I want to learn to MIG weld...

thefreqofnature · 04-08-2008, 04:27 PM

but the local community college requires a full 16 weeks of oxy-acetylene as a prerequisite. All I'll be doing is projects for myself. Maybe a bumper or sliders or make a trailer or something. I know the basics but I want more.
How did you guys learn to weld? Any suggestions or ideas.

Mattabilly · 04-08-2008, 04:37 PM

Do you have an adult ed course, like evenings once or twice a week? We have classes like that here, I wanted to learn oxy/acet and had to ask as they only taught ARC and MIG.

tc · 04-08-2008, 04:46 PM

COTTORA had a class at our local welding supply shop...

***waskillywabbit*** · 04-08-2008, 06:15 PM

Your local community college wants your $$$...not to teach you anything. Find someone who MIGs well and go help them...best teacher is learning from someone who does it for a living.

84YotaBuck · 04-08-2008, 06:30 PM

Ditto what the wabbit said. I wanted to learn how to weld, so I watched a ton of videos that I was able to find on the web, and talked to several people whom I worked with, followed up with alot of practice.

86 yota · 04-08-2008, 06:31 PM

Get some scrap steel and run bead on it. Butt them up to each other and practice over and over again. Watch your molten pool and always be sure not to jump out of it. MIG welding takes some finness and it takes a lot of practice. Then when you feel your beads look good get some scrap steel and weld a butt joint which is two pieces of steel butted up against one another and practice running beads. Try to get 100% penetration without burning through. It takes some time but you'll get it sooner or later. Also try making small circles or an half moon shape on your weave, that tends to flatten up you bead. Any Questions Just PM Me. Clint

RobG · 04-08-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefreqofnature

but the local community college requires a full 16 weeks of oxy-acetylene as a prerequisite.

Is that Orange Coast by Chance in Costa Mesa? I wanted to take a class but that was all I could find.

Pretty much what everyone else said will work, best to learn from someone but you can teach yourself.

thefreqofnature · 04-08-2008, 07:45 PM

I've been taking an 'auto restoration' class at the local college. It's a little MIG welding, a little body straightening and a little painting all in one class. I've learned a lot. I talked to the instructor before the class started and told him I was mostly interested in learning how to MIG. So I've been off in the corner doing my lap welds and butt welds on thin sheet. But I've had very little instruction. Not really the instructors fault, he's got 20+ other guys to help. I sat there one class and tried to figure out why I was burning holes in the sheet. Kept turning down the power and turning up the wire feed so I wouldn't blow thru. The instructor got around to looking at what I was doing and made the correct adjustments. Seems you need more power not to burn thru. Made sense one he told me.

I've done a lot of video watching on the internet. There's a ton of how to stuff on YouTube. I've got a bunch of threads saved from here about how to notch tube with a chop saw and other stuff. So I feel I'm doing my research.

I can't see myself sitting thru 16 weeks of oxy-acetylene class so I can start a class where I'll be doing what I'm already doing. Maybe that's my best route thou.

I know a guy who is a VERY GOOD welder & fab guy. But I hate to make a teacher out of him and take advantage. Make him stop what he's doing over and over so he can show me why and how and let me try and just generally get in his way.

I will go to the local welding supply (I'll have to find one) and talk to someone there. Any one know of a good place close to Huntington Beach, CA. ??

Thanks for the great ideas everyone...keep them coming

thefreqofnature · 04-08-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobG

Is that Orange Coast by Chance in Costa Mesa? I wanted to take a class but that was all I could find.

Pretty much what everyone else said will work, best to learn from someone but you can teach yourself.

Yup, that's the one. I called the instructor to ask if I could go directly into the MIG (advanced) class since I already had some basic knowlage. He got so mad you would have thought I had slapped his mother.

Stay in touch RobG maybe one of us will find something and can help the other.

4Crawler · 04-08-2008, 08:40 PM

I found my local adult ed. classes very useful. They started us out on stick then oxy-gas before moving to MIG and TIG. Reason for that progression was stick to learn arc control. Then oxy-gas to learn 2-handed coordination. Then MIG was a snap, took like 2 classes to get going on that, at least until we got to spray arc MIG and then that was tricky to get the hang of. But the prof there was very flexible, one person only wanted to learn oxy-gas to do metal sculpture and that is all they had to do. Another guy just wanted to spend a week or two on each welding method to get a taste of it before he decided what he liked best in order to buy his own welder.

