Total welding newie here

[Sodo]

SA is a real gentleman who has tried very hard to "pay it forward" in his retirement. He had no requirement but he wants and feels a need to help others learn how to be better at whatever they are trying to do. He also taught me how to sharpen drill bits by hand.

What have you offered to help folks learn how to do or improve themselves?

I helped by trying to get this hobby/maintenance welding forum to be a little more aligned to the hobbyist or newbie. I've done how-to threads, helped lots, more than most members, but less than some.

I tried to help a guy on his board and batten and thought I did help. I actually DID a small board and batten project about a year ago, and simply shared what I learned. Glad you got your board widths worked out and maybe by the time you get up on the ladder you will be happy to been forewarned of important B&B nailing details.

Sodo get over it.
You are not and have not been the help that you think you are.

…..I bet you're wrong. I bet lots of members prefer a more helpful forum environment and are relieved somebody actually asked for it.

Understood that Shield Arc could be a nice old guy who maybe doesn't know how he's coming across over the internet, and truly is just trying to help but he's calling perfectly servicable welds crap…..thats really no help at all. Good for you adding a personal note about Shield Arc the person that's an important reminder.

(Shield) You have 3,800 posts of which I'll guess 38 = 1% were useful to the same 2 or 3 pro welders who already knew it (yourself included).

I looked at 10 or 20 other posts of his, they were good, attentive help. I was wrong on my post (above). But his posts advising Carol were almost useless and the little story about the Hobart…..what the heck was that? Maybe I took bait.

I suspect Carol got her answer. Reasonable people told her that a 120v welder is great for a newbie and a LOT can be done well with it. I bet it's also good that this is buried off on the dregs of Carols post - some necessary things were discussed and maybe it doesn't need any further attention.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Sodo, et al...
It's sort of like this, some people drive bigger tractors than others. What you have I call a toy, and don't have much use for them. I helped field test the original prototype B series way back in the 90's. But they were woefully underpowered and took forever to do what needed to be done. Serious farmers won't typically buy one. But there are occasions, where every farmer would give his right remaining top tooth to have a smaller size tractor like that if nothing else to mow his lawn...but generally find a way to get the job done with a tractor too big for the job. It won't happen the other way around...but according to your signature line, you probably shouldn't have a bigger tractor, and the one you have is big enough for your expectations.

 

[Reverser]

But there are occasions, where every farmer would give his right remaining top tooth.............

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Arc weld]

I hope Carol is still around. I think what a lot of people seem to forget is that Shield Arc, Mark, myself and every other person who ever picked up a stinger, weren't born welders. We had to learn and made a lot of really crappy and embarrassing welds along the way. I don't know how this has all of a sudden became a hobbyist form but that makes no difference. Posters are looking for welding advice. I think I speak for all of us and say that what we bring to the table is real world experience. Are we expecting newbie's to make welds that took us years to master, no. Above anything else we are trying to provide sound advice based on years of experience to help people improve their welding, make smart informed decisions and make it more enjoyable.

Anybody can buy a welder and attempt to stick stuff together but whether you're a 70 year old newbie like Carol or a certified nuclear welder, you should always take pride in your work and try to do the best job you can. Dismissing that and making excuses because this is only a "hobbyist" forum and posting pictures of projects that were hastily slapped together isn't helping anyone to improve their skills. What it is more likely to do is reinforce what the the "pro's" have been saying all along. Try to make it look professional. Unfortunately, some people are too stubborn to admit they could have done a better job if they had wanted too. I can guarantee that 80 hours with Shield Arc or another experienced welder could produce welds that look professional.

 

[Furu]

I hope Carol is still around. I think what a lot of people seem to forget is that Shield Arc, Mark, myself and every other person who ever picked up a stinger, weren't born welders. We had to learn and made a lot really crappy and embarrassing welds along the way. I don't know how this has all of a sudden became a hobbyist form but that makes no difference. Posters are looking for welding advice. I think I speak for all of us and say that what we bring to the table is real world experience. Are we expecting newbie's to make welds that took us years to master, no. Above anything else we are trying to provide sound advice based on years of experience to help people improve their welding, make smart informed decisions and make it more enjoyable.

