Taking Welding Class

Shoua · 08-21-2007, 09:01 PM

I'm taking a TIG welding class at my local community college. I want to know: what kind of welding do you do? Why do you choose that style? And lastly, can you post pictures up of what you do? Thanks.

4RunnerKid · 08-21-2007, 10:10 PM

i use MIG because it's cheaper, easier, and i never need to use TIG with the materials i work with. i would love to get good at TIG someday though. MIG is just a little more practical IMO.

everything done on my 4Runner was done with MIG... http://www.yotatech.com/f88/93-4runn...uild-up-82675/

drguitarum2005 · 08-21-2007, 10:19 PM

i took a class that was stick and mig. we spent the first two weeks cutting with oxyacetylene then we moved on to stick welding for a few weeks and once we perfected that we went to MIG. MIG was MUCH easier IMO, but im glad I learned stick first. TIG isn't practical for me because everything i need to do doesnt require precision and just needs brute-force strength, which stick and usually MIG can give me.

amgraham · 08-22-2007, 05:20 AM

I do mostly MIG also. I would like to learn TIG sometime but MIG works well for the general purpose welding I do. Here's a bumper and tire carrier I made for an Xterra this past weekend:

Lots more pics of the build here: http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ire%20Carrier/

Blizzard · 08-22-2007, 10:01 AM

I learnt to weld with a cheap stick welder at home. Then a friend left me practice with a +4000$ TIG welder and now I want one hahaha

It's so nice to weld things without adding material... And if you need to add metal it's something like wire soldering, you've liquid metal drops that you can move and let them where you want, very nice.

I've used also MIG and it's way easier than stick, but as David says, it's a very useful learning method.

David

V8pickup · 08-22-2007, 06:30 PM

I use a mig too because it is cheaper. Very little stick unless I need to weld something very thick. I would love to have a tig but not in budget.

4Crawler · 08-22-2007, 07:23 PM

I took stick, gas, TIG and MIG welding in about 2 years of classes at my local adult ed center. We learned in that order to gradually work into TIG. With stick you learn the arc control w/ one hand along with the various welding positions. With gas you pick up using both hands, one for the torch and one for the filler. Then TIG, you combine stick and gas and add the foot control as well. Makes for great welds on alum. and stainless steel for sure. I found it took me ~30 minutes of practice each night after work to get into the swing of TIG every class. After that, MIG was a piece of cake.

I started with a stick welder at home, then picked up a wire feeder and also a TIG machine and finally a MIG for production use since it is faster. I do want to get back into TIG, as I have some aluminum welding projects planned.

But did a lot of stick welding, which I find more "satisfying" than MIG., since it takes more finess than "pointing and shooting" with the MIG gun:

Hydralic-assist ram mount:

Sliders:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...it_HowTo.shtml

Shoua · 08-22-2007, 07:25 PM

I was told that I could TIG weld more different metals than MIG welding. I also have heard that MIG is easier to learn. So is MIG stronger than TIG? I want to hopefully create some parts for my pickup in this class. Will TIG hold up to 4-wheeling?

By the way, those are some nice welds on that tire carrier, amgraham.

4Crawler · 08-22-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoua

I was told that I could TIG weld more different metals than MIG welding. I also have heard that MIG is easier to learn. So is MIG stronger than TIG? I want to hopefully create some parts for my pickup in this class. Will TIG hold up to 4-wheeling?

TIG is probably the most flexible welding process, you can weld most anything with it, l like steel alloys, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. MIG can do a pretty good job on steel and alum. Given a good weld/penetration, all processes can yield an equally strong weld, basically as strong as the base metal. TIG will probably give the cleanest welds (and it is also the most sensitive to outside contamination in the weld area) and probably has the best heat control. That could make it a little "stronger" in that you can minimize heating of the surrounding metal. If you can make a good looking TIG weld, it'll likely be a good weld. With MIG, it is like my instructor said the first night of MIG class:

Quote:

What do the letters "MIG" stand for? Maybe Its Good!

With MIG, you can lay down a nice looking bead but have a poor weld joint.

95SASMudRunner · 08-22-2007, 07:44 PM

yea i mainly do mig because of its cost, i just picked up a stick welder and am in the process of learning i would kill to be able to take a class i just cant find any locally

seanz0rz · 08-22-2007, 07:50 PM

Metal Inert Gas

i am learing with a mig welder that i bought years ago and just finally got hooked up.

you can weld with flux core wire, but its horrible. dont do it. go get a gas cylinder and weld with a co2/Ar mix.

i dont have pictures of actual welds with it. but this is my first project for the truck, besides lots and lots of scrap material that i practiced on.

amgraham · 08-22-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoua

By the way, those are some nice welds on that tire carrier, amgraham.