Class had lots of good safety info and technical info on types of welding materials/machines/techniques, etc.:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri....shtml#Welding

canuckyotafan · 04-09-2008, 12:22 AM

hey i learned to weld over in ireland while i was living there. Mig welding is actually the easiest welding process out there. The most important thing is not how well u weld but the preperation and cleaning of the metal and having ur welder set properly. Make sure u push ur gun away from the weld, dont drag it. Make sure ur holding ur gun at 45 degrees to ur work surface. As someone said earlier, always watch the pool. U can always go online and buy some books and just read and learn. I can give u the names of the ons i have if u would like?

4rnr · 04-09-2008, 09:39 PM

I bought a welder it came with a tape...the rest is history.

thefreqofnature · 04-10-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4rnr

I bought a welder it came with a tape...the rest is history.

Then you waited for the first 50 degree day and decided to SAS your truck!

LOL

Very nice rig!

TC4RNR · 04-10-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4rnr

I bought a welder it came with a tape...the rest is history.

that's exactly what i did, mine didn't come with a tape, but i got YOUTUBE. both Miller and Lincoln companies websites have plenty of reading materials. my local CC didn't even offer MIG classes because there isn't much to teach,

i'm taking Oxy/Acet classes right now and to my suprise, it's a lot fun and harder than i thought. my goal is to learn TIG, gas welding is one of the prerequisites, but it only takes 8 weeks. the TA is a cool dude, he tought anyone in the class who wants to learn MIG, also let me practice on the TIG.

i heard Cerritos College has pretty good welding program, also Mt. Sac.

keep an eye on craig's list, i saw a Miller 140 with cart and tank for $700 which is a very good deal.

***waskillywabbit*** · 04-10-2008, 10:38 AM

I own a piano and I can play a few songs from memory. I know how to play piano but I have forgotten as I am out of practice.

Like a piano, owning a welder and knowing how to weld are too different things, except with the piano you just annoy people.

With a piano and a welder it takes lots of practice to do it with competency.

IMO, your first welding project should not be a SAS although I am sure it has been done many times. Try something simple like a welding table.

904_runner · 04-10-2008, 10:47 AM

i started welding in my high school welding class,

Oxy-Acy, mig, tig, and arc
I think i picked it up pretty quickly. I could do all of them, but had a hard time with Oxy-Acy, but i only did that like the first couple weeks of class.

X2 on what everybody said about it taking some practice, it justs takes a few tries to get used to it and then you will start with your own style.

My recommendation would be to go to a shop or something, or find a friend who has one and just ask if you can watch them and try it (of course with a mask

) and then eventually, get your own.

And with every type of welding, just make sure you have your settings correct and it should go pretty smooth, since welding is generally the same motion, )))))).

Just have fun with it!

TC4RNR · 04-10-2008, 11:11 AM

i got a chance to try on a miller's AUTOSET last week, that's pretty much retard-proof.

thefreqofnature · 04-10-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC4RNR

...my local CC didn't even offer MIG classes because there isn't much to teach,

You're killing me

LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC4RNR

keep an eye on craig's list, i saw a Miller 140 with cart and tank for $700 which is a very good deal.

Thanks, I've always got my eye on craigslist! There are some great deals there!

04-08-2008, 04:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mattabilly Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 104	Do you have an adult ed course, like evenings once or twice a week? We have classes like that here, I wanted to learn oxy/acet and had to ask as they only taught ARC and MIG. __________________ 1992 4Runner - Aisin Manual Hubs, Sonoran Steel IFS Truss,Marlin shifter seat, JDM Hilux Surf Inclinometer, Yakima roof rack, Manik Brush Bar, 100W KC Daylighters. Airbox mod. BF Goodrich ATs 31 x 10.5. Running Boards Removed. www.backcountryracks.com

04-08-2008, 04:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 6,881	COTTORA had a class at our local welding supply shop... __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

