Lurn me sumthin' bout welding

chris

chris

cltdba
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Joined
Sep 28, 2009
Location
Concord, NC
I would like to purchase a welder and begin learning how to weld. Problem is, I know very little about it. I understand the differences between ARC/TIG/MIG and I'm pretty sure what I need is an ARC welder for doing around the house jobs and what not. But what are the differences with the machines? Should I just buy an cheaper 110v wire-feed style or should I buy a 240v stick welder? Whats the advantages of having a DC/AC welder instead of just AC? I just frankly don't know where to start.

I'm also perusing the intarwebz for more info too. I'm sure I'll have more questions soon.
 
I am not a welder, But have looked into learning more about like you are.

I have a 110v MIG with a gas bottle. From what I have been told and read, Its easier to learn on a 220v MIG than a 110v MIG, The 220v will compensate for the lack of skill. My 110v is tough to weld with, It takes knowing what your doing, Which I am still working on. So if it were me I would go ahead and get the 220v MIG. You will need it if you get to where your welding allot more any way.
 
I would go with a 220V Mig. Hobart, Miller or Lincoln.Much easier and cleaner weld if you run gas, so you will need a bottle too. Get some scrap stuff and start learning. Even better if you have a mentor!
Don't make the first thing you weld something that will have effect on your life.
Along with the welder, you will need other stuff too. A grinder, wire brush, something to cut with. It takes all of this, and more to complete most jobs.
 
you might as well go ahead and get a 220 mig. i started out on a 110 flux core wire welder, but it didnt take me long to upgrade to a millermatic 210. spend the money now and it will save you in the long run.
 
Like Chip said,

I weld on things like Bumpers, Fenders, Racks and so on, But I leave anything thats got to do with the safety of my family in the hands of a trained professional, Until I have the knowledge and skill to feel confident in my welding.
 
Thanks guys. 220v MIG it is then. I want to start with repairs on my trailer and building things like tables and such for my shop. Anything that will support weight on my jeep I'll take to a pro. :)

I already have a grinder, wire wheels, etc. Where is the best place to buy the welder from?
 
burrellsjeep said:
The 220v will compensate for the lack of skill.
Click to expand...

A bigger machine will not compensate for lack of skill. I suggest if your serious about learning enroll in your local community collage and take a class. A lot of people out there develop some bad habits that could have been avoided had they known the fundamentals and some technique.
 
I am planning on taking a class at the local CC this spring. I have heard you almost get your money back just in all the consumables you will use in the class.
 
FWIW, I have both machines, but if I only had one, I like the portability of the 110v machine. Can run it at Harlan, Dayton, Mountain City, anywhere with regular electric hook ups. I find that my Hobart 140 does anything I need it to with no problems. About the only thing I wouldn't trust to it is welding diffs and I think I could do that also but since I have the big machine i use it when welding diffs.
 
Look on the Lincoln website. They have a class in their Charlotte location I think its welding basics for 400 dollars or so. They also have more advanced classes for automotive and pipewelding and such but the basic one should get you started.
 
I took a class at CPCC "Intro to welding" and I learned a good bit, not that I can weld worth a damn but we covered oxy-acetaline, mig, and stick, brazing, sotering. It was a really fun class to take
 
I use the Hobart 140 and its never let me down. Northern Tool has it with a free cart at the moment.
 
If you are learning bigger machines are better because the of the amp rating. The 220v weld better becuase of the incoming voltage. If its something you are going to do alot of you do need to spend the money now. I have a hobart/140 and will weld ok up to 3/16 material but I bought a little spool feed buzz box from harbor freight($75) that is super portable and is great on light gauge welding but its cheap and you lose alot of control from the welder which means you must be better:rolleyes:. I use flux core wire Because the bottle is a pain to carry around and if you are working outside or in the wind the gas doesn't help that much( my opinion), But for heavy welds or something that I needs to be really strong I use the old stick welder or take:driver: it to work and try to work it in on one of our 300 amp millers.
 
Go with the class. But if you really want to learn & build some skill learn to stick weld first, Yes it's harder but you will learn more skill & hand to eye coordination.


I stick welder ac/dc is much cheaper than a Mig & will do the same things. Some are just more difficult with the stick. Hence the skill building.
 
I've taught welders in the field and community college. I've got ten certifications and can still f-up a weld if I get careless or in a hury. No matter what anyone tells you know this: no machine does it for you and a wire feed mig welder is the worst place to start. Nearly any idiot can tune a machine to lay down a fine looking bead and give the appearence of a job well done. Just ask someone who has welded for several years but can't pass a flat position weld test to save his/her ass. If you want an easy machine to work with and quickly fool you into thinking you know all you need to after a few hours of tinkering go mig. If you really want to watch a weld pool form and see how heat and all kinds of other relationships inner act in a joint start with oxy-fuel in a class. If thats not doable I always recomend a smaller Stick/Tig unit to learn on. Stick for heavier gauges and Tig for all sorts of material from 1/4 down. With 120 amps DC you can run a 1/8 7018 and weld any thickness you want with mutiple passes. With a stick you can also get very specific rods for all sorts of alloys and steels in various condition of cleanliness and rust. This isn't generally possible with wire and when available is very costly. Good luck.
 
I have to agree with WARRIORWELDING stick is the best way to learn the welding trade but its easy to get discouraged because at the start it will be hard as:poop: if you have never welded. I was luck that my dad was over my shoulder complaining about the rods I was sticking to the table and if I didn't get better he would teach my sister:lol: Without training a mig can just make pretty cosmetic welds that are dangerous and only acceptable in certian industries. I am not a certified welder but work with simple bead and certified welders and most of them only used a stick to get certified(I am only talking about the 25 guys I know). Most people that have never welded can learn cosmetic welding in a week or so. It really depends on you and what you want to be able to do. I had ran a stick for several years before getting the opportunity to mig and I was nervous but it was like spreading butter after learning to stick (for me). Good luck and the only way to get there is with sparks:lol:
 
I took the welding welding basics class at CCC&TI.....It was a joke. I welded trash metal to trash metal for a whole semester. I gained a little knowledge there but most has come from welding at Unbreakables shop and Shawn's work. I really want my own mig. I have an old craftsman home and shop stick welder....It very cold natured and frustrating.....but it was free.
I pick mig 1000 times over stick. If you do get a stick welder...I'd get a AC/DC so that you can add a pedal and spool gun for TIG if you so choose. This way you can AL and stainles .
DC also give a smoother, more controlable bead/focuses heat better
 
Wow, that's a lot of info! Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to take the advice and start with a class to learn a lot more about welding before I purchase a machine. Perhaps I'll take a spring course at RCCC or CPCC.
 
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