Thanks! I still haven't gotten around to taking classes yet but knock on wood, I haven't broken a weld yet

deserttoy84 · 08-22-2007, 10:21 PM

I just started my welding class monday. It covers mig,tig,arc,plasma. Im hoping to learn alot from this class. Ive heard tig is great to learn and if you get good at it then you got some job security.

Shoua · 08-22-2007, 11:07 PM

4Crawler, those are some nice welds too.

The class I'm taking only covers TIG. There are other classes at different times though, that cover MIG and ARC. I just chose begin with TIG. Next semester if I don't take another welding class, I just might take machine shop. Then, if I'm good at both, I could make anything I want.

2KTacoma · 08-22-2007, 11:46 PM

The ultimate TIG setup would be an airtight chamber you can fill with argon and have the parts in it, that would result in 100% clean welds.

alot of people use argon jets when welding Ti they just have a nozzle aimed at the area they are welding.

Anubiscougar · 08-29-2007, 07:44 PM

anyone know of any classes around/in the orlando florida area??

08-21-2007, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Shoua Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 250	Taking Welding Class I'm taking a TIG welding class at my local community college. I want to know: what kind of welding do you do? Why do you choose that style? And lastly, can you post pictures up of what you do? Thanks.

08-21-2007, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
4RunnerKid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sac + SLO, CA Posts: 1,005	i use MIG because it's cheaper, easier, and i never need to use TIG with the materials i work with. i would love to get good at TIG someday though. MIG is just a little more practical IMO. everything done on my 4Runner was done with MIG... http://www.yotatech.com/f88/93-4runn...uild-up-82675/ __________________ -Mikey- 1993 4Runner ~ TG 5" HD/RUF front \| All Pro ~4" rear \| 37" Krawlers \| bomb-proof front housing \| Marlin UM06s \| 12" Fox 2.0s \| Aussie front \| Lock-Right rear \| 5-speed swap \| TG 4.7s \| 5.29s \| bumpers \| sliders \| t-case skid \| K&N intake \| Flowmaster 40 \| Optima red top \| clear lenses \| PIAA 1400s \| KCs \| LED rock lights \| Midland CB \| Firestik 4' antenna \| PIAA superwhites \| stereo Polygoats 4-Wheel Drive Club -> check it yo Last edited by 4RunnerKid; 08-22-2007 at 10:50 PM.

08-21-2007, 10:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
drguitarum2005 Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Houston (home), Atlanta (school), Cincinnati (work) Posts: 2,238	i took a class that was stick and mig. we spent the first two weeks cutting with oxyacetylene then we moved on to stick welding for a few weeks and once we perfected that we went to MIG. MIG was MUCH easier IMO, but im glad I learned stick first. TIG isn't practical for me because everything i need to do doesnt require precision and just needs brute-force strength, which stick and usually MIG can give me. __________________ -David 2000 Taco TRD Access Cab v6 \| 5spd \| 33" BFG A/Ts \| 33" PC Mud Terrains \| OME 882's \| Bilstein HD struts front \| Rancho shocks rear \| Chevy 63" leaf spring swap \| Custom sliders \| Custom front bumper \|3" BL \| U-Bolt flip \| Flowmaster exhaust \| Kenwood Speakers \| Grey Wire Mod \| Aux. Reverse Lights \| Deckplate Mod \| Lots of lights Pictures

08-22-2007, 05:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
amgraham Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 705	I do mostly MIG also. I would like to learn TIG sometime but MIG works well for the general purpose welding I do. Here's a bumper and tire carrier I made for an Xterra this past weekend: Lots more pics of the build here: http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ire%20Carrier/ __________________ 1987 Toyota 4Runner Specs Here: 4Runner Page Member VAXC, RVA-OR

08-22-2007, 10:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Blizzard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Barcelona (Spain) Posts: 883	I learnt to weld with a cheap stick welder at home. Then a friend left me practice with a +4000$ TIG welder and now I want one hahaha It's so nice to weld things without adding material... And if you need to add metal it's something like wire soldering, you've liquid metal drops that you can move and let them where you want, very nice. I've used also MIG and it's way easier than stick, but as David says, it's a very useful learning method. David __________________ '94 Toyota 4Runner 3.0 Turbo Diesel Intercooler – Trail-Gear 4'' SAS front, Trail-Gear 5'' rear leaves swap, 35x12.5x15 M/T's and too many things more to write...

08-22-2007, 06:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
V8pickup Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton NC Posts: 103	I use a mig too because it is cheaper. Very little stick unless I need to weld something very thick. I would love to have a tig but not in budget. __________________ 92 ex-cab straight axle swap 9.5 suspension and 2 in body lift, 350 V8, V6 trans 4cyl transfer case with 4.71 crawl kit, 5.29 gears, 39.5 Irocks 99 Taco 2'' suspension 3'' body lift with 33's.

