I'd like to put my hand to more custom projects but I'm lacking in the welding skills. I'm in school for mechanical engineering for another couple years, so I've got the equipment around. Suprisingly enough, we have no welding classes and I really don't have time to take one. So, how does a guy go about it? I realize this is pretty open ended but I thought I'd see what you guys thought. Thanks

 

just sit there and practice on a scrap peice. over and over.... perfect practice makes perfect!

 

enroll yourself in a college level welding class... they are cheap and will teach you a lot

 

he said they didnt have any welding classes and didnt want to spend the money. LOL

 

practice, practice, practice

 

So.... maybe read a book as a starting base and then just fire it up and go at it? I'm thinking wirefeed will be fairly doable, how about TIG? Also, where does a guy figure out how to know settings for various metals and thicknesses? You think picking up a book can get you anywhere in this situation?

 

my mig maachine has a basic guide on the side of it, but other wise I'll just kinda guestimate then lay a practice bead on a similar thickness piece of scrap and see if i like it...Mig will be easiest to learn to do well i think, my dad is teaching me tig and it doesn't seem to tought but migs easier

 

This is a pretty good site for explanations. Read through the process so you know what to look for, THEN practice practice practice.

http://fabfacts.com/index.php?PHPSES...5be68b3547b711

 

1. read. read as much as you possibly can on the different types of welding methods, procedures, etc.

2. talk to somebody who has been doing it for years and get some pointers.

3. get a decent mid-grade 110V welder (100-140 amp), preferably flux core, wire feed. get some scrap metal, some gloves, a helmet, and a grinder and start welding. weld two pieces together and then use the grinder to cut them back apart and examine the material. learn. once you do that and you get your skills and confidence up, then consider upgrading to a 220V machine for some MIG fun.

4. practice.

 

kinda

1. read up on it. there are tons of books out there on the subject.

2. If you know any good welderss, and I mean good welders, get them to teach you some stuff. One on one is the best learning experience.

3. If you are serious about getting a welder yourself do not waste your money on a 110 machine. Spend the extra $140 and get this machine:
http://store.cyberweld.com/hobhan175.html

4. Practice

 

but do #3 if and only if you already have access to a 220V source or you can EASILY and CHEAPLY run 220V to your garage.

if you can't say yes to one of those, then get a 100V for practice, sell it later when you want to go to 220V or keep it for small repairs and portable use. 220V welders are awesome, but welders don't depreciate much, and you can get 80%+ out of a 110V machine when you decide to upgrade.

 

I found a small shop, and the guy was nice enough to let me watch and practice on scraps, and let me help him weld a gate/fence for one of his customers. He said I can come back anytime, I just haven't had time to take him up on his offer.

 

also try and learn how to jig stuff properly, it makes things so much easier, you really have to have patience at times when it comes to metal fab, otherwise ull be spending more time with the grinder than the welder, i have cousin whose an excellent weldor, but he sucks at actually trying to fabricate something, and in we'd have to do it over again

 

if your school has an SAE car or a steel bridge team, join it. The faculty sponsors and the kids who have been doing it for a few years will be happy to help you learn how to weld.