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| re: Learning how to weld There's some good info in here......I think these threads are what separate the OB from the OT. I've been welding for almost 20 years now.....it paid my way to the bars when I was at LSU.....since I enjoyed beer a lot, it was necessary to get good at welding so I could keep my student job. Anyhow, the best advice I ever got and can give the OP...... "If it sounds like fish frying, you're doing it right." On your new MIG, there's probably a little chart in the door that tells you how to set it for different materials. That's a good place to start. Wire speed affects weld success more than you think.....don't be afraid to speed it up or slow it down. Whatever you do, please make sure the material is clean......good welds look good because they started with good parent material. Without knowing your machine, here's Uncle Sub's Quickstart Guide...Get 2 pieces about 1/4" thick to start with. Clamp them down nicely to make a fillet weld. Clean an area free of rust with the grinder to attach the ground. Crank your machine as high as it will go (Based on your info, I'm assuming you've got a 115v suitcase type mig). Put the wire speed about 5/8 of full speed. Enjoy the sounds of fried fish!!!!! Reply • Back to Top |
I used to weld on my FIL's log trailers. Gave up cleaning weld area. I would just let the pine sap catch fire and burn off. After a minute the area was clean  Reply • Back to Top |
| Yeah, but I'm talking about actual welds people want to look at! Reply • Back to Top |
| I learned on a stick but have been using a mig lately and once you get used to it, it's awesome Reply • Back to Top |
| A mig welder thats set up right is like a glue gun compared to stick welding Reply • Back to Top |
| I know a bit about welding based on my job (piping and pressure vessel design and repair), but I've always wanted to learn myself. Seems like a very useful skill to have. Let's just say I've tried stick welding many times and it's difficult to get a hold off. I got my rod stuck on a multiple occasions, and I just was not able to naturally perform. Mig on the other hand was very easy. Just in a different class altogether. Reply • Back to Top |
| I picked up stick welding pretty quickly. Haven't used it in years though. I can make a prettier straight long bead with a stick, but for useful welding when it's not long straight lines, I do better with the mig Reply • Back to Top |
| Ive seen people who cant use a ratchet pull a pretty nice bead with a mig welder. Once its set up theres nothing to it. Reply • Back to Top |
quote: You've got to be exaggerating. A drunk downs syndrome chimp could use a ratchet. Reply • Back to Top |
| You would be amazed at how incapable some people are in ME. Some struggled with a center punch. This post was edited on 4/8 at 10:42 pm Reply • Back to Top |
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quote: Well that explains why it seems like nothing nowadays is designed with easy access for maintenance and repair in mind. They don't even know how to use tools! Reply • Back to Top |
| Yea it took us forever to fix the feed mechanism. Would catch right where jt feeds into the cord. Since then it's been a champ. Reply • Back to Top |
| About 95% of them are smarter than me. Theyre just helpless about some things. I cant derive the blasius boundry layer equation in 20 minutes, they cant change a tire. Theres some kinda balance there Jimbeam, last time that happened to me it was because the nozzle (not proper term im sure) was full of slag and causing backlashes. Reply • Back to Top |
quote:Same with ours. Reply • Back to Top |
| My BIL bought a Welding machine from there and it was a piece of junk. I know how to TIG, MIG, and stick and the best advice is just to burn rods or wire on plate until you can get a nice uniform bead. Clean surfaces and blocking wind so you won't get perosity In the weld are key. Sounds like you won't be doing butt welds so it shouldn't take long. Also depends what you are welding. If it's carbon steel you should pick it up quick...aluminum on the other hand is a bitch from what I hear. Reply • Back to Top • Refresh |
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