Completely new to welding, Want to learn the proper way

[Dave Harlington]

Hi, Sorry if this is in the wrong section Im a complete newbie both to welding and the forum!

Basically my Dad grew up welding all sorts of stuff from minis to complete structures, I own 4x4s and the sills and chassis needs a bit of welding and Im wanting to learn properly.

Ideally the best solution would be to find a course locally for complete beginners but they all end up with a full qualification to go into a welding job and start at about £500.

Would it be possible to learn over the internet or is it better to learn off someone that knows what theyre doing? The little bit I know is that I think it would be best to start on MIG and go from there?

Any advice would be ever so much appreciated

Oh and I'm 20 so I should still be able to learn a little bit!

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

If it were me I'd buy a decent hobby MIG welder such as a Clarke and have a go. There's loads of free help on here. If then you feel you're going to be OK at it then a course would be useful to gain formal qualifications if that's what you want.

Be careful with courses - do your research. There are a some training firms that have a less than enviable reputation. If you can, get a course at a local college.

If you don't get on at least you can flog the welder, you won't get a refund from a training establishment.

 

[Dave Harlington]

That's a good point, I don't really care for a formal qualification as I don't ever think I would get a job as a welder so wouldn't need one although I wouldn't rule it out. Do you have like a website or forum links for complete beginners that explains everything from gasless to butt joints ect?!

 

[lshigham]

Have a read through this lot

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/mig.htm

 

[Kent]

It all depends on the instructor if formal training is worthwhile. Is there nobody local who might help you out for favours?

 

[Welding Bear]

I was completely new to all this only a few weeks ago. Now i'm on my first project and mostly comfortable (relatively) MIG welding.

I'd go the ''teach yourself'' route. Read EVERYTHING on here and watch the recommended YT videos, Chucke2009 is my personal fave.

Get the safety gear, a welder and a bunch o' scrap and get welding

The guys on here are awesome for help.

 

[Richard.]

Trial and erra, first buy the machine then research technique then put it into practice. When you pick up the torch and dial in some numerical values and strike up the arc it is only then the real learning takes place.

 

[Welding Bear]

Yup, couldnt agree more with Richard.

Buy a welder and fry some stuff!!!!

 

[Kent]

Not so sure, yeah- you need practice but its not "practice makes perfect" its " perfect practice that makes perfect". A few hours of decent instruction beats weeks on your own and lots of frustration, with respect to some posters forums are 50/50 half the advice is spot on and half of it is total rubbish that will lead you up the wrong alleyway at least after proper instruction you can sort through what your being told on the forums.

 

[Dave Harlington]

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry I haven't been back sooner I've had a lot on! What sort of welder would be a good one to start on? I'm guessing a cheap little Clarke one or is it best to avoid that sort of thing

 

[Def110TDi]

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry I haven't been back sooner I've had a lot on! What sort of welder would be a good one to start on? I'm guessing a cheap little Clarke one or is it best to avoid that sort of thing

I'd say mig is easiest its just juggling wire speed, travel speed and volts
Arc or stick is versatile and cheap as its very simple but arguably requires loads of practice

Tig, well its bordering art form, and requires many many hours of graft

 

[Kent]

The only hard bit of TIG is co-coordinating using both hands. I never felt MIG,TIG, MMA or oxy / accet (remember that?) significantly harder than the other though its easy to create a bead with MIG it don't mean its a good weld, for LR and car work its the best buy by far though

 

[Dave Harlington]

I definitely want to start doing MIG I'm just not sure which welder to get, like brand and model ect

 

[langy]

The only hard bit of TIG is co-coordinating using both hands. I never felt MIG,TIG, MMA or oxy / accet (remember that?) significantly harder than the other though its easy to create a bead with MIG it don't mean its a good weld, for LR and car work its the best buy by far though

Now there is some spot on advice Personally I would want to learn on good equipment, a cheap welder isn't what I would be looking for, A decent quality welder picked up cheap is what you want in my opinion.

 

[langy]

I definitely want to start doing MIG I'm just not sure which welder to get, like brand and model ect

If you do a bit of searching on here you will discover the quality names, My personal choice is Cebora, Lincoln etc, they can be found fairy cheaply