Teaching Self to Weld

[R1cho]

well i found a hole in the truck

so thought i better teach myself to weld, so i went down machine mart and got a Clarke MIG 151 No-Gas/Gas MIG Welder

got it home and had a play at capturing a bolt

not a 100% happy with the results i decided i needed more practice.

tried a T join

then tried on some thinner metal but made a hole :doh

made a shelf :lol

then tried making another bolt captive (i think this one is the better of the 2 :lol )

gave weld writing a try and was pleasently surprised how well it turned out

never tried welding before but i think i'm getting there

 

[stinka]

Good effort, really want a welder myself, how much was yours ? and did you use gas ?

 

[R1cho]

£240 and no i didn't use gas this time but maybe i will next time

 

[christof30]

Get one of the flat pieces and just do line after line side to side till its covered then flip it over and do the other side, bit apprentice school but it does give you a good feel.

 

[rustic]

That looks like the rear seatbelt anchorage point, so you need some serious strength here.

I personally wouldn't do this myself, as the penetration may not be enough, or the material weded to may not be sound enough.

 

[R1cho]

That looks like the rear seatbelt anchorage point, so you need some serious strength here.

I personally wouldn't do this myself, as the penetration may not be enough, or the material weded to may not be sound enough.

yes it is and that is why its is going to be double plated and have a new anchorage put in

 

[Fez_uk]

try some thinner stuff, the arches don't look that thick.

I'd also get it on gas for the thinner stuff, I did some work on my arches and gasless stuff was a pain which I had to use as I ran out of gas.

Half of the learning is dialling in the right power/wire speed in on the welder

 

[R1cho]

try some thinner stuff, the arches don't look that thick.

I'd also get it on gas for the thinner stuff, I did some work on my arches and gasless stuff was a pain which I had to use as I ran out of gas.

thats just the stuff i been practicing on m8

 

[Fez_uk]

yes but also practice on thinner stuff as it's alot harder than thicker stuff.

Heres a good site for tips etc: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

 

[kitchenman]

If you are using gas make up a wind break else the gas will blow away
an Auto helmet is a good buy

 

[R1cho]

an Auto helmet is a good buy

got 1 today made doing the weld letters easier :lol

 

[Groundhog]

Gone are the days when I used to arc weld down to 22 gauge with old fashioned rods.
This tip may help, we used to put a lump hammer behind the part to be welded if we had blown through, then build up the edges a little at a time to fill the hole before making a full run. The hammer just took some of the heat away and was never welded.
I guess the theory is the same with mig/tig but it's been a few years since I did any.

 

[andys 4x4]

andy 4x4 welding

hi try practicing on thin material first, start left to right filling in the molten pool adding to it as you go along. start on a low setting adjusting higher until you feel comfortable with it and the weld has penetrated through to the other side of the material. when you`ve got the right setting it should sound like bacon frying in the pan, a nice continuous crackling sound. always grind the edges to be welded first, the cleaner the materials the better the weld. rust won`t weld nomatter how you try, always prepare the area before you cut the patch plate, visably it looks the size of a 10p piece when you grind it back it ends up the size of a fiver, the dreaded tinworm is unforgiving when it gets hold, and a quick tip, spray your nozzle and tip with wd40 this stops the splatter sticking, it wont catch fire and is about 6 qwid cheaper than anti splatter spray, and the tips are easier to remove later sorry to waffle on i hope it can be of help Andy.:thumbs

 

[rustic]

when you`ve got the right setting it should sound like bacon frying in the pan, a nice continuous crackling sound.

What's for breakfast ?...:augie:augie

 

[clivvy]

looks good to me, i want to start welding. are those cheaper electric welders suitable for sills etc?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-10...306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563c72ed72

?? i figure something like this may be good for people like me who would like to learn, but dont have a lot of money..!

 

[cncfabs]

looks good to me, i want to start welding. are those cheaper electric welders suitable for sills etc?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-10...306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563c72ed72

?? i figure something like this may be good for people like me who would like to learn, but dont have a lot of money..!

I dont suppose you can go wrong for that money but wether it would be suitable for car bodys is anyones guess it seem to only have 2 settings bearing in mind a good set will cost at least £600-£800 its prob worth a try.

 

[geoffdown]

looks good to me, i want to start welding. are those cheaper electric welders suitable for sills etc?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-10...306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563c72ed72

?? i figure something like this may be good for people like me who would like to learn, but dont have a lot of money..!

Hi if u want to do welding on body panels then the no gas migs r not good on thin metal get 1that is gas/no gas other wise u will give up as the weld with no gas is very messy I bought a inverter fusion welder cost me 500pounds but after less then 10mins I was welding perfectly and never welded before I no it was expensive but u do get what u pay for but if u want a cheap 1 go for 1 that is not a Chinese copy and can do gas u won't retreat it

 

[Kamsin]

I use a Clarke 90 Pro, with gas. I ended up getting a normal gas bottle though from Energas as the little chuck in the bin things run out too fast.
i also upgraded to the larger spool of wire cos the small one run out too fast also.

I have done a lot of practice welding in the workshop and getting prety good with some of it, that www.mig-welding site is ace for showin gyou how to set up, what wire speed to use and power settings. I found start low and slow and build up till you get the best weld. Gas flow around 15lts per minute sould be ok in doors but out side you may need to boost it up a little.

having this has saved me a load of money, and the guy that used to weld for me is happy to give me advice and help me learn, in effect taking money out of his own pocket, but he hates welding cars, :lol

 

[cncfabs]

I use a Clarke 90 Pro, with gas. I ended up getting a normal gas bottle though from Energas as the little chuck in the bin things run out too fast.
i also upgraded to the larger spool of wire cos the small one run out too fast also.

I have done a lot of practice welding in the workshop and getting prety good with some of it, that www.mig-welding site is ace for showin gyou how to set up, what wire speed to use and power settings. I found start low and slow and build up till you get the best weld. Gas flow around 15lts per minute sould be ok in doors but out side you may need to boost it up a little.

having this has saved me a load of money, and the guy that used to weld for me is happy to give me advice and help me learn, in effect taking money out of his own pocket, but he hates welding cars, :lol

Turn that gas down 15lpm is way to much 10lpm is more than enough if im paying for the gas 8lpm

 

[R1cho]

some more pics, all this welding was done gasless aswell