New to Welding, need some easy starter project ideas?

That's awesome I wish I got a welder lol I weld and do carpentry work in the air force if you want goo practice just put two small pieces of metal together and weld all your angles I made a sweet little bar stool out of metal I'll post pics later when I'm not on my phone

 

That's cool, I would be interested in those pics. We have talked about getting new stools, it would be neat to make them.

 

i obviously used more than just a welder for these the round one i made the seat out of stainless it was a pain welding it had a few burn throughs in the lip both of these were just from being bored one day at work

 

I have been welding in the military for over 9 years now. One of the most important things is to make sure that you have good solid penetration with your heat. It should have heat marks on the backside of your metal. The welder should sound like a frying egg. If it is popping you either need to slow down or turn your amperage up. Make sure your metal is clean of all rust and garbage before you start. If you can get leather gloves and jacket, it will save you from being sunburnt or catching slag. Make sure you have your ground cable close to where you are welding. If its too far away your welds wont have good penetration. Make sure you are comfortable and stable if your making a long weld. Other than that just make sure to practice. Taking 2 pieces of metal and laying them next to each other is the best way then try angles so you know if your getting good penetration. Always let your metal cool naturally otherwise pouring metal will make your welds brittle.

 

its actually not bad but i also have a bubble ass so lots of padding hahaha

 

Even just to make the frame, the cushion part is easy.

 

With this part here, I was wondering is it necessary to stop and move your ground? I know you want it as close as possible to the spot you are welding, but let's say I am doing a straight line welding two pieces together a foot long. Do I place the ground at the end of the piece that I am connecting 1 ft. away, or move it 3-4 inches or whatever at a time?

 

x2, Mother Nature's padding

 

no need to move it. I like to keep the ground within 3 feet away from the weld. Also clean up the ground area so it is clamped onto clean metal.

 

Yeah you don't need the ground right up on your work just in a near vacinity lol

 

This is another reason to build even a small table specifically for welding. Then you clamp your ground onto the table and it leaves your piece free to move around a manipulate to get the best bead.

GL!