Welding for beginners

[ChrisKazoo]

Hey Guys

At some point my feather is going to need some welding done. Is it something you can just buy and learn through practice? I've watched a few videos on YouTube and it seems relatively straight forward. Also advice on welders would be appreciated. I intend to weld steel box section and steel bar together (if that's do-able/recommended?).

Thanks

[Bodge Job]

Re: Welding for beginners

Yeah milder steels can be easily welded, and its pretty easy to pick up.

[plargen]

Re: Welding for beginners

stick welders are good for thick steel and give a sturdy weld (it can be used on thinner steel its just not as easy)

tig welders give sturdy welds and are the tidiest

mig is technically the weakest as it doesn't give the level of penetration and its strength comes from volume of weld

[daveimi]

Re: Welding for beginners

I have a few mates (and my Dad) that literally went out and bought a pile of box section and an Arc Welder.

From what I hear MiG is like a metal glue gun. I've never really gotten involved but its on my to do list over the next 60yrs or so.

[terry]

Re: Welding for beginners

Mig welder is perfect and easy too use, just get loads of waste bits and play :-)

[Liftoff]

Re: Welding for beginners

From what I hear MiG is like a metal glue gun.

It's not so bad... I think its the best option for a beginner in terms of cost and ease of use. And as long as you're not welding a 1/2 plate you'll be fine!
If I had the cash to buy and time to learn I'd go for Tig...

[plargen]

Re: Welding for beginners

i find arc (stick) is the cheapest as you don't have to buy gas and and you can get the welders quite cheap but unfortunately i haven't found electrodes for titanium and aluminium is a pain

[ChrisKazoo]

Re: Welding for beginners

Okay cool, think I'll go for an arc welder to begin with and maybe upgrade in the future if need be.


Is something like this pretty standard?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ferm-Power-10 ... 3cbb0b86ed

Thanks guys.

[plargen]

Re: Welding for beginners

im using a 160A arc welder and its been used on all 3 of my robot shells so far 3,5 and 8mm midle steel shells

[Ellis]

Re: Welding for beginners

We have bought two beginner-range arc welders (much like the one you linked) over the past few years and have yet to weld anything very satisfactorily. I don't doubt it's largely down to our own inability to weld, but it doesn't feel like it's our entirely our fault. Even after a lot of practice it is worlds away from just welding. We hope to invest in something better soon, which will either prove us incompetent or prove us a little less incompetent .

[robotwars]

Re: Welding for beginners

Take my advice... Get a MIG welder.

It's so simple to do, aim the wire and fire... Get loads of scrap and practice and you'll pick it up.
I spent 5 minutes with alex marler showing him, and left him to practice on my welder and he picked it up really easy !! 1 hour later he was welding alsorts.

Honestly take my advice.

John
Robot Wars

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Welding for beginners

Mig is the easiest to pick up. I will always say though that if you can get a good weld with a stick welder then everything else is easy. I bought a tig as I wanted to do titanium. Love it

[ChrisKazoo]

Re: Welding for beginners

Wow advice from the owner of Robot Wars and the last Robot Wars champion, can't really go wrong here! MIG it is then, better start saving my pennies...

Thanks guys

[Max]

Re: Welding for beginners

Mig is the easiest to pick up. I will always say though that if you can get a good weld with a stick welder then everything else is easy. I bought a tig as I wanted to do titanium. Love it

When I was taught to weld my teacher had the same philosophy, took ages learning to stick weld then he showed me mig welding which is much simpler.
Although you do have to mess about with gas and speed which is a pain relative to the simplicity of Ark welding.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Welding for beginners

The other issue with MIG is the gas versus gasless issue. I've always been told stay away from the gasless stuff as it's crap but perhaps those with experience could shed some light on the issue?