A little advice please

[Mustangmatt]

Hi, I am looking to start learning to weld next year. Would you advise going on a course or just renting a MIG machine and playing around? I only want to be able to do small DIY jobs, so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome the the forum, a course is always a good move and will obviously teach you the basics at least.

Be careful though, there are a lot of 'scam' courses that are expensive and promise you the earth but are only aftre your money, your local education advice centre is the place to start.

Regards renting a machine, that would probably cost you more in the long run than purchasing a nice Clarke hobby machine.

Many of us are 'self taught' with the help of the tutorials here and advice from fellow members.

Some more info on what you intend to weld and perhaps we could guide you towards a machine that will suit you.

 

[Mustangmatt]

Looking at eventually building a trailer for my bike and eventually building a bike (pedal powered not motorbike).

 

[FranV8]

You a Mustang fan Matt?

Personally for DIY I'd spend the money on a course on the welding machine, then do a lot of reading, YouTube, practice, get feedback (from here or even better if you can find a welder friend to give some guidance).

 

[Mustangmatt]

Used to own a black 2005 GT V8. Am looking for a slightly cheaper hobby!!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Looking at eventually building a trailer for my bike and eventually building a bike (pedal powered not motorbike).

For the trailer build, if you are using the sort of standard material such as box section and 3 to 5mm angle a 150 amp machine will do the job.

Any 5mm welds would be best prepped as little and you would be getting close to the maximum for the machine but after that it would manage bike builds easily.

A road trailer is of course the sort of item that should only be considered once you have reached a competent level of welding and are sure your welds are getting good penetration and not just looking nice but sitting on the top of the metal.

Being left with just an A frame on your ball hitch and the rest of the trailer embedded into the front of a passing car tends to annoy people a little.