydrogen welding at the Nevada Test Site.

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[palani]

Community college course. You will get exposed to more equipment and techniques than you can afford to buy on your own. There is MIG, TIG, stick, submerged arc, AC, DC. The heat from welding will cause your stock to distort and there are ways to anticipate this. For vertical welds or welding where you have to hold a pool of molten metal and gravity is not your friend the DC is best. Welding some materials (aluminum/stainless) requires a high frequency carrier (TIG). Hard facing stick for material that gets worn. Even welding cast iron.

[Twisted Titan]

I would say go take a class for it if you can.
This way you will not get into bad habits and learn the proper basic techniques.

Ding! Ding! Ding!


This cannot be. Overstated.

AND you have the added bonus of networking with teachers and students and that is how you gett hooks.

I did that with a electrical course i have a pereonal contact list of 20 plus professionals that know their shit.

As soon as the wee one is talking and the wife agree on child care

I will fully tap into that network


Good habbits can last a lifetime and may eventually save your tail.

[milehi]

Dunno where to put this.

Just looking at basic steel etc. Is there a good way to learn? There's a guy that's a block away that I think is an artist and he's got a lot of welded stuff in his front yard. I wonder if I should just walk by and ask if he could show me.

Thoughts?

I had my neighbor teach and help me build a simple garden gate. Do a search for Patton Steel Supply for material. They will also cut material/plate to size/length.

[zap]

My dearly departed made me weld with the stick, and that one with just one wire coming out,just so I had a idea of how to, made me cut with the torch too .... I can't do either very good but I could learn real quick if I had too. Thank god for good teachers/husbands.

[Spectrism]

My dearly departed made me weld with the stick, and that one with just one wire coming out,just so I had a idea of how to, made me cut with the torch too .... I can't do either very good but I could learn real quick if I had too. Thank god for good teachers/husbands.


I try to teach those around me what I know.... because I always wanted someone to teach me things. I find very few people willing to listen. They do not have a need now and no vision to plan for future possible needs. I have seen needs pop up where suddenly a family member wants to get help on something that I offered previously. Sorry... you had your chance.

[Down1]

Didn't Clint Eastwood do some welding in The Gauntlet ?

[aeondaze]

GoD, if you want to learn to weld stick is the way to go, if you are going to use a stick then go with an inverter arc welder rather then a trany, they are lighter and stick to the job less frequently. As fas as directions of travel goes, when using arc drag the stick away from the fresh weld, when using MIG/TIG the torch gets pushed past the fresh weld.

When welding complex shapes, don't forget to tack weld the job first on opposing sides to limit warping and bending (someone mentioned this before) eg if you're welding a square tube to flat plate, TACK weld two OPPOSITE sides first, then tack the other two. When going to do the ACTUAL weld sometimes you may want to let the job cool down a bit before you start on another side so it doesn't warp.

Other than that there is not much more to it. You might want to check out patterns for welding larger areas like overlappimg triangles or little cirlces.

Its all about practice, but its not really that hard to start.

[Cebu_4_2]

The Gauntlet ?

Another torrent search.

[Neuro]

I think gas welding should be more SHTF proof knowledge. We had some basic welding classes in engineering school many years ago. Unfortunately we were mainly messing around, and didn't learn much back then. :(