redbeast24740
1/2 ton status
I want to learn to weld. I was wondering what type of welder i should buy to start out with???
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Learning to weld
- Thread starter redbeast24740
- Start date
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
If you want to learn the old school way get a stick welder and get good with it. If you can stick weld you can mig weld. Mig is the easiest to do but don't start with the easiest. Stick isn't hard just takes more patience and technique to learn. If you learn to be good with a stick welding with Mig is easy.
You can get a Lincoln 225 "tombstone" stick welder at Home Depot for $250. It is a cheap and useful machine to have arond and learn with. Then once you are good with it buy a good mig welder and keep the stick aronud for the heavy duty welding.
Harley
You can get a Lincoln 225 "tombstone" stick welder at Home Depot for $250. It is a cheap and useful machine to have arond and learn with. Then once you are good with it buy a good mig welder and keep the stick aronud for the heavy duty welding.
Harley
gas welding, why? I have gas welded 1 time in my life in 15 years of self taught welding and that was only cause I wanted to try it. its a waste if time you ask me, if you just want to learn how to do it that cool, it has its place, but again I say why? if your trying to become a master welder someday then yes learn it all, but if you just want to throw some steel together in your garage for a project or your rig then go stick or mig. as hossbaby50 said learn to stick and mig is a breeze.
redbeast24740
1/2 ton status
OK this is why i want to learn. I want to be able to put new floor down in my blazer and i also want to make bumpers for it myself and I want to eventually get a bender so i can make my own cage for it. these are the reason's. So with that in Mind what do you all think??????
Why start with gas? I think you should because you can see what you are doing a lot better. You will be able to learn the puddle and all that better.
if you just want to throw shiit together, then just start out doing mig.
well do you want the easiest machine to weld with and go right to work on your rig or do you want to take the time to develope skill? if you get a MIG you can practice on some scrap steel, get the basics and start welding on your rig soon. if you buy a stick and practice it will take you a while to get good enough to stick weld on your rig and be satisfied with the welds you lay down.
it does not take long to get decent enough with a MIG welder. I would say MIG but every REAL welder should know how to stick.
redbeast24740
1/2 ton status
Whats a good mig welder. OMG i know absolutly nothing about this. I am not rich so just something that will be good enought to do body work with at first.
sorry if it sounded like I was knocking your sugestion, no disrespect ment, I just think your above statement is what he wants to do. does not sound like he wants to go thru the old school learning methods.
if your on a tight budget, look for something like a century 110 unit to learn on. then get a better welder like a Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart.
not a problem... was having kind of a bad day anyway.
for just doing bodywork, I have my trusty hobart 135 mig. it was about 500 when i bought it brand new. that was about 4-5 years ago, so im sure you can find something cheaper along those lines. if you cant get it to work right, just fiddle around with the wire speed, and heat.
BlazerBud
1/2 ton status
More important than the welding machine is old guy who teaches you. I had 3 Old guys who on the job training for a few years they had combined hundred years of experience. One guy was a nuclear x-ray quality guy from the hayday of nuclear plant construction. The other was a boiler maker. And the final one was basically a modern day blacksmith. real metal working is about the fabrication as well as the pretty bead.
Could not have said it better myself. You can learn how to weld, but if your fabrication skills, from an engineering stand point are sub standard your going to build nothing but junk that breaks. and in a worst case scenario someone could be killed. Im talking about the kind of pics we see posted all the time of some home built steering set up that is death waiting to happen.
Read books on how to fabricate, welding books, how to build roll cages, anything that has to do with welding/fabrication. you will learn from trial and error aswell. ofcourse learning from mistakes can be good to, as long as nobody gets hurt in the process. common sence goes a LONG WAY!
Why build something out of 1/2 in thick steel when it only needs to built out of 3/16. on the same token dont build rock sliders out of 1 in tube. I have seen 1 inch cage tube in a full sized 4X4 chevy. it was not entirly out of 1 in. but it was some of the main important structure of the cage. thats just stupid.
redbeast24740
1/2 ton status
Cool thanks I am not doing anything that major at first. just little stuff to start. Thanks for all the advise.
I'd recomend a small 110 volt MIG, that is set-up for gas sheild (solenoid, regulator/flowmeter, hose)
I'd also recomend taking a night class to learn the basics. Sheet metal has to be one of the hardest things to weld (rust repair). That or bribe someone you know that already is a good welder.
My first 110 volt MIG was some 80 amp POS Campbell Hausfeld...and all it could do was .030 flux cored wire. I did all the rust repair on my Jimmy with that thing, and many other projects. I have a 135 Millermatic now which is a lot more versatile.
Rene
I'd also recomend taking a night class to learn the basics. Sheet metal has to be one of the hardest things to weld (rust repair). That or bribe someone you know that already is a good welder.
My first 110 volt MIG was some 80 amp POS Campbell Hausfeld...and all it could do was .030 flux cored wire. I did all the rust repair on my Jimmy with that thing, and many other projects. I have a 135 Millermatic now which is a lot more versatile.
Rene
redbeast24740
1/2 ton status
Yes i was just at lowes looking at them and i think thats the one i was debating on buying. its around 450. i believe it what it was. And i have seen that one on ebay too. trying to find the best price. I live in the middle of nothing all i have is a lowes and a walmart.
for the guy welding in his garage, i think a mig welder is the best choice. doesn't require tons of skill, and is very versatile for automotive fabrication and repairs.
if you're going to buy a mig welder, buy a 220v welder. a 110v mig welder is only good for 1/8" thick plate, 1/4" if you bevel it out really well. the price difference between a 110v and a 220v welder is almost non-existant. buy the right machine the 1st time, you'll be very disappointed when all your welds start breaking and cracking if you purchase a 110v welder. also, don't go buy the harbor freight $100 mig machine, its a $100 for a reason, its a piece of $hit and its made in china. get a good brand like miller, lincoln or hobart and it'll last you a lifetime.
if you're going to buy a mig welder, buy a 220v welder. a 110v mig welder is only good for 1/8" thick plate, 1/4" if you bevel it out really well. the price difference between a 110v and a 220v welder is almost non-existant. buy the right machine the 1st time, you'll be very disappointed when all your welds start breaking and cracking if you purchase a 110v welder. also, don't go buy the harbor freight $100 mig machine, its a $100 for a reason, its a piece of $hit and its made in china. get a good brand like miller, lincoln or hobart and it'll last you a lifetime.
runamok151
1 ton status
alot of good info here. i agree w/ trusty. take a welding course. i took one last year at the local vocation h.s. most community colleges have them too. it cost $360, materials included for 1 night/ week, 12 weeks. we got to try gas, stick, mig and tig. i'm no expert by any means, but i now have a clue and a foundation to work with.
