Learning to weld

R1cho · 25-06-2011, 23:40

I want to learn to weld, most of my life i have self taught meself anything that was worthwhile, so i thought i'd teach myself this aswell but this time instead of starting from scratch i thought i would aska few questions.

1. mig welders, gas or gasless?
2. whats the best thing to practice on?
3. is there anyone local/ish to me that can show/teach me?

4wheel · 26-06-2011, 00:23

Good questions !

I used to be able to gas weld quite well but my arc looks like bird sh,, on a good day so could do with a few tips..

solarman216 · 26-06-2011, 01:30

depends a lot on your welder, buy cheap stuff and you will get cheap welds, you need to spend £250 min on a mig and you need to use argon mix for gas carbon dioxide is rubbish, I have a F size bottle from BOC but only worth it if you do a lot of welding, with the right gas and a good welder it is a piece of piss, just work forward and stir a little, getting the amps and feed rate right are the main things but a little practice soon sorts it out, Rick

Fez_uk · 26-06-2011, 10:09

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk

Good forum for tricks,tips and advice.

I started on gasless as some came with my welder, Ok for thicker stuff (over 1-2mm).

I now run gas, Can be a little expensive starting up. I asked my landlord for Co2 but he was not very helpfully. So got a rent free bottle of argon/Co2 mix from my local motor factors.

Many people run pure Co2 with pretty good results.

illy · 26-06-2011, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarman216

depends a lot on your welder, buy cheap stuff and you will get cheap welds, you need to spend £250 min on a mig and you need to use argon mix for gas carbon dioxide is rubbish, I have a F size bottle from BOC but only worth it if you do a lot of welding, with the right gas and a good welder it is a piece of piss, just work forward and stir a little, getting the amps and feed rate right are the main things but a little practice soon sorts it out, Rick

That's about right Rick, its a balance between the thickness of metal, the right power setting and speed you move. Thin stuff is harder to weld than thick, so learn on thick and work your way to thin.

illy

dan · 26-06-2011, 13:32

1. Gas, always gas - choose between co2 or argon. Argon gives a better weld, but more expensive. Get used to it on CO2 first.

2. 20swg mild steel. It is what cars are made from! Either get a sheet from the motor factors, or try on old steel from a scrap yard - though scrap will be harder to weld.

3. Keep joints clean, and don't be frightened of it and you will be fine.

4. Try a local college, they may do a course for around £80 - be worthwhile, and save doing it the way I did, and costing 6 years of your life!

25-06-2011, 23:40	#1
R1cho Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wales Vehicle: 1997 LandCruiser Colorado Posts: 4,201	Learning to weld I want to learn to weld, most of my life i have self taught meself anything that was worthwhile, so i thought i'd teach myself this aswell but this time instead of starting from scratch i thought i would aska few questions. 1. mig welders, gas or gasless? 2. whats the best thing to practice on? 3. is there anyone local/ish to me that can show/teach me?

26-06-2011, 00:23	#2
4wheel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wiltshire Vehicle: Terrano 11 2.7Tdi SWB Posts: 240	Good questions ! I used to be able to gas weld quite well but my arc looks like bird sh,, on a good day so could do with a few tips..

26-06-2011, 01:30	#3
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,432	depends a lot on your welder, buy cheap stuff and you will get cheap welds, you need to spend £250 min on a mig and you need to use argon mix for gas carbon dioxide is rubbish, I have a F size bottle from BOC but only worth it if you do a lot of welding, with the right gas and a good welder it is a piece of piss, just work forward and stir a little, getting the amps and feed rate right are the main things but a little practice soon sorts it out, Rick

26-06-2011, 10:09	#4
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,644	http://www.mig-welding.co.uk Good forum for tricks,tips and advice. I started on gasless as some came with my welder, Ok for thicker stuff (over 1-2mm). I now run gas, Can be a little expensive starting up. I asked my landlord for Co2 but he was not very helpfully. So got a rent free bottle of argon/Co2 mix from my local motor factors. Many people run pure Co2 with pretty good results.

26-06-2011, 13:32	#6
dan Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: cornwall Vehicle: Terrano Commercial Posts: 81	1. Gas, always gas - choose between co2 or argon. Argon gives a better weld, but more expensive. Get used to it on CO2 first. 2. 20swg mild steel. It is what cars are made from! Either get a sheet from the motor factors, or try on old steel from a scrap yard - though scrap will be harder to weld. 3. Keep joints clean, and don't be frightened of it and you will be fine. 4. Try a local college, they may do a course for around £80 - be worthwhile, and save doing it the way I did, and costing 6 years of your life!