Pre-Welding for a novice

[JasonL]

Ok, not sure where to post this, but I need a quick lesson about welding. I've searched the subject here, but most of it is over my head. Can someone explain the basics? I know there are at least 3 different types of welders, but don't understand the differences. Any basic info would be great. I can make about anything with wood, but am finding out tractors aren't made of wood /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif-- so I need to develop some new skills because I like to make things. Steer me in the right direction please! Thanks Jason

 

[mark777]

JasonL

The contemporary ways are Stcik, Wire (MIG), and gas OxyAcetylene. If I may suggest a visit to Lincoln or Miller website and actually get the whole rundown, including some interesting video clips of actual welds being performed and all the definitions of wire, rod and applications.

Mark

 

[johnday]

Jason; There are acouple very accomplished weldors on this site, but it's pretty hard to give you any lessons without the hands on. There is another site I belong to called WeldTalk. There's a lot of guys there too. The best bet, unless you know some weldors, is to take a welding course at maybe your local community college. You'll never regret it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And don't forget TIG. Definetly not for beginners, but super nice beads when you get good! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GaryE]

Jason,

May I suggest checking into your local adult education classes in your area. Many offer beginner welding classes. Anyone can weld, but bad habits / techniques are hard to overcome.

Gary

 

[JasonL]

Thanks guys. I will definately be looking into classes. I guess I just felt to ignorant to even ask intelligent questions about the subject. I'll try to find the websites that were mentioned, and I do know a few welders, so I guess thats where to begin. Is there a simple way of explaining the different types? Jason

 

[thingy]

Well,,,the basic methods are stick welding,,,,that requires a transformer type welder,,[one you plug in],,and a generator type welder,,[one you put gas in],,,the best kind for beginners,[or most other people],,,,g.m.a.w.,,,[gas metal arc] "mig",,,it runs off transformer or generator,,,instead of a "stick",,you got a roll of wire and generally a shielding gas,,,,G.T.A.W.,,,[gas tungstun arc welding],,,'t.i.g.",,,,you got a heat source coming off a tungstun,,rod,,,and you add filler metal in the form of hand fed piece of wire,,,either transformer,,or generator type,,,,oxyecetaline,,,,,of course,,,uses fire to melt base metal and you add a hand held piece of wire as a filler,,,many others,,,,but thats all you will every,[probably],be doing. Its all about,,,putting two pieces of metal close together and heating them up to melting point and fusing them together,,,you can add a filler metal to increase weld size,,,and thus,,,generally speaking,,fill in gaps,,and add strength........Best,,simplest kind of a welder to start with,,and learn on,,is a stick welder,,,220 plug in kind,,,make sure it has a rectifier that will inable you to put out a direct current,,"d.c.",,some just put out what they get in,,,"a.c.",,,or,,alternating current....Better than that,,,get a motor generator stick welder,,,,,puts out d.c.,,,has plug ins for grinders,,,portable,,,,can t.ig.,,,,with it,,,and if you get a big enough one,,,can plug a g.m.a.w.. welder/feeder into it,,,,thingy

 

[JasonL]

Thanks thingy- thats just what I needed! I think it is starting to make sense to me. Jason

 

[thingy]

Yes sir,,,,,,pround to help,,,hobart/miller,,,and lincoln,,,is the brands of welders you want to consider buying,,,,if you got the money,,,get a motor generator one,,,,,d.c.output,,,thats important,,,,,,talk to a local welding supply man,,,now that you know what you want,,,if you ain't got about 3,000 to spend,,,and if you got a good electric supply of 220/230,,than you can get a transformer box but make sure it has a rectifier built in,,to change a.c. into d.c.,,,can get one of those for maybe 400-500 dollars,,don't know,,have to check around,,best to start with the best,,,you can actually save money,,and learn faster that way,,,,,and if your serious,,about learning to weld,,,nothing like a night class at a local community college or the like,,,you get machines,,,free metal to practice on,,etc,,,and hopefully a teacher that will help you,,,,,thingy

 

[Soundguy]

You've gotten great advice.. go to class for real info. If you are going to be a limited/casual welder.. and just want something to glue 2 pieces of metal together.. find an old buzzbox.. big 'tombstone' ac job.. like a 225 amp ac welder. the are all but bullet proof.. and the high current lets you glue pretty big things together... even thru paint and rust.

not the prettyiest weld.. and not as versatile as a DCEN welder.. but they get the job done..cheaply

Soundguy

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> find an old buzzbox.. big 'tombstone' ac </font>

Now if you want old, my ol buzzbox [R2D2 shaped thing] makes the tombstones look styled /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sure are indestructable.

Anyway as Soundguy put it, if you want to do it right, follow the earlier advice. Else, the AC stick units are pretty easy to find cheap and will get it done (mostly the red Lincoln "tombstones" [I like that description, Soundguy! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif] around here).

That said, if your welding needs are few, but you need versatility, I'd start with oxy-actelylene [couple hundred$ + tank purchase or contract]: cutting, brazing, welding, heating, pre-heating, anything else requiring concentrated heat. Welding this way isn't for the impatient; I like it on occasion, but also have the AC [remember, you may stumble across an AC for under $100].