I found the classes I took to be very useful as well. Highly recommended to take before you invest in your own welding equipment as you can find out the different welding processes and also what the different features are good for. Also you can find out what process(es) works well for you and the type of welding you think you'll be doing. For example, I first got into a regular arc (SMAW) welder and knew for sure I wanted to get both AC and DC capability. Most of the lower end machines are AC-only and you lose a lot of capability without DC mode.

There were quite a few folks in the classes I took that basically took the class just as an intro. and to find out the ins and outs of the various types of welding before they invested in their own machine. And not all of them came to the same conclusion. One woman decided that gas welding was for her, she was more into artistic projects and a oxy-acet. torch was the best tool. I went first with arc, then MIG and a TIG welder, since they all have their place. And it was certainly less expensive to burn up the schools rods and gas and scrap metal learning that going out and buying your own supplies. I figure it costs about $30/hr. to run my MIG with the wire and shielding gas and in class, we ran those machines 3 hrs./night twice a week for the whole quarter.

 

You can go to a welding class that teaches the basics first. They probably will also have some overview of the different types so that you can choose on which one you would like to learn further. It is always better to learn the basics first so that learning further will be easier. Good luck.

 

Thanks - I took a welding class at Techshop in San Jose last summer (after I started this thread) and it was extremely helpful. I have since bought a flux core welder (HF) but not yet used it - too many other projects got in the way....

 

Hint, clean real good whatever you weld, dirt, rust, mill scale. And have a good clean ground point. And experiment with settings. The guide inside the machine is just that, only a guide. good luck

 

Thanks Teuf!

This sounds like a no brainer, but always disconnect your battery when welding on the truck right?

 

I have seen welds done with it attached. Ground close to the weld not just anywhere.

 

But then again there is no harm in disconnecting the batteiy

 

Yeah, I once welded with the battery still connected - I cross jumped my truck in the dark in the rain I think I'll be disconnecting it regardless of where I weld on the truck

Thanks!

PS - dumb question - can you flux core weld both steel and aluminum, separately, using the same flux wire?

I've heard of TIG welding for aluminum, but don't know what you can/can't do with flux core in regard to Aluminum?

 

I weld on my '85 with the battery connected most of the time. Use DCEP and keep the ground as close to the welding location as possible. I need to use that setup when using the on-board (alternator) welder as you have to have the engine running to power the alternator.

Flux core for aluminum is apparently only used for brazing in a oven and for sure you can't use the same wire:
- http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=22621

You can get aluminum arc welding rods and you can do aluminum MIG with shielding gas. In my welding class, the aluminum MIG machines were different than the steel MIGs, you need bigger dia. wire and spool guns since it it hard to push the soft alum. wire through a long cable and gun like you do with steel. Also, you generally need to use a separate gun anyway as the aluminum wire would pick up steel wire residue if use in a gun once used for steel and that would contaminate the weld. In my class, we typically used TIG on thinner aluminum and spray arc MIG on thicker stuff. (like 3/8" and up)

 

So I posted up this thread last Fall when I set up my welder (before getting distracted by my transmission grenading).....Now I'm ready to revisit the welder.

Wife has a contractor coming by today to quote out installing some new sockets in the house, including a 220 in the garage for me (yay!). I need to know what to have her tell him to set up/quote out.

I believe I'll want to have him install a 50A breaker/receptacle, right? The Dryer is 30A, and I had initially planned on using that, but now that I'm getting my own in the garage I want it done right. Is there any reason NOT to do a 50A breaker/receptacle for a 220V Flux Core welder?

Here is a link to a write up I did (with photos) when I installed my plug/cord to the welder. You can see the Leviton (Home Depot sourced) plug I installed and that it has the "L" shaped prong at the top; the kit came with another prong (more a "V" I think...) that I can use instead of the "L" - I still have it. Question is, should I have them install a receptacle to fit the plug I have (originally for dryer), or do I need to replace the top post, or...do I need a different plug adapter on the welder's cord?

I need to know this afternoon please

Thanks guys!

 

thread revive! I'm thinking about taking a welding program to. I can do just about anything I want on my 4runner except weld. I've never paid any one to work or do anything on my rig except for an alignment.

Butte Community College here in nor cal has a 1 year welding program for certificate. I already have 50 credits of GE so im thinking about going the the associates degree. It's really wierd, Im doing the auto program, but I dont want to be a mechanic my whole life. I'm going to do the welding program, but I don't think I want to weld as a profession(unless I get into a specialty like pipe line welding). But throw those two things together and I could eventually follow my dream of opening my own 4x4/fabrication/general auto repair/ smog shop. Or just work for shop mostly doing 4x4 fabrication.

 

Way to go. I will have my A.S. in welding come spring. I am older but I am optimistic about work. Good luck.