Tips on learning to weld?

[Rotary Evolution]

meh, for $1k you can find a decent used syncrowave 150 used which is still one of the best rigs around for general purpose TIG welding. the econotig i have is a bit of a pain to learn with because the range you need for aluminum is around 60-100 amps and the second step on this machine is a bit high and 1st step too low for aluminum so it acts like an on/off switch and takes a bit of finesse(you have to move quick because it tends to run too hot, the pedal input is too touchy so mainly i run it near full bore).

the older Miller TIG units are damn near indestructable. this one apparently came off a work truck that sat outside and it still works just fine after 11 years of god knows what.

but i still don't recommend starting on a TIG because you have 3 inputs: torch hand, filler feed hand and foot to control amperage(or finger control but foot control is best for a novice, finger control is best once you become comfortable enough to use it allowing you to free up yourself to move around the material being worked on). MIG welding requires 1 hand, so you have the second free to move the material around and only have to worry about initial control settings for the machine. TIG is easier to start where you stop because you aren't instantly welding once you arc however. you can get it but it is going to be somewhat costly to learn on as well due to consumables and you will go through argon quite quickly. MIG and arc welding are the cheapest and quickest to pick up, you could weld for hours for under a hundred bucks on a MIG machine.

i only really consider TIG for when you want to move on to aluminum since there is no other decent way to weld it without hours and hours of practice with other than AC TIG setups. AC is required for aluminum so don't just think any TIG can weld aluminum. some cheaper machines are DC only which is only good for ferrous metals like steel and stainless steel, those units are fine if you never plan to weld aluminum(almost everyone does at some point).

you can learn on any type of welding setup but if you've done them all it's rather easy to tell which is the easiest for a beginner to pick up, which is arc welding but arc welding is for monkeys, stick the stick in and drag it over the material and watch the fireworks and slag pour all over everything. MIG machines generally are cheap enough to buy, run for a year and sell for a small % of what you will need to buy a TIG machine for. i keep them all because each machine has it's benefits for certain types of work(the TIG is the least versatile machine as it is basically stationary and limited by the lead lengths, i can't run a 50' extension cable out to the parking lot and weld up an exhaust system). the torch is good for small precise work and generally just heating shit up or melting/cutting things. the arc machine i use for spot welding. the TIG is for aluminum and when i want welds to look nice and pretty on steel/SS.

[chibikougan]

z

[Mutaku]

Thanks for the tips guys, I am going to start looking into classes since I have tuition assistance anyway. Might as well learn a bit before I go buying a welder if I can help it =P

[chibikougan]

Here this should answer all your questions and give a practical guide to any welding you want to do.


http://deltaschooloftrades.com/