calculon

iTrader: (29)

When I was first trying to learn how to weld, I found many welders (individuals, not the machines) like to treat it as something that you had to earn. It seemed as though it was something you had to "pay your dues" for and the only way to learn it would be to be some sort of apprentice or something of that nature. While I won't proclaim to know it all, AT ALL, I will say that there is a great deal that you can learn by simply researching. Amazing, I know. The fact is, welds, like most things, are something that are a result of the values for various variables involved in producing them. They are mathematically definable and repeatable, as evidenced by the beautiful look, and extreme quality of robotic welds.

Anyway, this thread is to serve as a general collection point for any good literature, video, or other media that can help someone, novice to expert, become better. Additionally, it would be great to have some experienced individuals weigh in and offer anything they're willing to. My opening paragraph was intended to come off as a diatribe against the type of individual unwilling to help out a fellow enthusiast trying to learn how to fabricate. Let's help each other out here.

http://www.millerwelds.com/education...pamphlets.html

I've found the weld calculators to be quite useful for finding a starting point for machine settings, gas flow rate, fill rod diameter, etc. if you are unsure (which as an amateur, I know I often am)
Also, for $35.00, the instructor package is a must have for anyone starting out.
http://www.millerwelds.com/education/tools/

That's all I've got right off the top. Please add and try to avoid cluttering this thread with valueless posts, for the sake of having a nice, clean, useable, concise and consolidated source of information.

Thank you kindly.
ryan

Zero R

iTrader: (1)

I was going to try and put a bunch of this stuff up this coming weekend for you guys. This may be better I'll keep tabs on the thread for clutter and try and keep only good links info etc.

TitaniumTT

The Welders Handbook is a great book for anyone wanting to learn how to weld. Read it through cover to cover though as he references back to a bunch of stuff. For example, I knew how to Mig so I didn't read that, I didn't want to know how to oxy/acey weld so I didn't read it, I went strait to the Tig section and found myself saying, "eff it" and just read it cover to cover. The main thing to do ('I've found) is examine each weld after you're done. Realize what you did right, and more importantly what you did wrong.

The biggest piece of advice that I can offer though is fitment - ESPECIALLY for TIG welding or Mig welding stainless. Mild steel is forgivable but when welding al/SS, the fit has to be dam near perfect for a good weld.

Cleanliness is also key for Tig welding Al. Sanding and then chemical cleaning at minimum

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Possibly the best welding forum I have found is the Weld Talk Message Board run by Hobart. Many of the participants are veterans of the industry with a massive knowledge base behind them. If you have a question about welding, it's already been answered or it can be answered by this forum. Just keep in mind that many of the members have been doing this for a long time, so if you ask a stupid question, you'll get a stupid answer.

InsomniacFC

iTrader: (4)

There's a lot of videos on YouTube as well. I found them pretty helpful when I was learning to "stick" weld. I'd post links, but it's easy enough to just go there and search for what you're looking for.

Anyways, while I'm here, anyone got any good tips on beating the heat while wearing full leathers and working in 100+ outside? I drink a lot of fluids, wear a aqua cool around my neck, and "tough it out", but I know there has to be someway to be semi-comfy.

DelSlow

iTrader: (2)

I'm a big fan of http://weldingweb.com/. There is a lot of traffic on there and plenty of good resources.

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

neat stuff ... few more forums to join lol ... the joy's of the internet. You can pretty much do anything you want if you research enough about it on the internet.

installer67

iTrader: (18)

My best advice to the novice or beginning welder is to start small, and know your material. The "grade" of the metal you work with will affect how you weld and how easy it is to work with. Prep is key with almost everything. Be prepared, get magnetic squares, clamps, vice grips and etc. "before" you need them. play on scrap, practicing your bead and joints till your consistent before tackling any "projects" Have fun!

Aeka GSR

iTrader: (4)

Anyone here like to pulse MIG weld? It seems like it is a form that nobody does, but with the right welder it is an awesome thing to do.

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

Done a bit of it before ... a few more settings to get it working just right and seems to be machine specific. Personally TIG welding is what I always feel more confortable working with.

Aeka GSR

iTrader: (4)

Once you get it going correctly on a piece of chromoly it is a time saver and actually looks quite nice. The big problem is people try and do it and never get enough penetration and I've seen failures because of it. I've been to sand shows looking at cages and could see clear as day that they were welding cold. The only welder for the longest time that could throw enough heat into it was the Panasonic Gunslinger. Miller for the longest time didn't have a welder that could do it. Many tried to duplicate the weld with a Miller and it never turned out as good. Miller recently (few years) came out with something that could do it, I don't know which one, but I remember it was priced 2 or even 3x more than the Panasonic. The problem now is the Panasonic is discontinued so the shop I worked for has horded up a bunch. Once you actually get one in your hand and use it you don't want another MIG in your hand. TIG on the other hand, is awesome, I don't have too much steel practice under my belt, but the few Millers I got to use were the ****.

hose4dub

iTrader: (8)

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

This website is just plain awesome, Jody is the man and shares a lot of good techniques and videos all for free. Check it out.

GregW

So true, first you should learn to cut, grind, file, fit then learn to weld. People often bring me stuff to weld that look like a 6 year old got ahold of a hacksaw. Its a pain in the *** to weld stuff like that so if your starting out bad fitment makes it even harder.

When I bough my welder I also got a slide rule for my specific model. You slide it to your material, then thickness, then weld type and it gives you the settings. I dont weld every day
so 7 years after getting my first tig I still rely on that slide rule every time I pull it out.

Things dont get much more manly than welding

ROTAge244

all great resources for any one looking to get into such a wonderful field. Being a Union Ironworker by trade, I can attest to how much knowledge is required rather than skill. Monkeys can weld, but you still have to set your machine, prep your work, and understand the given process. Good news for all the beginners out there reading this thread, have no fear, the smaller the parent metal gets the easier it is to get the hang of/cheaper when you joe it all up.

creds: certified A.W.S.
FCAW all position all grades mild, stainless, alum
SMAW " "
TIG " "
MIG/Dual Shield " "

blackgunsalute

I just started my welding journey and all i can say is patients!!

chicagozer

iTrader: (3)

If anyone is looking for video resources, smartflix has several welding instructional DVDs for rent. Much cheaper than buying them.