Welding 101

NCJeepin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Location
Conway, SC
So i bought my first welder... its a cheapo stick welder but i need something to learn with... what is the best way to learn how to weld with one of these things???

I have played with it a little and i keep getting the stick stuck to the metal and as for a bead, for get about it!! any tips tricks, etc....
 
Strike the arc like a match until you get a feel for it. What kinda rod are you using? Also, Haynes prints a pretty decent "welding 101" manual. It's not the most detailed book, but it'll get you started.
 
I took an evening continuing ed "ARC" class at a local community college.
Basically spent 3 hours a week just trying to figure it out.
Probably took me 3 classes to get used to not welding the stick to the work.
If you have a class nearby, it's $75 well spent.
However since you now have your own toys you can do it anyway....

As said, try striking it like a match. Learn to hold it close but not touching. Also (this wast he hardest for me) try not to think of the first spark as part of the weld. E.g. the first second it's really doing much "work", it's just getting the heat going and starting the puddle. So don't let that first spark startle you.
 
sorry if i sound like a complete tard.. do i drag the stick accross the materal?

btw

I am most def not ready to fab anything at this point and time, i just want to be able to do small tasks, like welding a nut to a skid plate, metal patch work to body etc..... just basic stuff to get started...
 
Take a class. Take a class. Take a class. I can't stress that enough! There is no better way to learn than practice on something that your life doesn't depend on. There's no better way to get that practice than with somebody else's machine and metal! I try to get people to take a class before they make the mistake of going out and buying a cheapo welder. It's a good way to determine if you're cut out for welding without buying a welder. Some people just aren't good at it, never will be, and really shouldn't own a welder! It's not a bad thing, everybody can't do everything. Welding is a skill, gift, and an art all at once, and it's not something to be taken lightly. People's lives will eventually depend on your welds.
 
your going to have to be very good with that stick machine to even think about welding patch panels onto body panels

Also, your going to eventually want a MIG machine and i've found that stick doesn't lend itself that well to MIG welding, (ie if you can stick you can't nessacarily mig) Might want to look into a mig if your wanting to do patch panels and other small stuff

But i guess i'll join the bandwagon, take a class at a CC
 
sha_ba_do_bang said:
your going to have to be very good with that stick machine to even think about welding patch panels onto body panels

Also, your going to eventually want a MIG machine and i've found that stick doesn't lend itself that well to MIG welding, (ie if you can stick you can't nessacarily mig) Might want to look into a mig if your wanting to do patch panels and other small stuff
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Really? I feel like starting with a stick welder made me much better with a MIG.

x2 on everything else said.
 
TheZenTree said:
Really? I feel like starting with a stick welder made me much better with a MIG.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. If you understand the overall idea of welding, how to watch your puddle, how to manipulate the weld, it will be easier for you to learn another welding process. I'm pretty sure that most who can stick weld can pick up a mig gun and have it figured out in a short period of time. Now on the other hand it would take a lot more skill knowing mig first and then going to try and pick up stick.
 
sharksanddanger said:
My thoughts exactly. If you understand the overall idea of welding, how to watch your puddle, how to manipulate the weld, it will be easier for you to learn another welding process. I'm pretty sure that most who can stick weld can pick up a mig gun and have it figured out in a short period of time. Now on the other hand it would take a lot more skill knowing mig first and then going to try and pick up stick.
Click to expand...
I totally agree
 
I learned on stick, and had trouble with Mig because I kept trying to feed it. Once I got that figured out, I had trouble getting the settings just right. Once I got that figured out, I was set. I think learning on stick is definitely the way to go though. It's more of an art welding anyway, where I feel like mig is more for high speed production.
 
I took a class at the local community college. I learned hold to weld with a stick first. The hardest part was striking. Once you've got it struck remember that your rod is continually melting off so you have to keep your hand moving down to maintain the distance. Then you have to move in the direction of the weld which can be left, right, etc. So while moving down you also have to move out. It took me a couple weeks to master that but I think it made me a better MIG welder.

A monkey can learn to MIG weld.
 
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