Teach Yourself Stick Welding from Square One (Videos)

[Shield Arc]

Here in the Seattle area you can request by name your entire crew out of the union hall. So we had a tendency to work around the same guys all the time. A click if you will. It has happened to me more than a few times. Something go wrong in the boom of the crane, 150-years of experience standing around trying to figure out what to do.:confused3: A first year apprentice walks up and says why don't we do it this way? Everybody looks at each other and some one would laugh and say yeah why not.:laughing:

 

[DXN1EL]

I really need to start practicing :duh: My welder has been sitting next to my bed, I have almost forgot the smell

I left the leads clamped on the table I made, Today I went and grab the clamp the thing and it felt apart. Any way I need a new clamp. Is this decent?

 

[Shield Arc]

That is the kind of ground clamp I use. That is a very good price,:shocked: I didn't know Harbor Freight had those!

 

[flusher]

As good as a video might be, having a qualified welder right beside you is still the best way to learn welding. A video is a great learning tool but just can't teach you the same as someone in person. You could watch a 100 videos trying to learn welding and I bet an hour with Shield Arc would teach you more than 100 hours of video's could.

You can learn a lot of stick welding info from videos in a short time. I recommend the videos from Wall Mountain

Wall Mountain Company, Inc.

What takes the time is developing the eye/hand coordination; developing muscle memory so you can hold the rod angle and gap; developing the habit of watching the puddle, not the arc; and learning how to control rod speed and motion so you get good tie-in between the puddle and the base metal. There's no shortcut, just practice, practice, practice. Most novice welders tend to run the bead to quickly and have to develop the habit of slowing down to give the puddle time to do its work.

 

[Arc weld]

I bought the Wall Mountain video of oxy/acetylene welding on sale to check it out. I paid $14 but the regular price was something like $29:shocked: It was good but was missing a few points. The biggest one was there was no mention at all of having and keeping a keyhole when butt welding. This is mandatory for full penetration and strength. The other thing it mentioned was setting gas pressures with the gauges. The best way to set gas pressures for O/A welding is to use the regulators but to completely ignore what the gauges say! The gauges could broken or non existent and you could equalize the torch more accurately. I don't think any manufacturer would want to admit their gauges aren't accurate or even needed. Once the acetylene jumps the end of a specific size of tip, indicates the max flow the tip can use. Add oxygen to get a neutral flame and you're equalized. That's the condensed version but covers it in a nutshell.

I think videos would be an enhancement to hands on instruction but nothing beats actual one on one in real time.

 

[ChuckE2009]

Lanse is a good kid! There is a special place in my heart for him. I think the world of him.

That's awesome, Shield Arc!! You're a great guy, and I really do appreciate the kind words

 

[ChuckE2009]

Thanks everyone!! People sure do seem to be enjoying this series, I'll put together a MIG and a couple TIG series' in the future. Glad y'all like the videos

 

[Hiltz]

Ive watched these videos in the past on youtube. I don't know why anyone would complain or make bad comments about them. I found them very informative and also entertaining too. The young guy is also very likeable. Just the kind of person you would like to be around.

 

[ChuckE2009]

Ive watched these videos in the past on youtube. I don't know why anyone would complain or make bad comments about them. I found them very informative and also entertaining too. The young guy is also very likeable. Just the kind of person you would like to be around.

Meh, it takes all kinds I guess. I get overall very positive feedback tho, so its not a big deal...

Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoy the videos

 

[rankrank1]

Some members over there didn't like the idea of Lance making a few pennies off of You Tube. They reported him every time he posted a video, then voiced their displeasure about him making money. Personally I could care less what ever he makes, I say more power to him!

We all have the very same opportunity that Lanse/Chucke2009 does to use Youtube to make a little money as Youtube is open to everyone.

Oh but to make a little money at it you have to put in the time and effort to make the videos, actually be good at making them, and be enjoyable to watch so people will watch them. Only then you will make a little money.

Course most people too lazy to do any of that so it is easier to complain about someone else putting forth that effort that they are otherwise too lazy or unskilled to do.

Darn it Shieldarc it is so unfair that you made a very good living welding/rigging in your career. Those same companies that hired you should have paid me to weld just as they did for you. No matter that I have zero formal training in welding, spent very little practice time honing my craft, and frankly just not a natural at it either, nor is my vision very good. Heck those companies should have flown me from Ohio to the west coast (1st class mandatory) each and every weekend in the name of job fairness. For that matter, I should also be the quarterback of the Denver Bronco too instead of Peyton Manning; again in the name of fairness. (LOL rant)

I bet all those same crybaby complainers demand the very best doctor that can be found for them instead of worrying about doctor fairness when it comes to their personal medical treatment. Of course With welfare and Medicaid picking up the tab for them then no expense should be spared either.

I treat Chucke2009 videos just like I do the TV. If I like em, then I watch them (often multiple times). If I do not like them then I do not watch and turn the channel (Youtube or TV).