Welding

facefirst35

facefirst35

Coast to Coast
I'm interested in learning how to weld but I have no clue where to start. I basically just want to learn light fabrication, stuff like adding seat pans and other things to a bike. Not really thinking of structural welding at this point.

At any rate, could someone recommend what I would need to get started? Not sure if what I would want is a TIG or MIG welder, as this is all pretty new to me. Thanks.
 
Well first off whats your budget?

You can go to the local community college or tech school an take welding classes, this is probably your "best" option but it's always been too pricey to me.

Personally I'm always a learn by failing kind of guy, so I just went an bought a little 110V mig about 6 year ago and started laying beads. I'm pretty decent now and have built everything from wrought iron decorative fences to motorcycle parts and jeep bumpers

I say go buy one. Harbor freights are okay an cheeeeeeap. They throw a lot of slag, but nothing that can't be cleaned up.

Jump right in
 
Budget isn't the biggest issue, but a the same time I don't need a top of the line welder. I actually looked into classes but it seems like it would be overkill for a hobbyist plus they all seem to be year long technical shool classes that I've found. Lincoln Electric has classes but they're around $700. For that much I figured I could get a decent welder and learn on my own.

So for doing welding on bikes would I need a MIG or TIG welder? I was looking into the Harbor Freight ones but I'm not sure which one I'd need.
 
$700 should buy you a small, 110v setup that will last you for life. I paid about $800 20 years ago for an SP100 Lincoln with a Lincoln cart, and I bought (not leased) an 80lb tank. And this was from a dealer, because HD doesn't sell the good stuff. It's never failed, and I've loaned it out to many a buddy in need.

TIG would be awesome, but the entry price is MUCH higher for anything decent. And I think you are talking 220v there. And the learning curve is harder, too. But you could do alloy, so if you are ambitious, don't let me talk you out of it. But if you go 110v, go higher on the amps. My 100amp is great for sheetmetal. But for frame work, you want something stronger. When I narrowed the suspension beam on my 73 VW Beetle, I borrowed a 130 amp 110v Lincoln, and it made all the difference. I think Lincoln makes a 140 amp 110v now, also. Miller and Hobart are also great brands. I have my share of HF tools, but I'd rather have a used and abused name brand welder than a new cheapo. Some times you really do get what you pay for. Their toolboxes are to die for, though!
 
If you are planning on spending upwards of 700-800 bux, then spring for something like a Lincoln Electric 110v welder and get the argon tank with it. If you buy a flux core welder you will constantly be chipping off slag. No chipping of slag once you have shielding gas.
 
Found out my dad has a welder I can have. I know be doesn't have a MIG torch for it though, so I'll have to get that.
 
I picked up a cheap Harbor Freight unit years ago and just recently started practicing with it again. Understanding the theory of it goes far with doing quality work, but really, like anything else, trigger time is what will help the most.
 
Booligan said:
...Understanding the theory of it goes far with doing quality work, but really, like anything else, trigger time is what will help the most.
Click to expand...

Well said. I won't say I'm good, but I've come a long way. Don't get discouraged if your results are lousy on the first few attempts.
 
I remember when I first started soldering at first I sucked but after enough practice I became good at it. I assume this is the same thing. I'll just need to practice it and go from there. I just really want to be able to fabricate my own parts as needed.
 
Blackbomber said:
Well said. I won't say I'm good, but I've come a long way. Don't get discouraged if your results are lousy on the first few attempts.
Click to expand...
Oh I assume I'm gonna suck at it at first. I'm sure there's an art to it.
 
I'm about to start learning how to weld too (and for the same reasons, small bike bits etc). I'm gonna start with a small/cheap gas/gasless mig and go from there. I've also been told to go do a course, however I also tend to 'learn by doing', and also have a few mates that are willing to show me the ropes.
I haven't looked yet, but Ive been told YouTube is a wealth of information...
 
Welding isn't something that seems easy to learn from a video. But I did improve my MIG skills quite a bit by watching good videos on YouTube. It's good when the teacher demonstrates the wrong way, and you can take note of the different sounds of a good and bad bead. Plus good camera work puts you right where the action is.
 
So maybe this is a dumb question but if you get a 130 amp 110v welder, what kind of breaker / circuit do you need to plug into?
 
I've got a 100amp 220v gasless MIG (or Flux Core in the USA) and it's fine for most light duty steel welding. And it's probably the best thing to learn on because it really is point and shoot.

Finding a decent quality wire is the key to more consistent welds and low(er) splatter. Also prepping your weld areas helps a lot too (I use a cup brush on an angle grinder to prep my weld areas).

The best thing about the gasless is you can take it anywhere (you could weld in a hurricane) and you only have to replace the wire spool (OK - the tips can burn out if your technique is sloppy).

Another thing to consider is the duty cycle of the welder (Duty cycle is a welding equipment specification which defines the number of minutes, within a 10 minute period, during which a given welder can safely produce a particular welding current. For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes of continuous welding). It's probably not too important for a hobby welder, but it can be annoying if you want to weld a lot and the welder shuts off because it needs to cool down.

So, in other words, you get what you pay for ;)
 
Hi, I am learning to weld also. I took a short community college class for the hobbyist and bought a Hobart 130 MIG set up for about $450 that has been easy and fun to work with. Plugs right into the 110 house outlets. My welds are really ugly so far but I hope they will get better with practice. Good Luck!
 
I live in the Cleveland area and my husband welds. He works for Lincoln. Let's plan a time that is good for you were we can work on teaching you the basics of welding. In exchange you can help us when we get to the wiring of my bike.

I have enjoyed reading all the post of so many having Lincoln welders they are the best.

Send me a message with your number and we can see if we can work it out.
 
SO my dad gave me his Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 100HD Wire Feed Welder. Will that be suitable for what I'm looking to do? Mainly just want to be able to weld seat pans to frame and maybe do some light fabrication of things like headlight ears, etc.
 
reboopie said:
I live in the Cleveland area and my husband welds. He works for Lincoln. Let's plan a time that is good for you were we can work on teaching you the basics of welding. In exchange you can help us when we get to the wiring of my bike.

I have enjoyed reading all the post of so many having Lincoln welders they are the best.

Send me a message with your number and we can see if we can work it out.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the offer but I'm not sure how helpful I'd be with your wiring since I'm pretty new to bike building.
 
That will be fine for what you want to do. Since you got the welder from your dad,make sure spend the money on a quality auto darkening helmet. (miller Lincoln Hobart) like stated above the videos are good but a lot of hands on practice will teach you a lot. Don't be afraid to see what the dials do to your welds ( wire speed/heat)
 
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