welding?

[agile30]

I'm looking to start learning how to weld and was wondering if anyone has advice. Should I start with a HF one or look for something better?

Any advice will be useful. If its been covered can you post a link.

[Jafxod]

I'm looking to start learning how to weld and was wondering if anyone has advice. Should I start with a HF one or look for something better?

Any advice will be useful. If its been covered can you post a link.

If you think your going to use it more then once or twice get something nice like a small lincoln MIG machine. Its ALOT easier to learn on a good welder. I'm not to shabby at all with my machine but with a flux core gasless crap-o-matic machine i can barely lay down a bead.

[agile30]

Yea I want to learn and use it for basic shit at first then in the future once I'm better use it more often.

[slammin.e28]

I took a vo-tech intro class to get started. I've got my friend's Lincoln MIG welder in the barn I use every now and then. Not hard at all.

[tfritz]

If you actually want to LEARN how to weld you should start with stick welding. Once you master that mig is a breeze. This is what both high school and college welding classes do.

[Rigmaster]

If you think your going to use it more then once or twice get something nice like a small lincoln MIG machine. Its ALOT easier to learn on a good welder. I'm not to shabby at all with my machine but with a flux core gasless crap-o-matic machine i can barely lay down a bead.

This.

And to clarify- alot of the cheaper welders are flux core only, meaning they use a steel wire that has some flux in it that melts and creates a shielding gas around the weld as you go. Works OK but to me it's alot harder to get a nice weld using flux wire, especially on thin stuff (sheet metal body panels, etc).

True MiG welding uses a shielding gas that runs down a small tube next to the wire, and gets dumped out right next to the wire as it melts into the weld. This is what you want. It costs more to get started because you'll have to rent or buy a gas cylinder and you'll have to get a welder that's set up for the gas (some welders are set up for flux welding out of the box, but have an optional gas kit that is sold separately to allow you to use gas).

The gas I use is a mix of CO2 and Argon, it's a common product at any welding supply store- just tell them you want the CO2/argon mix.

I'd stay away from the no-name welders sold at HF. But, I don't think you need to go with top of the line stuff either (Miller, etc).

I've had good luck with my Century Mig welder, I know Lincoln, Hobart, etc are generally good brands too. Lowe's used to sell either Century or Lincoln Mig welders that were good basic units, but I think they sold the gas kit separately- so consider that when comparing brands).

You can learn enough to do basic welding just by messing around with the welder, but you might consider taking a class at the local Community college to see how it's supposed to be done.

[nomansland92]

I started with my dads Miller mig Welder. I love that thing it welds really nice and i think he got it for sale for a thousand bucks but it was a good deal for how nice it is.

I recently had to take a stick welding class for work, i thought it was easy but it didn't seam as useful as a mig in my opinion.

I'd save your money and go with a licon or a Miller

Good luck

[Farbin Kaiber]

Stick is very handy in windy, outdoor situations when repairing something you can't get back to the shop.

[warmseth]

You can find small Lincons, Hobarts and Millers on Craigslist all day long for reasonable $. I think I paid $450 for my little Millermatic that runs on 110

[AT-JeffT]

BOOM!

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500500-Handler-115-Volt-Single-Phase/dp/B0002PS7SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323372255&sr=8-1

[gp.plus]

I bought the cheapest Lincoln mig that would work with gas, and it works great! Runs on 110 v outlet (30amp breaker). I have used it on hundreds of different things over the years an I have no complaints. You definelty want to get the gas set-up right off the bat though, that flux core crap will just aggravate you, leaving you with spattered welds that do not inspire confidence. I never took any kind of classes, just bought the welder, got some scrap and figured it out. Fwiw I use the HF regulator and it has serve me well for 4 years now, just stay away from their wire, buy the wire from wherever you get your gas. Hobart wire runs great through my machine, and it's only a few bucks more than HF.

[Mr. Schwarz]

To be honest, Im a Miller guy. I would get a small 110/220 Miller Cricket or something that can run flux and gas. Argon allows you to make very nice quality welds, flux has lots of spatter and really looks messy and looks like cobbed on dog crap, in the field they literally call it bird s*** welds.


Im proficient in all processes and about 4 months away from graduating with my associates in Welding Technology.

The advice i can give to anyone is to weld standing up with one hand, dont setup a crutch for yourself. I would most definitely start with a small buzzbox and weld using 6010 and 7018 rods (6010 doesnt sporadically arc around weld joints and therefore doesnt "Flash cover" your puddle, unlike 6011 which is tough for a beginning welder to see the joint) Practice Stringer beads and Weaves.

Id be happy to answer any other questions someone might have.

[Red Wing]

If you think your going to use it more then once or twice get something nice like a small lincoln MIG machine. Its ALOT easier to learn on a good welder. I'm not to shabby at all with my machine but with a flux core gasless crap-o-matic machine i can barely lay down a bead.

Oh good, I thought it was just me. Ive only welded a hand full of times, but could never get a nice looking weld going using flux core. Now I know to achieve that Ill have to use some gas.

[gp.plus]

Oh good, I thought it was just me. Ive only welded a hand full of times, but could never get a nice looking weld going using flux core. Now I know to achieve that Ill have to use some gas.

The difference is so night and day , everyone should have to weld atleast once with flux core, just so you can truly appreciate how much nicer it is with the gas.

[AndrewBird]

Honestly, my suggestion is to take a few classes at a local college or something. There is a LOT more to welding then most people think and unless you study in books, you won't learn everything you need to from just practicing. A nice looking weld can still be a weak/bad weld. Knowing what to look for is key.