Beginners Guide to Welding (including class info, equipment info, and my progress!)

[TROLL]

I'm interested in learning how to weld... I see Welding 1 and 2 available at Middle Bucks Tech School and am looking into this further.
Is this the best way to learn how to properly weld a wide variety of materials, or is just having a friend show you the ropes and then putting in your time behind the mask a more effective way to reach the goal?
I would definitely like to learn how to MIG weld and possibly move towards TIG in the future, just for general purpose for my own projects.

[jpalamar]

Subscribed because this something I was thinking about also.

[420sx]

The best way to learn how to weld... is just like the best way to learn how to drive. Seat time.

A good teacher is always helpful. But if you're somewhat proficient with Google, you could definitely teach yourself how to do it. The best way to learn is to weld, and weld A LOT. When I took welding at MBIT in high school, we'd come in at 7:30, be in our booths by 8, and run beads nonstop until noon. Everyday.

Buy/borrow/rent a welder, and just weld. The hardest part about welding is setting up the machine, and knowing how to adjust it for a desired effect. That comes with practice, and you also have to get to know your machine. If you want to borrow mine, you can. I can teach you how to set it up and run you through the basics. After that, its just practice that will help you improve.

[TROLL]

MBIT night classes start Sept. 13/14th so you can still sign up now for them. I'm not sure if Welding 1 is the right choice for someone who is looking to learn to MIG weld... maybe it provides the proper background? The cost for the class is $375 which is fine with me if it is going to be helpful to me. The class meets once a week for 3 hours, for 10 weeks total.

Here is the info about their classes:

Welding I
Learn the basic welding skills through this self-paced, hands-on program. This class provides basic theory
and hands-on lab instruction for acquiring the proper skills in the safety set up, and operation procedures in the
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) stick welding and Oxy-Fuel Cutting (OFC) processes. All training is in
accordance with national standards of the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American National Standard
Institute (ANSI Z49.1), Safety in Welding and Cutting for Welders. Work boots (steel toed preferred), safety glasses,
earplugs, and 100% cotton clothing are required. Glasses and earplugs will be available for a nominal fee the first
night of class.

Welding II
This advanced class provides theory and hands-on instruction in acquiring the proper skills in the safety, set up,
and operation procedures in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) MIG welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
TIG welding and Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) processes. All training is to national standards, according to the
American Welding Society (AWS) and the American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z49.1), Safety in Welding
and Cutting for Welder. Work boots (steel toed preferred), safety glasses, earplugs, and 100% cotton clothing are
required. Glasses and earplugs will be available for a nominal fee the first night of class.
Prerequisite: Basic Welding or equivalent experience.
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology is recognized by the American Welding Society (AWS) as a participating
organization in the training and testing of entry–level welders, in conjunction with Welding Testing and Training
Institute (WTTI) as a Remote Test Facility. This allows participating students and current welders with the
appropriate skills the opportunity to practice and complete certification tests on premises. Testing can be offered at
the completion of these courses, at specific dates and times to be determined, for an additional testing fee.

[angdefeo]

Not sure if this helps but Miller offers free info regarding welding. Here is a link: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/etraining.html

Depening on what you want to build, all you might need to learn is how to tack things together and then bring those pieces to an experienced welder to finish.

[russiankid]

When I had to do welding I borrowed a welder and spent a few hours reading up on the basics. Then I used scrap metal and practiced laying down beads. Once I felt comfortable I went ahead and did my project, which turned out fairly well. So like above, practice.

[Got Insulin?]

I actually just posted a thread about this about a month ago. If I had the spare change, I'd hop in the classes with you, Bryan. However, seeing as I'm out of county, I'd get mega taxed on the classes.

[TROLL]

Oh damn, that'd be sweet to do it together. You have to pay more if you're not in Bucks? The class is just listed for $375... I don't see anything anywhere about it being different if you're from within the county or not... is that what you're talking about?

I'm pretty sure I'm just going to take the class so I can get the proper foundation and background in addition to the 'seat time'. I appreciate the info here and of course the offers to help though, thanks guys! I just think I'll have a more complete education if I suck it up and go through the process from step one all official-like.

[SovXietday]

I personally am self taught, but I'd love to get some time with an instructor. Sometimes there are just things you don't know you're doing wrong until someone points it out.

As far as classes go, really depends on what you're trying to do with your welding. If you're really focused on working with cars only, I'd save your money on the stick/oxy welding. Oxy welding can be used just about anywhere, but it and especially arc welding are mainly industrial welding styles. They really don't have a lot of relevance when it comes to welding on automotive applications. (although, like I said, technically you can use them on cars with no issues).

IMO, learn MIG first. It is extremely versatile, and compared to TIG relatively inexpensive. Not only can you do automotive work, but you can also do work around the house with it as well. I have dabbled in MIG a few times. It's definitely the least frustrating and most fun. It's also fairly portable and easy to get around, and the one handed operation is extremely useful as well. All you need to worry about is the filler wire type and your shielding gas.

TIG, I won't lie. It's rough. I have never been so frustrated in my entire life other than sometimes when I'm behind my TIG at home. It is also extremely expensive. The welder is just the beginning, then you need specific filler rod, tungsten, gas lenses, caps, cups, and argon. THEN learning how to weld with it is a super steep learning curve (that I am honestly just beginning to get to the end of after 8 months). The most frustrating part is that because the welding is so precise every little hiccup and every little stray movement gets "recorded" in the metal, and to make things even more interesting every kind of metal reacts differently. Honestly, although picking up TIG has been extremely frustrating, it is even more so rewarding once it all starts coming together. Definitely glad I did.

The best way to learn is however you want honestly. If you have the money and time to put in arc time you will get better. There are a ton of resources on the web that will aid you along as you progress as well. It is difficult to say which way will make you a better welder (DIY or schooling) but regardless of the method the only way you will get really good is time behind the mask and always trying to make the next step towards "perfect."

Also worth mentioning is that a lot of "good" welders are even better fabricators. The better your fabrication, the easier it will be to weld. Gaps and holes in the fit will cause inconsistencies and trouble with the welding. THIS IMO is the real secret behind the guys you see who put down welds that make your jaw drop, and the average DIYer like myself who is still learning how to straighten out all the little bits and pieces that go together the right way. In other words, if you want to make good welds you have to make the metal fit right first. Preperation is everything behind every weld. A lot of cleaning, good fits, and arc time will be what makes you a good welder.

Hope that wasn't too comprehensive for the question asked lol

[motorvated]

Bryan, I think that a class would be very helpful. Sure you could rent/borrow/buy a welder and teach yourself at home. But you are going to run through a ton of scrap metal...a ton of gas and a ton of wire. $375 for a 10 week course is cheap, and you're not wasting your materials. They will probably cover arc and mig, though some go into more styles. Its good to have a teacher there to answer all of your questions and really help you. After the course is done...THEN you buy a welder, and get some scrap metal. You are still going to need practice...but you will have a much better foundation to build on. I vote take a class.

[eviljokerSTI]

Practice, practice, practice, having a teacher to show you the basics is a great way to start but all great welders all started somewhere and the only reason they got great was...practice

like the old saying goes..."how do you get to Carnegie Hall?...Pracitce!"

[PAFirefighter11]

The way I learned was by watching my friends weld. They'd hand it over to me and let me mess around on exhaust, body panels, and other pieces of metal. It's fun, but annoying when your welds don't look as good as theirs! The more you do it, the better you will get. Just remember... look out for HOT, falling debris

[poolmike]

Bryan, Just take the Welding I class to get started. You will pick it up right away. Like someone else stated, you will be running beads through the whole class, using lots of materials funded by my tax dollars Once you get the whole 'stick welding' thing down, MIG will be simple. Then move on to TIG.

