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Welding for Dummies?

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MGBGT_noob

MGBGT_noob

Jedi Hopeful
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Hypothetically, let's say someone comes to the realization that a certain project will require a great deal of welding, mostly sheet metal.

This person has never welded in his life.

What type of welding equipment might this person want to consider, that he can teach himself to operate, at home?

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The easiest welding process to learn is M.I.G. {Wirefeed}
for the hobbyist the 110 v, 135 or 140 A machine is sufficient. The gas capable model is desired. There are many threads throughout the tools section on this forum discussing the various aspects of welding. There are, on the wiki also a couple of articles on this subject.
 
In addition to your welding machine, I suggest:

1. Get a good "how to" welding book and keep it with you for reference while you weld.

2. Pick up some sheet metal scraps from your local junkyard to practice on.

It took me several months in my spare time to learn how to weld sheet metal without making it look like swiss cheese or ruffles on a curtain. Welding is a skill acquired through knowledge and practice.
 
roger_abbott said:
1. Get a good "how to" welding book and keep it with you for reference while you weld.
Click to expand...

Any suggestions?

Most of the books I've tried so far seem to go straight from "here's how to set up your equipment" to "here's what your finished weld should look like".

They seem a bit light on technique and practice exercises.
 
I've been around so long that most of my reference books on things mechanical are out of print.

When I need to find a good, current reference book, like one on welding, I visit bookstores, browse what's available and pick one that seems to provide the information I need. Getting matched up to the right training book depends very much on your present skills and what you want to accomplish. What works for me might not suit you at all.

Some of my old books were published by Audel. I think they have been publishing how to books for people in the construction business since the 1920's. They are written in simple, direct language for people who have to learn and apply their knowledge on the job. Take a look at https://www.constructionbook.com/audel-welding-pocket-reference-9780764588099/welding-codes/
to see if it might be what you want.

You might also consider taking a welding/auto body repair course at your local community college. Good luck with Igor and any other LBC projects that come your way.
 
Thanks for the suggestion Roger, I just bought the Audels welding handbook, used, on Amazon for $6.24 delivered.
 
Thanks MM.

I hope to make a few contacts through my local club. Hopefully someone there can mentor me, a bit.
 
I learned to weld not too long ago - I watched the video that came with the welder and bought a book. The best thing was just getting to scrap and trying it. Then smack around the result until it comes apart to see that you didn't get good penetration. Then practice, practice to improve. Didn't take long.
 
Kerry is right - wirefeed MIG welding is the way to go. Referred to as Monkey welding by some, because it's easy enough to teach a monkey to do. (However, they don't like wearing the helmets! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif ) I would also suggest an auto-darkening helmet. I learned with the old-style flip-up-flip-down helmet, but once I bought the auto-darkening kind, I was hooked.

Depending on the project, you might also consider FUSOR. apparently that's the way most auto companies are going now. I'm considering trying that instead of welding my current floor pans in.

Whatever you do, enjoy! And keep us posted.
 
Rob - what is FUSOR?
 
cool - thanks
 
RTR52nd said:
Kerry is right - wirefeed MIG welding is the way to go. Referred to as Monkey welding by some, because it's easy enough to teach a monkey to do. (However, they don't like wearing the helmets! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif ) I would also suggest an auto-darkening helmet. I learned with the old-style flip-up-flip-down helmet, but once I bought the auto-darkening kind, I was hooked.

Depending on the project, you might also consider FUSOR. apparently that's the way most auto companies are going now. I'm considering trying that instead of welding my current floor pans in.

Whatever you do, enjoy! And keep us posted.
Click to expand...

Hey RTR52nd:
I resemble that statement! Yea it musta been me you seen swingin from some structure by one arm with M.I.G. gun in the other hand. An autodarkening helmet is a MUST HAVE especialy when you are clinging on for dear life with one arm, M.I.G. gun in the other hand trying to attach two beams in mid air. Yep Been there done that!
When I first got my auto helmet they were price prohibitive. but now you can get one fairly reasonable there is no excuse not to treat yourself to one.
 
Agreed!

I only got my auto-helmet the beginning of this year, and if I'm not mistaken my wife is now using my old helmet as a planter. See, recycling does work!

John-Peter, sorry for the delayed response. Yes, as Bugeye58 said, it's a panel adhesive. Seems like lots of us are leaning that way now. There's also "Duramax" from 3M, basically the same stuff for basically the same price. Haven't done a side-by-side comparison, so I can't really endorse one over the other.
 
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