Rookie Welder....Where to start?

[DCRC]

Wire feed might be an easy way to start but you will probably do a lot of welding (practice) and end up with a good looking weld that won't hold anything. I'd say start with stick then consider wire-feed.

I disagree. Welding with a mig will be alot easier to start with and less intimidating. With practice and some instructions you will be able to tell the difference between a good and bad weld. Most welding mistakes with a mig are not enough heat or to much wire speed.

That's why it's important to take lessons or have a mentor. Just like taken golf lessons. You get a little instruction and alot of practice, than go back for more instructions.

I mig with gas is alot easier to see the puddle, and doesn't make a bunch of slag like a stick welder.

You also have much more versatillity with a mig welder.

Car I'm currently working on. Twin turbo Pro 5.0 mustang

 

[knute_m]

With all the welding posts here on TBN, there is always lots of good advice. Do a search on "welding" and you'll find more than you can digest.

Over the last 45 years I've done a lot of hobby welding - gas, stick, and MIG/flux-core.

For the past couple of years, I've had a little 120 volt / 140 amp Lincoln MIG/flux-core welder. I just use it with flux-core wire, although it came with all the gas setups, except for the tank.

It easily welds up to 1/4-inch material. I've not yet found anything I couldn't do with it here on the homestead -- and it runs off a standard outlet or my generator.

MIG / Flux-core is relatively easy to learn. With a little practice, it is just a little more sophisticated than using a hot glue gun.

As others have said -- stick to the name brands (Lincoln, Miller, Hobart). Take a community college course if you can.

Good luck,
Knute