Has anybody taught themselves to weld?

Self taught here as well - was quoted £200 for a tiny patch for the MOT. I had already borrowed a welder so thought I'd have a crack at it. Used a rubbish little hand held shield thing, will be getting a proper helmet before the next attempt!

First welds were ugly, but once ground down looked fine, and more importantly were strong. I'd echo @brothernumberone 's thoughts, the practice pieces didn't really help with the reality of welding inside the wheel arch where conditions were far from ideal.

It seems to be suggested that it is somehow some voodoo and black magic process, so I was surprised how well it went. I reckon give it a go. If you mess it up all together you aren't really any worse off than you are now....

 

I've never used a MIG set but my dad was a welder and as an apprentice I was taught to weld in the dockyard by his mates. Like most skills if you can do it properly on a bench then it means when you come to do it in less than an ideal situation you'll know what you need to do. From my experience the better the fit and cleaner the metal the easier it is.

Top quality welding is "voodoo and black magic" try welding a patch on a submarine upside down laying on the ground in the bottom of a dry dock, that takes years of practice, but your not aiming for that standard as long as it looks OK and you get reasonable penetration then that should be OK for an old VW.

 

This is my first resto and hasn't welded before. Happy with what I'm doing now so yes you'll be fine. I did go on a welding course which was super helpful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Do it!

I went to a 6 night even class for automotive mig welding at a local collage, after that - practice, practice, practice and now a rust free bus (the sand timer has only been turned around, rust will return at some point).

The welding course used top class machines way out of my price range and did not prepare for a hobby mig - some good advise but the mig forum (Goole) will provide all you need - I'd say no need for a course.

 

Its not as easy as some say it is ... most vehicle welding is poor rusty metal in awkward positions ,mostly upside down .......yes you can blob bird Marmitee two pieces together but a good 75% of stuff people have posted on here is very poor and after grinding flat has little strength left ......its all about the penetration baby ......decent welder and a good few pointers about wire speed and power setting will get you started .....college course is a good idea

 

I'm busy learning as I go on my crewcab, I think I'm getting better!!!


thus is the latest bit I've done!!!

 

As mentioned above , it's not as easy as some make out!!!
Penetration is the hardest part!!!!
Ooh matron etc etc!!!

 

I got one.

 

you need it more than me...

 

Bloody thing goes dark and I can't see.

 

Yes, but not as good as i would like to be though.

 

Yes Me Im rubbish at it

 

It's suppost to ,auto darkening...

I recon after welding 5 cars , I started to get good..

pratice ,practice ,pratice and having a great welder helps a lot..

 

Self taught. Bad still.
Using auto mask turned down to shade 9 or else I weld something different to the place I am trying to weld.

Also had to restore the welder as it was cheap but battered..

 

just be care full of the cheap auto masks ,,, they are not very good for your eyes

 

Interesting - is there a rough minimum price that means its likely to worth having?

 

Most are chinese. The 3m speed glass ones are good

 

Juat thought I would update the thread. I got the t2 restoration haynes manual from my wife for Christmas and I start a 16 week night school course in January. I have also ordered myself a mig welder in the sales. Looks like in going to have a smash at welding the van!!!

 

From my experience practice, practice and more practice improves performance. Always, alway, always wear eye and hand protection when grinding (even ear defenders) and the more of your face that is covered the better. Buying cheap is not always best and don't hold on to/keep an old grinder as the vibration from a worn one is not good for the hands (vibration white finger is horrible).
A good selection of both grind wheels and linishing pads is the best way to get a good finish but don't linish too much or the metal becomes too thin. I find I use the thin cutting discs and my dremel more and more as I have more control in respect of depth of cut and when working in tight areas.

Think personal safety all the time and don't use a long extension lead with a welder as the voltage drop affects it and the extension lead can melt (don't ask how I know this).