Not sure whether I should post this here or in Mech & Tech... Can anyone tell me how long it would take to learn the BASICS of welding - ??? I know this sounds really ambiguous, but if I found someone to teach me, could I learn in a couple of weekends how to do simple welds? Or would I be looking at a couple of months, years, decades? I know absolutely NOTHING, so where and how do I start? What's the difference between MIG and ARC? Is there a difference? I have a million questions and the only answer I don't want is "leave well alone, Ma and go back to your knitting" ;D
Welding is not a difficult thing to learn at all , a lot of it is confidence in yourself and not be frightened of the equipment. I would try and find someone local maybe from here that would show you the basics - then get yourself some kit and some scrap metal and have a go unless you want to do it as a living ?? if so you best go to school and get the tickets for it - Have a go fella try mig try gas welding try it all - Dale
For first time out Mig is easier especialy when doing thin bodypanels. A few weekends practice and you could soon get the hang of it.
Definitely don't want to do it for a living, but want to know the basics for the smaller jobs on the bus (Someone told me the easiest welding is something called 'stick welding' but without explaining what that was!
mig is far easier for car panel s etc theres some good forums that will advise you also there plenty on here who tell you your doing it wrong lol think this is the site i looked on when i first had a go http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/
Stick welding should be arc as you put a stick of weld in to the gun so to speak . I learnt for a bit at collage a while before I even got a welder of my own . Personal the thicker the metal like box section the easier it is to weld and it won't blow through the metal ,small thin panels can be a pain if you hold the gun there to long . Best to also read about setting up a mig welder so you can set it to what your working with and don't buy a cheap 90 mig there crap I've broke 2 lol
This is exactly the kind of advice I needed! Now I won't look at a 'cheap 90 mig'. That site Lowie, is brilliant - thanks for that. Now I need to get myself some kit and drive hubby mad while I practice!
I used a 90 mig on my mk1 golf for about 2 weeks it could not keep up and I did not trust the welds that came from it so I had the welds re done and got another mig of a mate think that was 130 but I'm now using a 150 mig with a argon shield mix and it's on wheels ,loads better look at places like machine mart and see what they have also if you go to there stores they have a section were they sell of items cheaper due to damage some of it really light so if your not bothered about a bit of light damage you may get a good welder a bit cheaper if they have one
Definately don't get a MIT welder below 130. You need higher amps for good penetration. One other tip. Don't bother with the disposable welding bottles as they're not good value for money and you just can't get into a job for long enough. Especially practicing. Go to www.adamsgas.co.uk, you can find a local supplier and you get large rent free bottles. I think it's well reasonable. Always have gas at the ready
My 150 mig ,gas or gas less cost a 117 pounds from screw fix I brought it as I needed a welder and it was cheap got told the make weren't the best and a few people have had problems but mine is working spot on for years now only thing that happened is that a wire come lose from me moving it over the ground so much but that is it . I'm using a converter line and a reg to use a x size bottle and use boc welding tips as there better than what came with it .
I did an 8 week basic welding night course at a local college and it helped no end.Each session was two hours, went through how to set up the machine, all about the different joint types, and with stick welding it was all about different techniques such as what electrode is best for a particular job etc. A next step course has just come up so I will be doing that as well.
Just had a quick gander on machine mart what's the difference between migs that use gas and are gas less apart from the obivious gas/no gas
Used gas less and I won't use it again it spits and is un clean after ,works well if your out side with some wind compared to gas welders but I rather use gas with mine