Anybody can buy a welder and attempt to stick stuff together but whether you're a 70 year old newbie like Carol or a certified nuclear welder, you should always take pride in your work and try to do the best job you can. Dismissing that and making excuses because this is only a "hobbyist" forum and posting pictures of projects that were hastily slapped together isn't helping anyone to improve their skills. What it is more likely to do is reinforce what the the "pro's" have been saying all along. Try to make it look professional. Unfortunately, some people are too stubborn to admit they could have done a better job if they had wanted too. I can guarantee that a few weeks with Shield Arc or another experienced welder could produce welds that look professional.

Thank you and very well said.

 

[Sodo]

Arc, I'm still trying to find out what is your perspective, where you're coming from.

If you're sticking metal together, you're making stuff, right? Lets see that track groomer, or a problem you solved. Welding for more than a few years you must have something laying around you could show. It doesn't have to be at your job, it can be a hobby project. You make some fairly presumptive assertions as to how members ought to conduct their creative endeavors, or at least what pictures they ought to post, so lets see your examples.

 

[Arc weld]

My perspective? I'm trying to offer sound advice to help people based on my experience. My welding sucked when I first started but eventually I got my pressure ticket and was doing 100% x-ray welds. Having good teachers and experienced welders helped me immensely along the way. I don't have any pictures of projects I've made but I certainly wouldn't post pictures of shoddy workmanship and try to pass myself off as having 40 years experience welding. Shield Arc could weld circles around me but I'm sure there's a few tricks I've learned that could impress him. If you really wanted I could point out some faults with your workmanship but you'd just make excuses for it. I've been known to grind out welds because I didn't like the look of them. Maybe that's what separates a craftsman from a hobbyist?:confused3:

 

[Carol in CA]

Guys, this has gone way off track. If I could lock this thread I would. How about giving it a rest? You are not helping.

 

[Sodo]

Carol, don't believe the hype about overbuying welders. Start with a 120v welder. Use the gas, not flux-core which costs more but the results are worth it, and you will learn faster when it's easier (with the gas). I highly recommend any of the 120v welders, Hobart, Lincoln, Miller, I've used them all. The Lincoln seemed to weld sheetmetal better (very thin metal). I haven't used Everlast but I bet they are fine.

I do not aspire to be a pro. I am a 70 year old lady who breaks some things and conjurers up others. I am thinking the 120v machine will do just fine. On the rare occasion I would require something beyond the capabilities of my machine or skill level, I'll find a guy with the bigger machine. Budget is very modest as I don't expect to use this all that often.

I suspect Carol got her answer. Reasonable people told her that a 120v welder is great for a newbie and a LOT can be done well with it.

Well there ya go! The answer could have been done in 3 posts! :laughing:

 

[Reverser]

Arc weld, you need to come down from your high place of prominence, and talk nicely to us mere mortals.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of chest pounding and braggadocio here at times and it's not helpful. We have to glean out bits of information that is helpful to us midst a paragraph of self promotion.

And too, there seems to be frequent criticism of peoples personal welding machines. Saying they are door stops or dumpster fodder, boat anchor, or whatever, without regard as to what a person can actually afford or really needs for their particular application.

Also, the last time I looked, this website is a tractor forum, which includes farmers, or anyone that enjoys or works with a tractor, including hobbyists.

No one wants to be looked down upon and criticized for showing a weld or project that isn't professionally done. People appreciate getting advice in a kind, tactful, and respectful way. Not from those who are opinionated and won't listen to reason themselves.
It seems at times there are those who lurk here ready to pounce on someone who says or shows a pic that they can tear apart.

There, I've said my piece. :2cents: