Starting out - best type of welding to learn?

Barrbeast · 26-03-2015, 01:34

So I turn 30 a week on Monday and since most of my family point blank refuse to buy me bits for the Trol

(I just want some stainless pipes and other bits for the snorkel...) I've asked if they can get me some welding lessons as it's one thing I've never done but quite fancied learning.

There's a choice of learning either Mig or Arc. Arc is the one I've seen other folk do the most but on reading up I reckon Mig would be the handiest, particularly for working on the Trol.

What do you guys think?

makeitfit · 26-03-2015, 01:51

I don't know about best, but I'd say it's easier to get going with MIG.
Plenty of good kit around and with a bit of practice you'll be getting usable welds PDQ
You can also use different gases and stainless wire and do your own exhaust

Fez_uk · 26-03-2015, 10:01

Go for MIG mate, Much more versatile. Can do thin and thick stuff.

ARC (Stick welding) is really only useful for thicker stuff.

Barrbeast · 26-03-2015, 11:29

Cheers guys, yeh was thinking MIG was a better option than stick

firebobby · 26-03-2015, 18:41

As above, defo Mig for body work and I have done chassis work with Mig too

rustic · 26-03-2015, 18:58

I have a mig, but I only use it for items that don't become a hazzard if it fails, as I am not that good with it. I welded the exhaust mount bracket once... and that's still fine, I did a quick bodge on an exhaust when the tail pipe fell out, I also welded the top of the lawn mower as that had cracked around a quarter of the top, a garden fork, etc but I am not good enough to weld sills or structural parts. Well who knows with practice...

I use gasless wire, an expensive option, it came with the gas bottles, but they are tiny, and to be honest, I can't be ar**d to set it up... that's assuming the bottles haven't leaked all the gas after these years.

Can car bodywork be done with gasless wire, or is seperate gas and standard wire better?
What are the differences in quality?

Many years ago I tried to weld a car subframe with a stick welder borrowed from work...I kept cutting back to find good metal..... There was nothing left... so I bought a new subframe, £25 and went from there.

Rustic

26-03-2015, 01:34	#1
Barrbeast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dundee, Scotland Vehicle: 1990 4.2 SWB Safari Posts: 2,615	Starting out - best type of welding to learn? So I turn 30 a week on Monday and since most of my family point blank refuse to buy me bits for the Trol (I just want some stainless pipes and other bits for the snorkel...) I've asked if they can get me some welding lessons as it's one thing I've never done but quite fancied learning. There's a choice of learning either Mig or Arc. Arc is the one I've seen other folk do the most but on reading up I reckon Mig would be the handiest, particularly for working on the Trol. What do you guys think?

26-03-2015, 18:58	#6
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	I have a mig, but I only use it for items that don't become a hazzard if it fails, as I am not that good with it. I welded the exhaust mount bracket once... and that's still fine, I did a quick bodge on an exhaust when the tail pipe fell out, I also welded the top of the lawn mower as that had cracked around a quarter of the top, a garden fork, etc but I am not good enough to weld sills or structural parts. Well who knows with practice... I use gasless wire, an expensive option, it came with the gas bottles, but they are tiny, and to be honest, I can't be ar**d to set it up... that's assuming the bottles haven't leaked all the gas after these years. Can car bodywork be done with gasless wire, or is seperate gas and standard wire better? What are the differences in quality? Many years ago I tried to weld a car subframe with a stick welder borrowed from work...I kept cutting back to find good metal..... There was nothing left... so I bought a new subframe, £25 and went from there. Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

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26-03-2015, 01:51	#2
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	I don't know about best, but I'd say it's easier to get going with MIG. Plenty of good kit around and with a bit of practice you'll be getting usable welds PDQ You can also use different gases and stainless wire and do your own exhaust

26-03-2015, 10:01	#3
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,645	Go for MIG mate, Much more versatile. Can do thin and thick stuff. ARC (Stick welding) is really only useful for thicker stuff.

26-03-2015, 11:29	#4
Barrbeast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dundee, Scotland Vehicle: 1990 4.2 SWB Safari Posts: 2,615	Cheers guys, yeh was thinking MIG was a better option than stick

26-03-2015, 18:41	#5
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	As above, defo Mig for body work and I have done chassis work with Mig too