Learning to weld

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 2, 2002

Thanks for the generous offer, Gene. I'll probably try to get out there sometime this month and take you up on that. As to 30 being done, it's looking like a never-ending project already. Personally, I'll be happy when it's done just to cut down on the traffic in front of my place.

By the way, I don't live there. I don't own the condemned house or falling down garage and bank barn. The only structure there that's mine is the pole building. I'm working on it little by little. I finally got electricity hooked up just yesterday so that'll help a bunch. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

wroughtn_harv · Aug 2, 2002

Is there really any such thing as "extra" attachment points?.

No.

Never.

Any questions?

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 5, 2002

Two things by way of updates. Saturday I got a flyer from the local community school system about their continuing education classes and they, too, offer a welding program for about half the money. It's fifteen four hour sessions and includes materials and will only cost me $140. Ironically, the price for "non-HS graduates" is only $95. Here all this time I thought education was supposed to be a good thing.

Also, they recommended the ARC welding class first. In fact, it's a prerequisite to the MIG and other classes. While the course title is ARC welding, the description states the emphasis is on basic welding. They don't offer anything entitled oxy-acetelyne but this sounds like it would cover the basics for me. Would this sound like a good way to go for me? Registration is open today and classes start in three weeks.

Hoosier_Daddy · Aug 5, 2002

Gary, You talking about the Anthis Center?

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 5, 2002

Yes, Tom. That's the place.

mikim · Aug 12, 2002

Just picked up some equip for my class - students have to provide their own helmet, gloves etc -- which is fine since I'd want my own anyway. I bought a helmet for $26 , fast change solar lens for $107, cheater lens for $8.50 and clear lens' to protect the other lens' -- for the amount of welding I plan on doing I figure this should work. $150 for a helmet, $7 for gloves , $4 for one of them silly lookin' hats, then the real money for a welder -- I'm going to start shopping the pawn shops around here - maybe pick up a deal. Sure don't want to tie up too much money in equipment -- I won't have money for materials -- then what good would all the toys be?
And if I find I do more than I'm anticipating right now - I can always pick up better equipment later and I won't have lost that much in the start-up. And if I discover I'm not a welder - like I discovered I'm not a brick layer - then the same is true - I haven't lost that much in stuff I'll never be using.
mike

gmason · Aug 12, 2002

My class(stick welding) starts this Thursday and I'm sure I'll need the same things. I've got a auto-darking solar helmet on the way from ebay. I'm hoping this will make a big difference on my welding skills, since it often takes me serveral times of lifting my helmet to get a arc started on the right spot.

gary

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 12, 2002

Yesterday must've been the day to shop for welding class supplies. I bought a Hobart auto darkening helmet, a "chinker" hammer and wire brush. As it turns out, I've been using uninsulated welding gloves for years when I use my winch or tow chains so I already have those. All this time and I had no idea they were for welding. I just liked them because they were a heavier leather with extra long cuffs and came in XXL.

I forgot the silly looking hat, though. I did splurge and spend an extra $1.78 for the American Eagle and US flag design on my helmet instead of getting the plain black one. I figure it'll at least make mine easier to find. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Now I've got to go get one of those hats. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

What's the deal with the "clear lens to protect the other lens" you mentioned?

Hoosier_Daddy · Aug 12, 2002

Gary, You going to Anthis?

EdKing · Aug 12, 2002

What's the deal with the "clear lens to protect the other lens" you mentioned? 

You put a cheap ($0.99) clear plastic lens over the regular lens on your helmet to protect it from spatter. A lot cheaper to replace when it gets hard to see through from the pitting the spatter causes on the lens.

mikim · Aug 13, 2002

What's the deal with the "clear lens to protect the other lens" you mentioned?
I put a clear glass lens in front of the high $ solar one to protect it in the front, a plastic one in the back of it, and another plastic lens in front of the cheaters and behind the flip-up. The cheaters fit inside the helmet in a clip.
mike

bgott · Aug 13, 2002

I sent you an e-mail, I just happen to have a spare Lincoln AC buzz box that might be right up your alley!

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 13, 2002

Tom,

I haven't registered yet but it's either there or Ivy Tech. I need to recheck class times but if I can I'll do Anthis and save the $100. Are you going to take a welding class at one of those, too?

Hoosier_Daddy · Aug 13, 2002

Thinking about it..... Always wanted to... Not sure if I can do Anthis... I live in Huntington County......

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 13, 2002

I'm not sure about residency requirements. I wasn't asked about mine when I called them. If you send me a private message I'll be happy to send you the phone number if you don't have it. It's adult education or continuing education so residency may not matter especially as it's a state sponsored program.

If your residence does eliminate Anthis for you there is still the option of taking the class at Ivy Tech. Let me know if there's anything you need I might be able to offer. Good luck./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

genelp · Aug 14, 2002

Hello Gary, I haven't looked at this site for awhile (busy at the Fleet). I just wanted to mention that you don't need one of those "silly looking hats" /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, a shop towel will do.

I definitely recommend one of the auto-darkening lenses. When I was a Shop Supervisor, I used to train new employees to weld and got flash burned from them quite often when lifting my helmet to see why they hadn't started welding yet, (espcially when teaching them to stick weld). After awhile my eyes seemed to be getting so sensitive that I switched to an extra-dark lens. A few months ago, I did some welding on a personal project (it's been about 6 years since I last touched a welder). My eyes were sore the next day. So either I've been flash-burned a few too many times, or maybe my eyes are just more sensitive since I'm ol...ol...old.... older./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

Gene

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 14, 2002

Gene, I already bought a silly looking helmet (Big American Eagle and US Flag logo on either side) so I may as well get the hat, too. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I did get the auto darkening lenses. It supposedly darkens in 1/11,000th of a second and is adjustable from level 9 to level 13. I'm having trouble finding unlined welding gloves in the size I need. Apparently Hobart thinks one size fits all. Yeah, right.

genelp · Aug 15, 2002

I'll ask the guys in the shops where they buy theirs. I think one size does fit all, they are just more comfortable for some people. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Gene

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 16, 2002

Gene,

I looked like OJ trying to fit my big hands into those things. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Mosey · Aug 16, 2002

Gary - I took a course in welding at a community college in Michigan close to where I grew up. It has served me well all these years. I only learned stick welding and gas welding, so I don't know how to use a wire or MIG or any other fancy stuff. Not only are those types of classes very helpful, they're also lots of fun! I hope you enjoy yours and find it rewarding!