Welding for beginners, where to start?

**Steam** · 27th August 2008, 20:22

I need to learn to weld, but I can't go to night classes because I have a job that always finishes late.
Is it possible to teach myself from a book or website or something?

I always come up with freakin' fantastic ideas for interesting projects, but they usually involve welding something, so I decided it's time to get off my arse and learn how.

An aged greybeard I know can give me an old but good Arc welder, and I have lots of time to learn and practise.

Those of you who weld already, is learning Arc welding myself a realistic proposition?

My first project will be a massively sturdy cargo/pannier frame for my bike for carrying stuff around the farm I'm moving to.

**davereid** · 27th August 2008, 20:31

Its great if you can learn from someone, but an old stick welder is not that tricky to use. Practice is the key. Just get stuck in.

**AllanB** · 27th August 2008, 20:31

Arc is good for heavier stuff - building trailers, joining thicker metals etc - I have one and you can even get very small rods and if skilled even tack up muffler pipes etc. Bloody handy to have. Good for gates, trailers etc.

It does require a degree of learnt skill and the more you do the better it is - even if you have not welded for a few months with arc its good to have a few test runs to get into the groove again.

I'd recommend trying Mig - easier (set it up and point and squirt). These welders have got a lot cheaper and most come with detailed instructions and I've seen a brand with an instruction DVD. If you can find someone with one to try you'll be surprised how easy it is to use (when the machine is correctly set). Plus you can do a lot more with this, alloy, stainless etc.

**Ocean1** · 27th August 2008, 20:41

Course you can learn to weld from books, plenty good ones around.

Better option is to buy a dozen beer and bribe the greybeard to spend an hour or two showing you the basics. It'd save you fookin' hours of frustrating early fuckups.

Either way, shout yourself a fresh packet of 2.5mm GP rods and raid the local engineering shop's scrap bin. Also, (most important) sort yourself out a good workspace, a bench and a seat, trying to learn on the floor isn't good, get comfortable.

Oh, keep the rods in the hot water cupboard, or somewhere dry, if they get damp they're bloody useless.

**Ixion** · 27th August 2008, 21:08

Yep, sure is. Maybe not a GOOD welder, but good enough to tack pannier frames together and such. Maybe not critical loadbearing stuff.

It's not too hard to get to the stage of making strong welds in the sort of steel bikers usually deal with (ie we're not talking massive RSJs here).Getting nice clean welds , with that lovely gentle ripple, that's another matter

Just one point: Even a small stick welder will draw a fairly whopping current. Might pay to make sure that the (presumably) elderly wiring in this shack of your can take 15 amps or so.

**deanohit** · 27th August 2008, 21:19

I taught myself to stick weld when I was about 15.
The more you do it, the easier it is.
Find some books, scrap steel, and practice striking an arc first up.

It's also easier to strike an arc when the rods are warm, like fresh out of the hotwater cupboard.
they can be a bitch to start when real cold.

**Motu** · 27th August 2008, 21:30

In this day and age arc welding is the best option for a low bucks learner - all other methods need gas of some sort,which is bloody expensive.Don't even think about gasless MIG,it's not remotely related to welding.I have some nice welding gear here,but to get them gassed up is beyond my budget.Learning arc will make you a better welder than someone who starts out with oh so easy MIG welding - you will have to learn how to control the slag....downhand,vertical and overhead.To have the slag pop off by itself or one chip of the hammer and show a perfect weld is a satisfying experience.

Personally I really like gas welding - it's an art form.You don't have the back up of a power station to supply the heat,you have to apply and control it yourself.

**Steam** · 27th August 2008, 21:41

Originally Posted by Ixion

Just one point: Even a small stick welder will draw a fairly whopping current. Might pay to make sure that the (presumably) elderly wiring in this shack of your can take 15 amps or so.

There ain't no electrickery in my shack, it's the very best of 19th Century technology for me. No, the power is at the farmhouse, which has a pretty good workshop.

Thanks for all your answers folks, I'll give it a go.

**Ocean1** · 27th August 2008, 21:48

Originally Posted by Motu

To have the slag pop off by itself or one chip of the hammer...

...and shoot up yer sleeve and stick, smoldering into the flesh of yer elbow, refusing to be dislodged short of violent and prolonged excavation with a screwdriver...

**gijoe1313** · 27th August 2008, 21:51

Ayup what the others said, I did night school for Arc welding and it was blardy enlightening experience, clanging off the slag and discovering you actually did a good job gives a good deep satisfaction.

Hehehe ... and +1 for them little bits of burning goodness searing your flesh...

Yeah, plenty o'books on the subject, even the innernetz has some good sites for it. Go for it!

**Pedrostt500** · 27th August 2008, 21:52

The best is to learn from some one proficiant at welding, There is a book for farmers teaching them the basics of welding, I think it may be put out by Lincolin Electric, if you know a friendly engineer, rock up find out his special lubricant ( beer ) and try to work out some way of being taught a few basic leassons.

**Ocean1** · 27th August 2008, 21:57

Originally Posted by Ixion

Getting nice clean welds , with that lovely gentle ripple...

Requires 5 tequilla slammers.

**speights_bud** · 27th August 2008, 21:59

Remember the all essential of removing ALL the slag from a weld before continuing over it, just in case ya wonder why you keep gettin holes

Other than arc, i've used a few tig welders both large and small and the caddy type ones with a smaller size gas bottle can be good value for money, depending on how much you use it/size of project. mmm pretty stainless exhausts & extractors....

**Wannabiker** · 27th August 2008, 22:22

You may find an angle grinder handy while you are learning too...Nice clean metal around the joint, especially if you go to MIG welding.....and to make them welds look a bit prettier too! Dont worry...the first few will look like crap.
Also...have a fire extinguisher handy...and take the jar of paint thinners off the workbench too, also the rubbish tin at the end of the workbench with the petrol soaked and oily rags in it!
I used to work as a coachbulider and have witnessed a couple of workshop fires (one quite serious) caused by grinding and welding sparks travelling some distance to ingite flammable substances.

If attempting to weld on a motor vehicle, remember to disconnect the battery and alternator...

**Howie** · 27th August 2008, 23:15

have a look at this site it is american, but looks like it might have some useful articles on it.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...-skills/stick/

I'm a fitter and welder by trade, although no longer welding much. Feel free to ask any questions though.