Welding - next step

[Carol in CA]

Having acquired a mig welder and a plasma cutter over Christmas, it was time to get serious about learning how to use the equipment properly.

Found this: Stack of Dimes Welding Seminars - Home about 50 miles from me. First class Saturday, Feb. 7.

Stoked!

 

[Shield Arc]

Good for you!:thumbsup::thumbsup: He sure seems to be qualified to teach welding.

 

[Shield Arc]

Carol something to think about when you go to class on Saturday. Ask the instructor if at some point you could take your Mig welder into class and let him find the sweet spots for you. Maybe different size wire, and all positions. Take a note book and write down the settings.
Mig welding is the easiest process to learn. The hard part is learning how to set the machine, and know how to read the puddle, and make corrections.

 

[zoedog2012]

SA, You have a scowl after the power arc 200 but you posted a shot with a tig job that looked great. Comments, as I have PA 200st and recently got tig torch from Everlast. Came with a 7 pin connector, where does that go? Thanks.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never seen a PA-200ST. You'll have to ask Mark, he can tell you real quick.

 

[AKweldshop]

SA, You have a scowl after the power arc 200 but you posted a shot with a tig job that looked great. Comments, as I have PA 200st and recently got tig torch from Everlast. Came with a 7 pin connector, where does that go? Thanks.

That's not a scowl.

That's a cool face.

 

[Carol in CA]

I had already planned to take both the mig welder and the plasma cutter along. I will also have my smartphone to take pictures and make notes, and a notebook and pencil. Now I am praying my terrible back which has been a real pain lately doesn't incapacitate me. I am really looking forward to this!

 

[Shield Arc]

Just think of all the money you will save making your own repairs, and building things!

Sorry to hear about your bad back.

 

[woodskiff]

Carol something to think about when you go to class on Saturday. Ask the instructor if at some point you could take your Mig welder into class and let him find the sweet spots for you. Maybe different size wire, and all positions. Take a note book and write down the settings.
Mig welding is the easiest process to learn. The hard part is learning how to set the machine, and know how to read the puddle, and make corrections.

Great advice Carol...my son and I are taking our new Lincoln PowerMig 210MP into a welding class with the instructor at the VOTec school. Exactly what the instructor also said--find the sweet spots on the machine.

 

[Carol in CA]

Report back from the class! Great teacher. Morning went by very quickly. Hardly had time to make notes. Turns out I was the only student this morning, so I had to really focus. I am much better than when I began. I need lots of practice. It was fun. I learned ow to find the sweet spot by listening and adjusting on the fly. Only took three tries to get the sweet spot by ear and then I did it three times in a row after he de-adjusted the machine! LOL! I was lucky, he said. Hadn't yet formed any bad habits! Hadn't ever tried it before, either!

I got some notes on what to purchase, what to stay away from, where the better deals are around where I live, and even how to keep my back from killing me. All in all a great experience and well worth every dime. Stack of Dimes Seminars if you are in Southern California.

Can't wait until next weekend when I hope I have time to play by myself. Have to pick up some practice iron and a 4" grinder this week.

 

[Shield Arc]

Great deal Carol! I'm really happy for you:thumbsup:. Concentrate on the sound of the weld, it tells you every thing that is going on with the weld.

 

[dragoneggs]

Great deal Carol! I'm really happy for you:thumbsup:. Concentrate on the sound of the weld, it tells you every thing that is going on with the weld.

Probably the best advice I got from SA.

 

[dragoneggs]

Getting sick of double posts and having to delete one. Happening way too much.

 

[Big Barn]

Getting sick of double posts and having to delete one. Happening way too much.

Not as bad as trying to fix or delete sideways photos.

Terry

 

[mikehaugen]

Getting sick of double posts and having to delete one. Happening way too much.

I don't even bother deleting them anymore.

Not as bad as trying to fix or delete sideways photos.

Terry

If I am posting a picture from my phone I make sure I take the picture with the phone sideways.

 

[Big Barn]

I don't even bother deleting them anymore. If I am posting a picture from my phone I make sure I take the picture with the phone sideways.

My sideways ones were taken off my camera roll right side up. First time it's done that

Terry

 

[CNC Dan]

Great deal Carol! I'm really happy for you:thumbsup:. Concentrate on the sound of the weld, it tells you every thing that is going on with the weld.

Sure does. That's how I maintain my arc length when stick welding, by the sound. That leaves my eyes free to watch the puddle.

And I've found that if I need to tig on thin steel (18ga) using the pluser lets me hear if I'm getting too close with the tungsten (too quiet).