I was just wondering what would be the best way to go about learning how to weld?? I never could fit it into my school schedule so i'm SOL in learning it in school.... I think one of the local community colleges may offer classes. Or would I just be best to go read a bunch of books and try it myself?? Also, can someone explain the differences between the types of welding?? I remember somebody explaing all this before, but i can't find the post so I apologize, but i would really like to know

Basically i want to be able to do mainly exhaust and subframe work...beats having to pay some guy in a shop to do it if i can learn a useful trade myself. Lastly, what would be a good kit to buy?? I really don't mind spending a few $$$ as long as I know it's worth it.

TIA!

 

the diffrent types i know of are TIG, MIG, and stick welding. i've only started about 2 months ago, so i'm no expert by far.. but will offer what i know tig welding uses an arc to fuse the metal and uses diffrent gases to keep air off the weld witch gives you nice clean weld; mig welding is some what the same but is wire fed to lay down a nice beed of metal; and the last that i know of is stick welding, were you use rods and basicly stick them to the area your trying to weld (also makes a hell of a mess)
as for trying to learn books are good, but can only get you so far.. i would try watching someone thats been doing it a while and then weld a few things for them to see, this is how i've done it. and is working out pretty well for me
hope this helped you in some way, good luck!

 

My recommendation: learn how to arc weld first (also called stick welding, since they are all basically a form of "arc" welding). Once you get the hang of that (starting and flowing a bead, feeding the rod, figuring out power levels and what sticks to use), then MIG welding will come naturally.

I believe if you learn MIG first, it'll make learning stick welding a bit trickier since you'll have to break a couple habits.

I learned how to weld by going to a shop and asking to learn. Years later, I have a new trade. Hopefully you'll run into a guy just as cool.

 

Download and start with this: Welding.exe

It's simple and rudimentary, but it's a start.

 

best/only way to learn is to do it start with SMAW (stick) and 6010 or 6011 rods then try 7018. gas torch welding is good cheap pratice for GTAW (tig) welding. GMAW (mig) is pretty easy to do and easy to make a bad weld that looks great. 2 very basic things to remember that a lot of people don't know or forget is to drag anything with a flux and push anything with a shielding gas.

 

coming from a certified welder(me ) learning to stick weld first will help tremendously. I worked in a fabrication shop for 3 years stick and tig welding, and then I went to work for a tower company mig welding. Out of all of these, the mig was the easiest, but you will pick up some bad habits that will make your stick weld look like ****. Some training at a vocational school or tech trade school will be invaluable, and working with an experienced welder helps even more. That's how I learned

 

certified in what? what code?

 

Certification for steamtank welding and scuba certification for underwater repair. I am not sure what the code for tank welding is, I think it's more local or state b.s. When I first hired on, I had to go to the local tech school(similar to ITT ) and go through the "certification" courses in welding and machine tool. Like I said, I'm not sure what exactly(A lot of hours in training, something like 400), but I could not weld on ANY tanks untill I had this certification. When I started for central (MORE MONEY) they made me go to school so I could weld on the barges and the lock and dam. I hated it and got out as soon as I could, maintenance is my calling now!

 

ASME

 

ede,

Why don't you drag MIG?

 

GMAW only penetrates about the diameter of the wire if you weld in the puddle (drag) you won't get as much penetration. you should push it and keep the wire at the front edge of the puddle, or as much on virgin metal as you can. mig is by far the easest to weld but the hardest to get to bend or x ray with out failing. just a guess but i don't think the shielding would be as complete dragging the wire.

 

Watch a welding robot or automatic welding lathe, like a Bancroft, and you'll normally see the work being turned in TOWARD the gas cone on the weld wand. You'd waste a lot of argon/CO² trying to flux an area behind the gas cone. Incidentally, these are for ASME and TUV pressure vessels, so they have to meet global standards.

You still can't beat a TIG...

 

GTAW is slow and generates a lot of heat, but it does make nice clean welds

 

That does make sense (shielding gas area) for better penetration.

Funny isn't it?......do something one way for 15 years and all of a sudden the bulb becomes brighter.

 

mike it happens to me every day. now that i'm getting older i got to remember the little things, like unzipping my pants before i try to pee and then to zip them up when i'm done.

 

LMAO, Thanks ede...I have to go get a dry towel and wipe the coffee off my monitor and keyboard now