Grab some scrap steel of various thickness and bring it over. Also, I will be fabricating lots of crap for the '47 Dodge truck in the next few weeks, so there will be lots of welding going on there. I might go buy an Argon cylinder for the TIG and get that working so I can play around with that for a bit.

[TROLL]

Thanks for all the input, definitely helpful.

Sov, I was thinking the same thing that the stick welding might not apply as much, but even so I have decided to take the class because I think it will be a good foundation to become knowledgeable and well rounded. I will probably continue with the Welding II class which focuses on MIG and TIG and again will allow me for a lot of practice time and feedback to help me get better.

I am going to sign up for the Tuesday class if anyone else is interested in going too!

[SovXietday]

Where's the class at?

I'm assuming you have to take Welding I to take Welding II? If so, disregard what I said haha. I wasn't sure if you had the option to take a MIG/TIG class without the stick class.

You will learn a lot about welding in the class. There are some things that are totally universal to welding and getting that knowledge under your belt is never a bad thing. Good luck man, you should post updates!

[TROLL]

Yeah, you have to take I before taking II otherwise I would be interested in the class focusing on MIG and TIG more.

Its at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Jamison, PA.
http://www.mbit.org

Welding I is offered Tuesdays 6-9pm for 10 weeks, or Wednesdays 6-9pm for 10 weeks, and the cost for either class is $375.
Welding II os offered Thursdays 6-9pm for 10 weeks and the cost for the class is $385.

[zmainiac]

Man i might sign up too. Been wanting to learn how to weld for a while now. Is it too late to sign up?

[TROLL]

Originally Posted by zmainiac

Man i might sign up too. Been wanting to learn how to weld for a while now. Is it too late to sign up?

The classes are filling up, I am not sure if there are still spots open now but call up ASAP if you're interested! They said there is a waiting list you can hop on if there aren't any openings available. You can drop courses for a full refund up until the day before classes start so its possible someone might drop and open up a spot.

[TROLL]

Thanks again for the info so far everyone... I did go ahead and sign up for the Tuesday class so I will be attending that for 3 hours each Tuesday for the next 10 weeks.

I am now looking at getting some of the basic gear to be comfortable and properly protected, and wanted to see if anyone had feedback on this stuff since it is difficult to get it right the first time without any experience. I have read up a bit on http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com which has some solid info and helped start me in the right direction.

Helmet
I found a highly recommended inexpensive autodimming solar powered helmet from Northern Tool. Only $50 but has a ton of very solid reviews. Pretty set on this one: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1850_200311850

Hat / Skullcap
I think I'll just try to get the most flamboyant one out there. Why do they all look so funny? Haha. I guess its no better than the helmet above, but I'm planning to take the flame stickers off of that.

Gloves
I see different types of gloves listed and since I am going to be starting with stick welding, assume I need heavy duty stick welding gloves (MIG are lighter, and TIG even lighter so). Any recommendations here?

Jacket
The course requires a cotton long sleeve shirt but I am reading online that a jacket is a good idea. I see:
full leather jackets for $75: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...8645_200308645
and also
half leather half cotton for $40: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...2970_200342970
Any thoughts or recommendations on this?

Pants
Any pair of jeans without any holes in them should be fine so I'll just pick a pair of old jeans and dedicate them to welding class.

Shoes
Steel toe work boots are recommended for the class. I don't have any. I can either just wear sneakers or go shopping for some work boots, and I'm leaning toward getting some boots.

Safety Glasses
These are offered on the first day of class for a nominal fee - sounds good to me.

Ear Protection
These are offered on the first day of class for a nominal fee - sounds good to me.

[poolmike]

Go for the full leather jacket, they seem to be the most durable....I haven't destroyed mine yet after 5 years. The half cotton job would have been dead 4.5 years ago.


Don't forget some form of hat/skull cap. You will need it and you will love it the first time you weld without it.