04-08-2008, 06:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,506	Your local community college wants your $$$...not to teach you anything. Find someone who MIGs well and go help them...best teacher is learning from someone who does it for a living. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009 WabFab Off-Road Salvation Army Online Kettle

04-08-2008, 06:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
84YotaBuck Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 20	Ditto what the wabbit said. I wanted to learn how to weld, so I watched a ton of videos that I was able to find on the web, and talked to several people whom I worked with, followed up with alot of practice. __________________ 84 Extended cab

04-08-2008, 06:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
86 yota Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 84	Get some scrap steel and run bead on it. Butt them up to each other and practice over and over again. Watch your molten pool and always be sure not to jump out of it. MIG welding takes some finness and it takes a lot of practice. Then when you feel your beads look good get some scrap steel and weld a butt joint which is two pieces of steel butted up against one another and practice running beads. Try to get 100% penetration without burning through. It takes some time but you'll get it sooner or later. Also try making small circles or an half moon shape on your weave, that tends to flatten up you bead. Any Questions Just PM Me. Clint __________________ Drive train: Detroit Truetracs front and rear with Yukon 4:56 R&P. Body: Bushwhacker Fender flares Suspension: Skyjacker Hydro 7000 shocks, 2" ome/Bj spacer lift. Diff Drop Tires & wheels : Tires 32x11.50 cooper discoverer stt, On Mb Motoring Razor wheels. Line X spray in bed liner. Protection: ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. Marlin crawler rear tube bumper. Rebuilt: Motor, trans, clutch Lighting: IPF 868

04-08-2008, 08:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,254	I found my local adult ed. classes very useful. They started us out on stick then oxy-gas before moving to MIG and TIG. Reason for that progression was stick to learn arc control. Then oxy-gas to learn 2-handed coordination. Then MIG was a snap, took like 2 classes to get going on that, at least until we got to spray arc MIG and then that was tricky to get the hang of. But the prof there was very flexible, one person only wanted to learn oxy-gas to do metal sculpture and that is all they had to do. Another guy just wanted to spend a week or two on each welding method to get a taste of it before he decided what he liked best in order to buy his own welder. Class had lots of good safety info and technical info on types of welding materials/machines/techniques, etc.: - http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri....shtml#Welding __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs. r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club Last edited by 4Crawler : 04-08-2008 at 08:49 PM.

04-09-2008, 12:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
canuckyotafan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 36	hey i learned to weld over in ireland while i was living there. Mig welding is actually the easiest welding process out there. The most important thing is not how well u weld but the preperation and cleaning of the metal and having ur welder set properly. Make sure u push ur gun away from the weld, dont drag it. Make sure ur holding ur gun at 45 degrees to ur work surface. As someone said earlier, always watch the pool. U can always go online and buy some books and just read and learn. I can give u the names of the ons i have if u would like?

04-09-2008, 09:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
4rnr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 1,178	I bought a welder it came with a tape...the rest is history. __________________ poop 1988 stock 4runner, v6, 5spd, soft top. 1990 fj62 stock and mint! 1992 4runner, 3.4, auto, SAS'ed, Marlin USA springs (4"/5"), 37" PBR's, 30 spline Longfields, Hydro assist, dual inchworms (5:1, twin stick, 23 spline, chromo output, 10* clock) 5.29's, lockrite's, custom exo, custom snorkle, High angle drivelines drive shafts, 108" wheelbase, Warn hs9500i, Electronic shifters by AWshifting, Mcintosh/Dynaudio a/v system. The build up...http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=74915

04-10-2008, 10:38 AM	#15 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,506	I own a piano and I can play a few songs from memory. I know how to play piano but I have forgotten as I am out of practice. Like a piano, owning a welder and knowing how to weld are too different things, except with the piano you just annoy people. With a piano and a welder it takes lots of practice to do it with competency. IMO, your first welding project should not be a SAS although I am sure it has been done many times. Try something simple like a welding table. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009 WabFab Off-Road Salvation Army Online Kettle

04-10-2008, 11:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: so. cal. Posts: 480	i got a chance to try on a miller's AUTOSET last week, that's pretty much retard-proof. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. 265/75/16 BFG A/T. full SS 1.2 lift, RedLine Fluids, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid/belly, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders.