First time welding

[Mysfyt]

Nastiest thing I ever did was start my hair on fire (back when I had hair) with an air arc. I think it was only the second or third time using it. Man, that was one wicked process!

Another time I was using a Stihl cut off saw and the sparks caught the leg of my coveralls on fire. The coverall material was polyester, and when I slapped the fire out with my hand, the polyester (plastic) stuck to my hand! Ouch!

 

[jodebg]

I've always wanted to weld, as well.

Any advise as to what welder to buy ( as well as other necessary equipment)
for welding steel?

Also advise as to good videos to help learn
the basic knowledge that is needed to get up to speed?

 

[CNC Dan]

I've always wanted to weld, as well.

Any advise as to what welder to buy ( as well as other necessary equipment)
for welding steel?

Also advise as to good videos to help learn
the basic knowledge that is needed to get up to speed?

The best videos are from a guy named Jody Colier.
weldingtipsandtricks on youtube

And: Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Also check out weldingweb.
And Miller - Welding Equipment - MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutting

 

[Fawken]

I've always wanted to weld, as well.

Any advise as to what welder to buy ( as well as other necessary equipment)
for welding steel?

Also advise as to good videos to help learn
the basic knowledge that is needed to get up to speed?

I've been stick welding for 40 plus years and this year I started TIG AC/DC. Been using the AHP Alpha 200 for about 6 months and the only thing I don't like about it is the owners manual. Everything else is rock solid. For a beginning welder you can't miss. Does DC stick (fantastic arc), AC/DC TIG both up to 200 amps and will run on 220v or 110v. You'll find welding is lots of fun. Start with stick and work up to TIG.

 

[k0ua]

I've been stick welding for 40 plus years and this year I started TIG AC/DC. Been using the AHP Alpha 200 for about 6 months and the only thing I don't like about it is the owners manual. Everything else is rock solid. For a beginning welder you can't miss. Does DC stick (fantastic arc), AC/DC TIG both up to 200 amps and will run on 220v or 110v. You'll find welding is lots of fun. Start with stick and work up to TIG.

This is what I did also. The advantages of stick are versatility and low cost. Low cost to buy initially, and low cost to operate. It is also very simple. MIG is generally agreed to be the easiest to learn but is more expensive to purchase, more expensive to operate, and has a lot more complexity. (moving parts and pieces). All of the process's have their place and advantages and disadvantages. But I will say this, for a $269 original investment, my little Everlast PA160 DC stick welder has certainly been a good investment. With the addition of some ebay parts (regulator and TIG torch) I have a setup that does all I need to do. From heavy steel welding to welding small parts of steel and other metals (for example copper) I do most of what needs done.

 

[Shield Arc]

Before wire feeders came into construction, I think most members here would be shocked at what we built with SMAW / stick welders. All in one day you might go from building chain / belt guards out of 16-GA material, to welding structural beams 1 1/2" thick.

 

[RPW]

Most of my welding out my property has been with stick and with rusty pipe I'm using for fence posts.
If I could get the metal clean enough I'd prefer to use MIG. A whole lot easier than stick.