re: I want to learn to weld..

ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) on Highland Road does welding classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights. You should go check it out. The two year program is $1600, but if you talk nice, they may discount that fee. If you get sponsored by one of their contractors, the class is only $300.

https://www.abctraining.org/welding

quote:

---

Only professional welders use mig

---

Not even close to true

quote:

---

, i don't even know if stick welding is thing any more.

---

Stick welding is typically used outdoors. Pipeline, corrals, steel building, pipe fence etc.
MiG and Tig are used indoors in a shop setting typically. Shielding gases required to MiG and tig weld don’t do well outdoors due to air currents.

To build a BBQ pit, you will need some plate steel, an angle grinder (to cut the pieces), A welder's helmet, so you won't fry your eyeballs, and a stick welding unit with welding rods for steel plate (all from Harbor Freight).

Look at some YouTube videos and practice cutting and welding some small pieces of metal. Learn how to grind a v cut fitting and how to fill it with a continuous weld bead. There are very good welders on YouTube willing to talk you through it and demonstrate the needed basic welds.

If you make good plans (also found by looking at google), you might be able to get a metal shop to cut them to size for you. A BBQ supplier may have a grill the size you want to design your pit around.

You will be better making a box grill, since making a round one requires lots you won't have and probably can't do. Making a round cylinder pit will be even more difficult for a beginner, but it can be done. If you try to make one from an old butane tank, don't blow yourself up with left over butane that will likely still be in the tank.

Don't kid yourself. This will be expensive. Depending on the level of your natural, "God given Man Skills" and the thickness of your wad of cash, it can be done. Chances are good, you will be somewhat disappointed with the results.

Option 2 - Go to Bucees and buy one. They have lots of manly pits for sale. Only problem with that will be trailering it home.

This is what I have learned about welding while starting out late in life with it..,,it looks a whole lot easier than it actually is. My hats off to those boilermakers I worked with as a young man. They were absolutely incredible welders and metal workers in general. It is a true art form. Those that can there make their weld the appearance of stacked dimes are true craftsmen.

I don't do things where I can lose a limb or life with my first mistake. Hence, no straight razor shaving or motorcycle driving. or welding.

The easiest way to learn is to get someone to teach you. A friend who welds is the best place to start. You can watch all the videos you want, but until you just do it and keep doing it you won't get skilled at it.

When asked if I could weld I used to tell folks that I could make metal stick together, but it was up to interpretation as to whether or not it was welding.

quote:

---

The best welders I’ve ever seen are artists, they stack dimes on top of dimes welding structural steel. Absolute artisans and their welds will pass inspections each time. The welds are inspected like a mother’s womb (whatever that’s called)?

---

This is the thing. Practically any of us can learn enough to be functional with what we want to DIY. Professional, expert welders are nearly the equivalent of surgeons in my eyes. It’s a talent for sure.

You can surely learn enough to build your grill. Before spending a bunch of money, see if you know anyone who has a simple stick rig. Get some 6010, 6011, or 7013 rods and practice a bit. Some hands on instruction will be much more beneficial to you than videos, imo.

yes, you can teach yourself on a mig welder.

FYI, when the Lincoln manual refers to the work lead, it means the grounding wire, not the gun part you use on the work. when that is pointed out to you, your welds will improve. or it least mine did.

quote:

---

TIG is a little more artist fartsy and usually needs a shielding gas.

---

Just so no one gets confused MIG, TIG, and stick all need shielding gas to work correctly. The shield gas in stick welding comes from the flux on the outside of the stick vaporizing. MIG and TIG (the IG stands for inert gas) get the shield gas from a separate tanked supply, usually CO2, Argon, or a mix of the two. If you use MIG or TIG wire without shield gas you will get a shitty looking weld that is almost certainly contaminated. What you are generally seeing when a person uses a MIG welder and no separate shielding gas supply is them using flux core wire. Flux core can be used in a MIG welder but is basically stick welding where the stick is replaced with feedable wire and the flux (which provides the shield gas) is on the inside versus the outside of a stick welding electrode.