Welding basics for a newbie

[KeithT]

I am going to weigh in here since I just went through a similar process.

I did some stick welding and brazing with a torch 20 years ago when i took an auto mechanics course. I just built a house and had the room to build a 900 square foot shop on the property. I wanted a welder for work on a car i am restoring and for maintaining my equipment. I wanted to buy one welder that i would hopefully be happy with for a lot of years.

I settled on a Miller 180 auto-set that i purchased from a local welding shop. I have picked up the technique quickly and have used it from every thing to making a simple bracket to hang an air stapler off a step ladder to making new mounting points and welding them to my tractor for the chain stays on my 3PH. It is very simple to use, turn a dial to the metal thickness, dial in your wire diameter, and turn on the argon gas. I love it. I bought a miller auto darkening helmet, gloves, and welding coat. I am in the market now for a plasma cutter....

My goal was ease of use, not "outgrowing" the machine too soon, and support from a welding shop. I am happy on all accounts so far.

 

[Scotty370]

I didn't mention in my last post: I was always pretty handy in a wood shop, but was "dead in the water" when it came to steel fabrication. I started entering the field with a Oxy/Ace torch! It's still super to have a "Smoke-Wrench"! Two other suggestions: A Torch set and a Chop Saw! I always try to fab-fit all my parts, and clean the metal with a wire wheel or grinder as much as I can! I know 6011 can 'blow-through' rust/paint/dirt, but I need all the breaks I can get, before 'sparkin'-up'!!! You'll absolutely love it! It's a whole new world of selffabricationsatisfaction! (That's a word??) ~Scotty

 

[dex3361]

I certified Vertical Overhead and Horizontal in stick welding over 25 years ago and I would classify myself a utility welder, lets say I have never welded as a profession. I have always been partial to dc stick welders even though my first welder was an Hobart ac and I had it for over 20 years without any issues. I used 6011 and 7018 ac rods. I will add that when welding don't use a rod larger in diameter than the metal is thick it is better to have to have the rod a little smaller than the metal is thick. I have used 1/16th inch rods on thin stuff and it works ok. I also will use a copper plate to back up a weld that will tend to blow through, try it sometime (the copper has never welded into the metal).

 

[Jeepnford]

If you can take a welding class,it will go a long way in helping you decide what will work best for you. I bought a Miller 251 MIG machine,not because MIG is "easier" but because it will do almost everything I need. I will buy an AC/DC stick machine later. I weld about equally with either.

 

[bobodu]

Stick welder hands down AC/DC is nice if you want to spend the extra money.
I don't weld a lot of mufflers or do horse shoe nail sculptures so I have no use whatsoever for MIG.

 

[Bill_C]

The welding class is an excellent idea; it will expose you to all types of welding processes as well as giving close-up instruction.

Then you will be able to determine which machine/process fits your needs. What YOU need may not be the same as what I need, or what other folks need.

Some folks weld thin metal once every few months, some weld heavy steel all day, some weld aluminum, some stainless steel, some weld outdoors, some weld in a production shop...There isn't a one-size-fits-all "best" welder or welding process.

 

[DanD78]

There is not a all in one welder out there. Welders are kind of like my wifes sewing machines. One machine will not do it all. You can get a constant current/constant voltage power supply and add a wire feeder to it. You will have a mig welder and a stick welder with one power supply.

If you have a DC welder give lincoln 60105P+ rods a try. They are the same as the 6011 but run better out of position. You can run 1/8", 6010 and 3/32", 7018 at the same welder setting. Pipe welders run the root pass with 6010 and cap it with 7018. You can also get mig wire with the same PSI rating.

Dan

 

[flusher]

What would y'all recomend for a basic welder for home/farm light welding use? Over the years I have needed a few things welded and ended up having to ask friends to do the job or haul the project to a shop for welding.

Mostly it would be very light projects. Other than shop class many years ago where I did a little stick welding I have little experance with welders.

What would be the best type of welder for home/farm use? I know there are several basic type like the AC/DC, Flux wire, Gas wire.

Which in long term be least expensive to operate considering welding supplies, electric use, etc.

What brands should be considered?

Any other must haves? Welding hood, gloves, grinders....

Can't get more basic than an AC/DC stick welder (mine is a Hobart LX). Get yourself a box of 1/8" 7014 and 7024 drag rods and you'll be making good welds in no time. 7024 is easy to use, but only works in the horizontal position. 7014 works in all positions. I run DC+ at 120-140 amps.

 

[JB4310]

7024 is easy to use, but only works in the horizontal position.

Yup, I call it caulking with metal, it's so easy. If I can flip something over to get it flat I'll go with the 24.

Just got the Thunderbolt DC, after using AC for 30 years. It is a little neater with less spatter all over the parts your working on. I've been welding forever but am just now getting a little better.

Anyone know about the 7018ac rods, I know you have to have the ac rod for an ac machine, but I think I read that the ac rod can also be used with dc machine. Are the 7018's that are not marked ac that much better with a dc welder?

JB.

 

[DonT-B7500]

I second as welding class being the first and most useful thing you can do. I took a non-credit 6wk class at my local community collage. It was the best class of any kind that I've ever taken. We got exposed to all types of welding, were able to use all the machinery and had an instructor that showed you the correct way to do things. They couldn't get the students to leave at the end of the night. But after trying all the different types you can make an informed intelligent decision on what type of equipment will best suit your needs.