Learning to weld

[e30onBBSs]

If you're just looking to get the basics, community college is your best bet. couple hundo and you can take a class on pretty much any process you want. With exhaust (outside manifolds etc.) focus on mig (GMAW) welding. So you know, you'll have to provide basic equipment (safety items mainly) when taking classes. initial investment can kinda suck.

I highly recommend you take a basic principles of welding course, as you progress it'll help you significantly if you understand the fundamental process and what makes them work. you're going to constantly have to trouble shoot your machine, welds, materials etc. knowing the basics will serve you well.

Do I need to supply the welder itself? What do you guys reccomend for around $200-300 range?

I hope my school has some welding stuff, I go to a community college so that would be fresh

[IronFreak]

Do I need to supply the welder itself? What do you guys reccomend for around $200-300 range?

I hope my school has some welding stuff, I go to a community college so that would be fresh

No they should have the equipment. you'll need a hood, gloves, whelpers, etc. Once you sign up for a class they'll tell you what you need.

You'll be hard pressed to find a welder and all the equipment you need for $200. Id budget at least $800-1000 for a 145amp mig with gas and wire.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Yup, if you get something cheap don't be surprised when it starts acting up after 5 minutes of welding and needs to sit for a half hour.

[varg]

I'd love to take a class on welding, no time/money though. I learned to weld several years ago by buying a harbor freight MIG set up for fluxcore, and building an exhaust system for my Volvo. Practice? Welded some scrap pipes together, messed with the settings to see what would burn through and what wouldn't penetrate enough. Not surprisingly, my welds look like crap, but they hold up, don't leak too badly, and nobody is inspecting my exhaust systems so meh.

[Wschnitz]

To be honest after welding with Oxy/Acet, Mig, and tried a little TIG, Id almost say to find a class on Oxy/Acet and TIG. I just felt like Mig was a dirty way to weld things together.

That being said if seen some hot mig welds.

I just preferred Oxy/Acet and TIG.

[jaywood]

For hobby use MIG is extremely easy to learn. You do not need a class to learn how to use a MIG welder. (If you're going for certification that is a different story). Get on YouTube. Find a buddy who knows how to weld. Learn by trial and error. MIG is a walk in the park and when you get it down it can also be a very clean weld.

Tig is a different story and definitely a much bigger learning curve. Once again, YouTube has some great videos.




With all that said, if my town had a welding class I would have signed up 100%. No questions asked.

[bangn]

I suggest 5 slices of cheese to help you on your journey.

this is how you win