08-22-2007, 07:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,465	I took stick, gas, TIG and MIG welding in about 2 years of classes at my local adult ed center. We learned in that order to gradually work into TIG. With stick you learn the arc control w/ one hand along with the various welding positions. With gas you pick up using both hands, one for the torch and one for the filler. Then TIG, you combine stick and gas and add the foot control as well. Makes for great welds on alum. and stainless steel for sure. I found it took me ~30 minutes of practice each night after work to get into the swing of TIG every class. After that, MIG was a piece of cake. I started with a stick welder at home, then picked up a wire feeder and also a TIG machine and finally a MIG for production use since it is faster. I do want to get back into TIG, as I have some aluminum welding projects planned. But did a lot of stick welding, which I find more "satisfying" than MIG., since it takes more finess than "pointing and shooting" with the MIG gun: Hydralic-assist ram mount: Sliders: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...it_HowTo.shtml __________________ 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

08-22-2007, 07:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shoua Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 250	I was told that I could TIG weld more different metals than MIG welding. I also have heard that MIG is easier to learn. So is MIG stronger than TIG? I want to hopefully create some parts for my pickup in this class. Will TIG hold up to 4-wheeling? By the way, those are some nice welds on that tire carrier, amgraham.

08-22-2007, 07:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
95SASMudRunner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 276	yea i mainly do mig because of its cost, i just picked up a stick welder and am in the process of learning i would kill to be able to take a class i just cant find any locally __________________ 1995 sas 4runner worked on by Cornfed... blew up week later 1993 SAS 4Runner, 4.88s, locked front, TRD e-locker rear with Inchworm kit, 35x12.5 BFG MT's, rock crawling rear bumper, All Pro front tubular bumper with Mile Marker SE12000 winch, Hella 500's, front & rear hitches, sliders, k&n drop in with ARB snorkel, custom duals, Federal Signal siren with whelen red strobes! custom front spring mounts rear susp. added another 2" of susp lift totaling at about 9"

08-22-2007, 07:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
seanz0rz Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cal Poly Pomona or Redlands, CA Posts: 1,292	Metal Inert Gas i am learing with a mig welder that i bought years ago and just finally got hooked up. you can weld with flux core wire, but its horrible. dont do it. go get a gas cylinder and weld with a co2/Ar mix. i dont have pictures of actual welds with it. but this is my first project for the truck, besides lots and lots of scrap material that i practiced on. __________________ 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 in Evergreen Pearl Metallic, Sonoran Steel #1, 285/75R16 BFG A/T, Elocker retrofit, Tundra calipers, brembo blanks, hawk lts pads, CarPC in custom center console with molded Indash touchscreen, KC daylighters mounted on Surco Safari rack, Custom sound system, 4xinnovation sliders, sleeping platform, Shrockworks front bumper, 1" 4crawler body lift, etc. Pictures Photobucket is being updated, if a picture i posted no longer works, please PM me.

08-22-2007, 10:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
deserttoy84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 849	I just started my welding class monday. It covers mig,tig,arc,plasma. Im hoping to learn alot from this class. Ive heard tig is great to learn and if you get good at it then you got some job security. __________________ 1984 toyota sr5 4x4 22r w/ weber 32/36 Pro comp 4" front springs and 3" rear downey springs D-tech Shocks 33x12.5 M/T , 15 inch weld rims Hella 550/ Hella h4 conversions with HID Home made On-board air system

08-22-2007, 11:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
Shoua Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 250	4Crawler, those are some nice welds too. The class I'm taking only covers TIG. There are other classes at different times though, that cover MIG and ARC. I just chose begin with TIG. Next semester if I don't take another welding class, I just might take machine shop. Then, if I'm good at both, I could make anything I want.

08-22-2007, 11:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
2KTacoma Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 159	The ultimate TIG setup would be an airtight chamber you can fill with argon and have the parts in it, that would result in 100% clean welds. alot of people use argon jets when welding Ti they just have a nozzle aimed at the area they are welding. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silver 2000 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab V6 5spd SR5 Now with URD short shifter and Milled polyurethane shifter seat Hella FF1000 Driving Lights

08-29-2007, 07:44 PM	#16 (permalink)
Anubiscougar Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Matthews, NC Posts: 98	anyone know of any classes around/in the orlando florida area??

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Motorcycle class	Tacoma Dude	Off Topic Talk	29	08-23-2007 11:36 AM
Denver welding class	MellamoPOUND	Off Topic Talk	3	10-27-2005 01:50 AM
Did I Miss Anything in Class?	msw0085	Off Topic Talk	1	09-30-2005 07:56 PM
Welding Class	MellamoPOUND	Off Topic Talk	1	04-14-2004 12:18 PM
Class of Hitch??	dlotoy4runner	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	7	10-28-2002 01:58 PM