Any welders out there?

ontwo · 05-18-2010, 11:07 AM

I'm pretty proficient when it comes to handyman skills. I can do carpentry, basic wiring and plumbing, drywall, and other various things. But one skill I don't have is welding. I want to learn how. Ultimately, I want to build a bobber out of an old Honda or Yamaha, but I will need some basic welding skills.

So my question is where to start? What equipment will I need for small projects? I've read about the different types of welding. What is the easiest/most economic way to start this process?

Avatard · 05-18-2010, 11:12 AM

Get the little 110V Miller wire welder.

I had purchased a cheap MIG from Harbor Freight. It made messes.

I bought a Miller, and now even my worthless monkey ass can weld.

The machine makes a big difference (at least it did for me). Don't buy junk.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_140_autoset/

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLERMATIC-140-...item5ad92238d7

goof2 · 05-18-2010, 11:15 AM

We have a technical education center here that offers a 6 or 7 week evening course for Gas, Arc, Mig, and Tig welding for less than $250. It doesn't make you a certified welder but it doesn't sound like you want that anyway.

ontwo · 05-18-2010, 11:50 AM

Thanks guys. We've got a local community college that is going to start offering a basic welding class. I'm going to look into it

wildchild · 05-18-2010, 12:29 PM

definitely tech school. other way you'll just start burning holes in metal and maybe other things and get frustrated with it.

Amber Lamps · 05-19-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildchild

definitely tech school. other way you'll just start burning holes in metal and maybe other things and get frustrated with it.

this...unless you have a TON of scrap metal laying around to practice with.

derf · 05-19-2010, 10:33 PM

I started by just welding stuff together and kept doing it until I got good at it. I also bought a book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...FEKK8WSF4EQ5PV

Rangerscott · 05-19-2010, 10:51 PM

Get a wire welder for sure. Even a donkey can use one. The company my fathers works for sells Miller and they seem to be skittles.

You'll need to know what kinds of metal you'll be welding and how thick. There are welders that can do a good job welding from 1/4" to say 1" thick but correct me if I'm wrong, it's best to find a welder with a "tighter" welding thickness.

I can ask my father what would be best for you.

goof2 · 05-19-2010, 11:11 PM

I would take a class or at least read a book before you get a welder. Welders aren't cheap. It would suck to drop the coin on one and later learn it won't do everything you want.

Avatard · 05-19-2010, 11:14 PM

Bah. As was already said, it's not fucking rocket surgery. A good wire welder is so easy, *I* can fucking do it. Just get a good one, the cheap ones "skip" under load, and make it harder for a novice to get good results.

05-18-2010, 11:07 AM	#1
ontwo Designated Drinker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: shitville Moto: 2009 ZX6R Posts: 1,661	Any welders out there? I'm pretty proficient when it comes to handyman skills. I can do carpentry, basic wiring and plumbing, drywall, and other various things. But one skill I don't have is welding. I want to learn how. Ultimately, I want to build a bobber out of an old Honda or Yamaha, but I will need some basic welding skills. So my question is where to start? What equipment will I need for small projects? I've read about the different types of welding. What is the easiest/most economic way to start this process? __________________

05-18-2010, 11:12 AM	#2
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	Get the little 110V Miller wire welder. I had purchased a cheap MIG from Harbor Freight. It made messes. I bought a Miller, and now even my worthless monkey ass can weld. The machine makes a big difference (at least it did for me). Don't buy junk. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_140_autoset/ http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLERMATIC-140-...item5ad92238d7 __________________ Insert free thought here. Last edited by Avatard; 05-18-2010 at 11:15 AM..

05-18-2010, 11:50 AM	#4
ontwo Designated Drinker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: shitville Moto: 2009 ZX6R Posts: 1,661	Thanks guys. We've got a local community college that is going to start offering a basic welding class. I'm going to look into it __________________

05-19-2010, 10:33 PM	#7
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	I started by just welding stuff together and kept doing it until I got good at it. I also bought a book. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...FEKK8WSF4EQ5PV __________________

05-19-2010, 11:14 PM	#10
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	Bah. As was already said, it's not fucking rocket surgery. A good wire welder is so easy, I can fucking do it. Just get a good one, the cheap ones "skip" under load, and make it harder for a novice to get good results. __________________ Insert free thought here.

05-18-2010, 11:15 AM	#3
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	We have a technical education center here that offers a 6 or 7 week evening course for Gas, Arc, Mig, and Tig welding for less than $250. It doesn't make you a certified welder but it doesn't sound like you want that anyway.

05-18-2010, 12:29 PM	#5
wildchild cruiser Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: on the run Moto: '09 HD superglide, 16 Yamaha FZ 09 Posts: 2,749	definitely tech school. other way you'll just start burning holes in metal and maybe other things and get frustrated with it.

05-19-2010, 10:51 PM	#8
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Get a wire welder for sure. Even a donkey can use one. The company my fathers works for sells Miller and they seem to be skittles. You'll need to know what kinds of metal you'll be welding and how thick. There are welders that can do a good job welding from 1/4" to say 1" thick but correct me if I'm wrong, it's best to find a welder with a "tighter" welding thickness. I can ask my father what would be best for you.

05-19-2010, 11:11 PM	#9
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	I would take a class or at least read a book before you get a welder. Welders aren't cheap. It would suck to drop the coin on one and later learn it won't do everything you want.