Welding

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

Any idiot can weld, just a matter of having the materials and tools. To weld WELL takes a LOT of practice. I've been welding on and off since I was 8. My welds are strong and will hold, but quite often (especially with a stick welder) they look like bird shit.

Mig ftw! Yea, when I use a stick welder, it's NOT pretty and will require extensive grinding! Also, you need to decide what materials you want to work with. Iron/steel is a lot easier to work with IMHO but because you are just starting out, perhaps you would be better served starting with aluminum.

[Mr Lefty]

cool shit guys... thanks!

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Mig ftw! Yea, when I use a stick welder, it's NOT pretty and will require extensive grinding! Also, you need to decide what materials you want to work with. Iron/steel is a lot easier to work with IMHO but because you are just starting out, perhaps you would be better served starting with aluminum.

I've heard welding aluminum is hard... and don't want to use alum, for the racks anyhow

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

That's a great place to start.

First, just start making beads on a single piece of metal, to get the feel for it, and how it needs to flow to be smooth.
After you have that down, then you can move on to trying to make two pieces of metal stick together.

Exactly how I learned! FWIW I've seen welders for well under$100 that would be good for practice and small projects. I didn't bother to look at Derf's chart but I'd imagine that it deals with wattage/amp/metal thickness and possibly ac vs dc welding. Good luck bro! Oh and get a decent helmet, gloves and always wear long sleeves...I can post pics if you want. Nasty!

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

I've heard welding aluminum is hard... and don't want to use alum, for the racks anyhow

Okay, just a suggestion... my biggest problem with welding aluminum is the habits and techniques that I've learned welding steel...

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Exactly how I learned! FWIW I've seen welders for well under$100 that would be good for practice and small projects. I didn't bother to look at Derf's chart but I'd imagine that it deals with wattage/amp/metal thickness and possibly ac vs dc welding. Good luck bro! Oh and get a decent helmet, gloves and always wear long sleeves...I can post pics if you want. Nasty!

oh trust me, I've seen what slag does to unprotected skin...

[derf]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

oh trust me, I've seen what slag does to unprotected skin...

I got a great mask from harbor freight, on of the auto darkening ones, there truly is nothing better. I also usually wear an old BDU shirt and a pair of gloves.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by derf

I got a great mask from harbor freight, on of the auto darkening ones, there truly is nothing better. I also usually wear an old BDU shirt and a pair of gloves.

Yep $39.99 auto darkening ftw! hell, I saw a welder at Walmart. Buy it, practice with it for a month or two and return it. Otherwise, hf has some pretty good deals on small welders.

[Mr Lefty]

yeah I think I'll pickup a welder next month or so... don't have the $ at the moment...

though I do have tax returns coming back soon... so who knows.

[derf]

Check with the hobby shop first, they might have a welder you can use instead of buying one.