I want to learn how to weld. I’m pretty skilled as far as wood goes, but know nothing about building with metal. Do I need to get someone to teach me, or can I just read a book? Any suggestions would be great. I’m not trying to build a bridge, just some tinkering in the garage.
I would imagine that there are some courses you could take at a local vo-tech school.
What Wonko said.
I know around where I live, the local college offers courses. I don’t know how involved the courses would get, but I imagine it would be gear towards professional ends, rather than just tinkering.
Another good idea would be to ask around local welding shops. They could tell you what needed to be done.
Night school classes at your local JC are the best. They don’t get as technical as day classes and still give you some experience.
What do you want to weld?
The wire welders are neat if you are not welding anything over 1/4" or smaller than 18ga.They make gasless welders that have the flux in the wire. They run $200 to $500.
Ad gas and they are called Mig or Tig welders they can cost $1500
Stick welders are probably the most common but only because wire welding hasn’t been cheap that long.They can cost 200 to ???
You can buy them on line at http://www.NorthernTool.com
Caveat: I do not own a welder… YET.
(IANAW-- what next???)
In addition to taking a community college class, I’ve heard good things about Welder’s Handbook.
justwannano, MIGs start at under $500.00. Usually, these are fluxcore units with gas added.
From what I can gather, most home/bodywork jobs are done with MIG because it’s quick, forgiving and doesn’t heat the surrounding metal as much as oxyacetylene. OTOH, I think most schools teach the basics with a gas torch.
Classes provide a good starting point. They teach you the theory and the basics like what electrode to use for a given material, or for a desired strength weld, and they provide you access to a welder. Most importantly, they emphasize the safety rules (welding is not particularly difficult, but it can be dangerous.)
But,(IMHO)the only way is to really learn is to just jump in and do it. You will quickly learn what does and doesn’t work. Read the instructions that come with your welder (specifically the safety instructions) and start sticking stuff together. Then tear it apart and look at how your weld failed. Repeat.
My advice is to learn oxy-acetelyne first. It is easiest to pick up, but is of limited use in the real world, so you may want to jump straight into arc.
For arc, start with about 3/16" mild steel and a general purpose electrode like 1/8" 6013 and progress to thicker and thinner material, then to more exotic materials and electrodes. I advise learning this before MIG/TIG because, although MIG is easier, arc is cheaper (you’ll likely go through a LOT of electrodes before you get good enough to feel comfortable at it) and because arc welding is more difficult (especially with thinner material). Once you learn arc, MIG will be a breeze.
Good luck!
All the suggestions so far are very good.
If you want to look at it as being a career, try to learn left-handed. Or best, ambidextrous. These people can be more hireable than normal, right-handed welders.
And most of all - practice, practice, paractice!
Welder’s Handbook is a great reference too.
Another thing about taking classes,It will put you in contact with people with varing welding experiences. A valuable thing IMHO