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Anybody here know how to weld?

H

Heisenberg

Lifer
I'd like to learn how to weld in order to replace some floorpans in my Jeep that are rusty, and do some exhaust work. Is this the kind of thing I can teach myself by practicing on scrap metal, or should I really look into taking a class on it somewhere to avoid serious problems? This would be wire-fed MiG welding...
 
if you buy a good 220 mig welder, the proper equipment, and a good book, you can easily teach yourself by practicing

I took a welder calss with my dad, it was a blast, and you learn alot about all types of welding. You should look into a class just for the fun of it
 
You could teach yourself. Get some scrap metal and play. I'm not a welder, but I figured it out.

I bought a low priced 110V model and it was real tough to get the settings right. But I was able to do some beautiful welds once I got it dialed in. From talking to others, it's much easier with a 240V machine.
 
In a class you will learn different types of welding and when to use them. You will also learn how to troubleshoot any welding issues you might encounter. Most local Vo-Tech offer a basic class for a few dollars plus material costs.
 
From what people say here, I'll probably get a book and try to teach myself. If I can't get it right, I may look into a class. The main issue with taking one is that I don't really have a lot of free time during the week. Thanks.
 
Just practice on some scrap. If you're at all any good with stuff like that, you'll get the basic hang of it in 5-10 minutes.

Kinda depends on what you're wanting to do, too. If it's just welding two pieces of metal together, that shouldn't be a problem. 😀

Make sure the metal you're practicing on is the same gauge as the exhaust tubing. Just get some extra, cut it, and put it back together with trial and error. Work on getting your welds as nice as possible...

This will allow you to get the correct settings dialed up for when you do the real thing.
 
Originally posted by: Bryophyte
If you know someone who really knows what he/she is doing, ask them to help you learn.
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Yeah, if I knew somebody who could, I'd definitely ask them. The problem is that being a physics grad student the kind of people I know well enough to ask don't work on cars in their spare time.
 
I would probably go with a book or the Internet. If not check and see if you have a community college giving classes on it. I'm taking a carpentry class now primarily to use the machines and get hands on exp.
 
Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Do you have a university student arts center that has welding classes? I took them down at UC-Davis at night.
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I'm sure there's someplace either on campus or just in town that has classes. Again it's more of a time issue than anything else. I just remembered there is somebody I know who has done quite a bit of welding, so I can always him if I need to. Thanks to everybody for the replies.
 
Our local community college offers welding classes..

How much does decent equipment cost? I'd love to learn once I have a garage to store stuff.. 😛
 
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Our local community college offers welding classes..

How much does decent equipment cost? I'd love to learn once I have a garage to store stuff.. 😛
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Home Depot has one for $300.

I'd probably rather have something from these guys though
 
My gas welder ran a bit over 400 for everything (tanks, tank fill, regulator, rods, etc). Saving up for an arc or wire-feed kit.

All girls should learn to weld. There's something primally satisfying when you cut metal with fire.
 
Originally posted by: Bryophyte
My gas welder ran a bit over 400 for everything (tanks, tank fill, regulator, rods, etc). Saving up for an arc or wire-feed kit.

All girls should learn to weld. There's something primally satisfying when you cut metal with fire.
Click to expand...
Girls that know how to weld = teh hotness 😉
 
Hey Heisenberg, if it's just floor pans you want to weld in then go to your local Home depot and pick up a Lincoln Weld Pack 100, 120 or 125 wire feed welder, these run on 120V, are light to carry around, easy to learn with and damn cheap (under 300 clams).

You must remember though that when welding sheet metal you must stitch weld it, that is you weld one inch of metal, skip two inchs and then weld one inch until the panel is in, then go back and fill the the missing welds, you will have to wet a rag and continually wipe the surface down to keep it cool, otherwise you are going to end up with an ugly warped mess on your hands.

As always you must make sure the battery is disconnected when welding on any vehicle or you will end up calling the fire department.

By the way, the Lincoln Weld Pack models come with a training video on the basics of welding 😉
 
Anytime pal, to truly weld sheet metal correctly you should be using a TIG welder 😉, these are the ones you see OCC and any respectable shop using, they confine the heat to a very confined area thus preventing warpage, they also use a high frequency pulse through the tip thus making the weld extremely strong and non-porous.

If you happen to have several grand laying around, pick one up 😉🙂😀


I forgot to mention that the Lincoln Weld Pack models come standard with flux core wire thus negating the need for a shielding gas, this makes it easy to weld but it leaves behind slag which must be chiiped off before painting, also these wleding can be converted to gas shielding by purchasing a kit for about 100 clams, you reverse the polarity of the welding (instructions included), attach the tank, regulator and hose and off you go.
 
Its pretty easy. I weld pretty much every day at work. Most of it is stick on a 220V machine or on a 120V "buzz box". If its a big job we bring over the 480V migs. Once a year or so we weld "naval bronze". I usually light my self on fire when doing that since it spatters so much.
 
Originally posted by: Oger
Anytime pal, to truly weld sheet metal correctly you should be using a TIG welder 😉, these are the ones you see OCC and any respectable shop using, they confine the heat to a very confined area thus preventing warpage, they also use a high frequency pulse through the tip thus making the weld extremely strong and non-porous.

If you happen to have several grand laying around, pick one up 😉🙂😀


I forgot to mention that the Lincoln Weld Pack models come standard with flux core wire thus negating the need for a shielding gas, this makes it easy to weld but it leaves behind slag which must be chiiped off before painting, also these wleding can be converted to gas shielding by purchasing a kit for about 100 clams, you reverse the polarity of the welding (instructions included), attach the tank, regulator and hose and off you go.
Click to expand...
Heh, if I had several grand laying around I'd just buy a new Jeep and forget about fixing the floor. 😉
 
some tips

http://www.hobartwelders.com/techtips.html

I was also wondering about what kind of welder do i need to say put a bumper back on a car (dont ask 😛 ) we were thinking a MIG but the stick seems much cheaper, although I am concerned about the strength of the weld primarily. And finally what company produces good (reliable) welding equipment.. I was thinking Snapon or Craftsman (since thats where i buy everything else) but cheaper with similar peformance/reliablity would be a better idea since I don't plan on doing welding everyday, just for autobody, farm equiptment, and small jobs here and there.
 
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