Houston Welder Baws

Buy a basic 220v stick welder and start welding scrap metal. Maybe watch a few YouTube videos to learn a couple of tricks.

There’s no magic to it, you just have to get a feel for it and learn how the bead reacts

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Buy a basic 220v stick welder and start welding scrap metal. Maybe watch a few YouTube videos to learn a couple of tricks.

There’s no magic to it, you just have to get a feel for it and learn how the bead reacts

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This.

And if you are going to get into tig welding take the proper precautions using thorium rods. The radioactive dust can be harmful. Just follow proper handling advice. Don't want to get that radioactive dust caught in your lungs emitting alpha particles constantly for the rest of your life.

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but wondering if there was a good resource in my area that I could use to speed up the process.

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Find a machine you can afford then put out an advertisement asking for an experienced welder in your area to come work with you on a weekend for cash, beer, cigarettes, and powerball tickets.

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There’s no magic to it, you just have to get a feel for it and learn how the bead reacts

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This, people can give you some tips or tricks, but can get some of those on you tube. Find as much cheap scrap metal as you can and practice. Change the settings to play around with your technique. Get a grinder with cutoff wheels. Cut cross sections to see how good your welds are, then adjust.

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Buy a basic 220v stick welder and start welding scrap metal.

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This all day. I took a class when i was in highschool. Literally all they did was teach us how to turn on the machine. We welded on scrap pieces of plate for 1 hour every other day. First few days was welding on a flat surface on the table, then we had to hang the plate on the wall and weld vertical going up. After that we did side to side on the wall. Lastly,we did overhead. We were building bbq pits and deer stands after a few weeks lol.

After that i worked for a welding shop while i was going through college. Mig came naturally , and is way easier than stick. Stick is best to learn on in my opinion and everything falls in place after that.

Years ago I took an after hrs class at Wharton College 6 weeks twice a week.

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As others have said get a machine (harbour freight) will have everything you need to get started.
Machine
Angle grinder with cut off wheel and wire wheel
Some c clamps level and speed square
Hand full of 6010 rods
Welding hood
Sticker that says “welders get better penetration”
Buy some black pipe at Home Depot and build a firewood rack.
Use a one foot peice to learn out to make several welds (butt, circumferential, fillet ) once you feel like your weld doesn’t look like dirt dobbers have done it build your rack.
Don’t weld in flip flops or crocs trust me on this one!!

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OK, this is gold

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There’s no magic to it, you just have to get a feel for it and learn how the bead reacts

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This.
I took a class in high school. As already mentioned, it was pretty much:
-Here is your station and machine
-weld this scrap together in this position like this
-repeat until pretty and go to next position

It was not going to be my career so I did not care about passing Xray or other test. I just wanted make metal stick together. So I quit the class. My time and money was better spent buying my own machine and learning myself.

I bought a used Lincoln stick machine and began welding scrap together at home in my spare time. After awhile I was very comfortable with it but it wasn't the best for my small jobs specially ones that required thinner metal to be welded. I then bought a cheap wire fed flux core Lincoln from home depot. It came naturally because I started with a stick machine. I just had to learn how to maintain it, really. After awhile, I sold that machine because I wanted to move to a mig setup with gas to get away from the flux core. I then bought bought a Millermatic MVP 211, used, and already setup on gas. To this day, it is my go to for most all projects. The only time I really use my old Lincoln stick machine is when I am repairing farm equipment are welding old rusty crap.

To me, everyone welds differently. I have taught some and have watched many others with hood. You just have to grab a machine and learn to work your bead. The method does not matter. Half moon, circle, push/pull etc. Just as long as the method is comfortable for you and gives you the desired result.

[quote]Mig welders are easier to learn[/quote

Which is why everyone should learn first with 6010 stick IMO. A mig machine is like a glue gun after you get good at that.

It depends what you need though. A guy who is making farm repairs will be very well served with a cheap AC stick machine and a big arse box of 6011 rods. A guy building little odds and ends from new clean metal should have a mig machine

I have a good bit of stuff and probably still go through 6010s as fast as anything else. Its so damn handy for quick repairs.

there is a place called the Maker Barn not too far from you. they have all the equipment you would need and a good group of people that would probably help you out and classes as well. I am a member there for the woodworking equipment.

they have a message board app that has all sorts of people helping others and scheduling days for classes.