welding question

[bissinger]

I want to start by saying that i've never welded before. so with that, I'de like you guys to give me a run down on the process. from what I understand MIG and stick are the best for beginners. Also, i'de like to know what kind of setup I should look for on the cheap used or new. I am reluctant to use the acetylene and oxy tanks, i've heard something about core? I dont know and im pretty ignorant on the topic.

thanks.

 

[locOleoN]

Id PM AnnVil or RudeBoy.
Both are professional certified welders

Ann welded all the cars in this movie:

[youtube=425,350]83-stjseRMQ[/youtube]

Now hows that for a reference??!!.. LOL!!..

 

[Druro]

Welding is fun!

I bought one of those cheap canadian tire Mig welders (flux core only) to learn with, basically because I'm not a fan of the stick welder and because I felt that it would be a better tool for the bikes.

I got a ton of scrap metal to play with so I used that for my learning. So far I've made up some book ends from old Magna camshafts and a cart for the welder.

The only suggestion I would have is to find a welder which has the option of using shielding gas or Flux cored wire... more flexibility down the road.

Oh... and get a good helmet... those hand held ones are USELESS

 

[stevendefense]

I have been taking welding classes at night the last several months and now I think I know enough to give you some advice.

Stick-
Pros- easy to make very strong welds as a beginner
no gas to buy
easy to weld rusty/dirty/corroded metal
many different rods for different purposes
Cons- harder to weld thin metal (without burning through)
harder to make good looking welds
many different rods for different purposes

MIG/wire feed
Pros- more flexibility in adjusting your machine
easy to weld thin metal
good looking welds easy with practice
can weld aluminum with the right setup
Cons- have to buy gas (MIG only)
selection of wire alloy/shielding can be daunting
machines generally more expensive
stronger welds (good penetration) more difficult than with stick

I am by no means an expert, but most of this came form my teacher who has 30= years of production welding experience. I started with stick and it can be very frustrating at first, but within several hours I was producing some pretty strong welds. They looked like crap but they were strong. After I switched to MIG my welds looked better but getting the proper penetration and strength took some more practice. Flux core is technically not MIG and I have heard that it is a lot harder to produce good quality welds than it is with a MIG welder.

Look around for a welder that can do both stick and MIG. It my be more expensive but you will have some more flexibility.

Go for a used name brand over a new cheapo. If the name brand welder breaks the company will offer parts and support for their product. Remember a cheap welder is cheap for a reason.

I also recommend that you take some classes if they are available in your area.

 

[brewtown16]

well, i would just use a plain old TIG welder. i have a linclon that i bought from home depot on sale, and its easy to clean and refill with wire, and i can adjust my burn and feed. i welded through highschool and i hate using torches, too annoying, but it made a cleaner weld..... but that shouldnt matter, you should be dressing your welds afterward. practice alot cutting pieces, dressing them, then tacking then running your bead. remember, always keep moving in a small circular pattern when moving in the direction for the best bead.

 

[chrisf]

well, i would just use a plain old TIG welder. i have a linclon that i bought from home depot on sale, and its easy to clean and refill with wire, and i can adjust my burn and feed. i welded through highschool and i hate using torches, too annoying, but it made a cleaner weld..... but that shouldnt matter, you should be dressing your welds afterward. practice alot cutting pieces, dressing them, then tacking then running your bead. remember, always keep moving in a small circular pattern when moving in the direction for the best bead.

I think you have a MIG. Home Depot doesn't sell TIGs and TIGs don't get wire refilled--because, well, the wire is in your hand.

Personally, I'd buy the best MIG you can afford. I have a little Lincoln Electric 135amp welder and it works great for most things. But a 220 volt MIG is the best wasy to go. Buy (or rent) a tank of argoshield and away you go. Start with thinner wire like .020" because it's easier to start and control the puddle.

Also, I suggest not fucking around with stick/flux core. The are both the same process, though flux core spools from a gun and stick is, well, a stick. It's not like you're going to be building bridges with the thing.

--Chris

 

[Druro]

In retrospect, I should have gotten a decent MIG with the ability to handle either process... I realize that I'm going to hit a brick wall shortly...

ah well, live and learn.

 

[gahi]

ya, dont mess around with a flux-core only machine. You'll just want to upgrade pretty much immediatly. If I could only have one type of welder, it would be an oxy/acetylene torch. You can weld anything, and cut too. But there is definatly a learning curve, and its not as easy to store. But, I use the tig the most ;D

 

[Druro]

Idealy, I'd like to upgrate to a TIG, but the cost difference between a reasonable MIG and a entry TIG is considerable. I also don't really have the ability to take courses, due to traveling for work on a regular basis. How difficult do you say it is to start on TIG, with having only basic flux-core knowledge?

 

[gahi]

Basically, a TIG is an electronic torch. So, if you've had any experience with oxy/ac youd pick it up quick. The foot pedal just controls the amps, so when you see people pulsing the pedal, thats all they're doing is surging the amps up and down. You do this to get good penentration, but keep from blowing through the material. TIG's are expensive, and if you are going to buy one, make sure you get one that does both AC and DC. That way you can weld aluminum. Also, every tig I've seen, also does arc. TIG's are totally worthless on any metal that isn't clean, so youd be covered with the arc. For years, I only had a Mig and oxy/ac setup. You can do just about everything needed with these two. If you need to do aluminum the oxy/ac will work, but get a mig that has an attachment for a spool gun and you'd be good.

 

[johnson_steve]

My bike is my learning to weld project I have a cheapo harbor freight (we actually have a store here it's awesome) easymig 100 (don't let the name fool you it's a 90 amp wire feed welder.) it cost me just over $100 another $50 for the auto darkening helmet (well worth it) I've welded with oxy/map gas and stick this is so much simpler; it's like a glue gun for steel