Welding advice

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Hello everyone. I would like to learn how to do some welding and was wondering what type of welding set up i should get in to.

My goal is to be able to use welding for such things as replacing some flooring, and chopping and modifying my 51 Pontiac.

Any recommendations or tips would be very much welcomed.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Welding thin sheet steel will require a TIG outfit. Maybe a professional could do it with MIG but unless you weld every day you won't get that good.

[Josh]

You dont need to buy a tig. It is ideal, but it is much more expensive. Practice up with a MIG and you can do exactly what you are looking to accomplish. For auto body work on steel You dont need that big of a welder. Larger MIG welders (240V 170A+) are great for welding thicker steel, but due to the increased output the resolution of the settings is lessened, making it more difficult to weld thin material. I would recommend a Lincoln 140 (120V) with normal MIG mix gas (25 CO2/ 75 Argon). The welder can be picked up new for about 500, and used for cheaper. You will need to buy or rent a bottle (I paid 300 at praxair and 60 a refill). Other items needed are a welding helmet (autodimming), you can pick this up at princess auto for 50 on sale. You will need wire, gloves, and some coveralls. Also items for prep such as a wire wheel for your angle grinder and a wire brush.

As for technique, get some practice pieces and learn! There are many resources for welding (books, internet, friends). With time you will get better and better. MIG is very easy to learn.

[SS Spoiler]

I have a Hobart Manhandler 110 volt wire feed. It will do 90% of every thing you need to do. Don't get the flux wire one,
opt for the gas shielded set up. I had an Lincoln 220 volt arc welder that never got touched after I got the wire feed. I've used
it to make a SS spoiler, exhaust tips, air scoops for the De. Supposedly you can weld aluminum, but thats out of my skill range yet. Heavy frame and thin sheet metal will require a different setup. Good luck ........

[andy blackmon]

Take this from a man who has welded over 50 years. Your best act is to find a welding school and take some lessons--welding is a skill. You can buy you a good machine the ones the men named are all good and teach your self but this will take awhile, find a local who can weld and most of them are glad to help a beginner. You can become a rod burner fairly fast but to be a welder will take some time and some help. Almost anyone can after a few minutes get to where he can stick metal together but this does not make you a welder, practice, practice and get help. Andy Blackmon union Boilermaker for 52 years and Delorean owner for 31 years.

[David T]

Take this from a man who has welded over 50 years. Your best act is to find a welding school and take some lessons--welding is a skill. You can buy you a good machine the ones the men named are all good and teach your self but this will take awhile, find a local who can weld and most of them are glad to help a beginner. You can become a rod burner fairly fast but to be a welder will take some time and some help. Almost anyone can after a few minutes get to where he can stick metal together but this does not make you a welder, practice, practice and get help. Andy Blackmon union Boilermaker for 52 years and Delorean owner for 31 years.


What he said. But I am even more "old school". I would suggest starting with Oxy-Acetalyne. I teaches puddling and heat control. The equipment is cheaper and more versatile. You can braze, solder, weld, and cut all kinds of metals. You can heat treat, loosen stuck fasteners, bend metal and so on. It is necessary for preheating and slow cool-down when you do certain welding. Once you master that then you can go on to a buzz box (Stick) or MIG. Check on local technical schools and high schools. Many offer courses but once you are taught the basics it is all practice from there to get good. More than anything else it is skill and knowledge and experience that makes a good welder, not the equipment. Do not skimp on personal protection. Get the best you can buy from the beginning. Welding can really damage you if you do not take the necessary safety precautions. To be a good welder you need a steady hand and a LOT of patience.
David Teitelbaum

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Thank you all for the great advice. I will definitely look into some adult education classes, never thought of that. As far as personal safety I learned a few years back after an eye injury how important that is.