Anything welding

I'd like to learn how to weld aluminum.

 

Well, finally got around to writing up the bed rack I fabbed up as my first real welding project for the truck. Was a great learning experience, and has gotten me hooked on metalwork now in addition to woodworking. My wallet is sure to love that!

Building the Bed Rack (did someone say "new tools"?)

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Nice job!

 

Nice Work! Good to know there's more welders near Seattle.

I should have taken the time to build a good jig like you did, would save me from constantly taking my bumper on and off to test fit it. Now if my plasma cutter would ever come back from the repair shop I could finish building it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ing-problems-with-metal.491406/#post-15150568

 

Looks great good work and welcome to you new adventures in metal.

 

Moar fabrication! Built a mount for my Bussmann RTMR. Small projects, but still really nice to know that I can "just make stuff" now that I never could in the past.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ld-and-adventures.484602/page-3#post-15187144

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Hey folks,

I want to build a smoker for my buddy for helping me build our chicken coop. I found some plans here:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/food-drink/how-to/a778/3372796/

It calls for 10 gauge steel. Does that seem a bit overkill?

The website mentions that they have the steel all cut and rolled from their distributor. I'm relatively new to welding and metal work, but I'm having lots of fun so far.

I have a saws all, angle grinder, and a welder. Should i just have all these materials cut at the metal distributor? Is there any way to roll the steel at home

Thanks for any advice peeps.

 

If your doing this as a fun project and the time it takes does not matter weeks months etc just buy the raw materials and have at it

Rolling at home can be interesting depending on the size needing rolled finding something to roll it around .

It can be a trial and error process

The comment about 10ga was if your trying to weld this with only a stick welder 10ga was about the thinnest you might want to weld then I see people unable to weld in that process at all.

It depends if you have a local Sheet metal shop it might just be easier to have the parts sheared and rolled that you only do the welding.

So many different ways to go here

 

Good evening every one just checking back in to say hello.
I hope all is well with everyone.

nice looking smoker hope you show your progress as you build it.

 

I do have time to finish this whenever, but I'd like to get it done before the end of July, and June is pretty packed for me.

The sheet metal shop can sheer at the pieces, but said they'd have to send it out to be rolled.

Any advice on wall thickness if I'm using my MIG? The smokers at the store were pretty thin sheet.

 

The thicker it is the longer it will last

If your trying to weld butt joints in thin sheet metal without a backing strip or heat sink it can get real interesting

You might want to look around for food grade drums I have seen the small ones like 30 gallons and the 55 gallon ones it would save some time.

 

Notes taken.....

 

So if I'm looking to teach myself welding as a hobbyist for my own projects, what exactly are today's list of bare essentials I'd need? I'm thinking..

- A quality MIG welder (Lincoln? Hobart?)
- Mask
- Leather gloves/jacket
- Wiring of different sizes
- Welder tips
- Welding pliers

I have a bunch of battery-powered tools for cutting, grinding, and so forth. I also have my portable ARB twin compressor (w/ 5-gal tank) if I need that for anything.

What's a good MIG welder I can find on Amazon that I can use on my regular garage wall outlet? I heard there are welders that don't require gas?

 

Whats your end goal with the machine? IE you are wanting super pretty welds vs you just want to stick two things together? Same what thickness are you thinking youll need...super thin vs 1/2" makes a difference. Also budget....

I have the Hobart 211MVP. You can get it on sale for a pretty good price (IMO). Its dual voltage so itll run off 120 or 220. It fit my budget, needs, and future plans though.

-Mask....i like the antra (thats shown below in products discussed). The harbor freight actually gets decent reviews too. If you were wearing it all day you might go for something more expensive. As always hitting up a welding supply store and trying on different masks is the best option IMO.

-Gloves i like the Tillman. mostly cause thats what the welders at work use and they all seem to like them. Granted they use the TIG version and i use the MIG. I dont have a jacket as MIG isnt to bad for splatter (when using gas) but i do wear long sleeved shirts.

--Wire size...you probably wont switch to often so i wouldnt go buying spools of every type or anything. Pick a size (.023 or .030 probably) and stick with it. Again sort of depends what you plan to weld most of the time.

-Buy the size that fits the wire size you need. I picked up hobart ones for my hobart but pretty sure most brands are interchangeable. I think i have only tossed 1 or 2 tips in a decent amount of welding (as a hobbyist) so just picking up a 5 pack off Amazon is plenty to start with

-Welding pliers...i didnt buy any specific for welding. But i had plenty of other pliers that do the same thing so just havent invested in a pair yet.

Anyways hope that helps least a bit. Im sure the other guys who weld a bit more than me will chime in with their opinions as well so Id wait and see what they have to say

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@velillen, mostly to stick two things together. I can make them pretty by grinding it down but I just want a strong weld. I probably won't weld anything thicker than 1/4" for my truck. I'm willing to spend a few hundred for a solid new machine that'll last.

I can't seem to find the 211 anywhere online. Is the 210 just as good? It's about $800.

What wire size do you think would work best for up to 1/4" thick?

 

I would read as much as you can

If possible try to get to a demo day or two at local distributors

If your going Self Shielded wire I think .030 is the smallest wire they make.

I use .023 hard wire for just about all my welding on vehicles.

Going gas shielded You need to buy it someplace talk to the distributor Some can be idiots others can be a great resource .

Teaching yourself you might get lucky or you might develop bad habits I see people fight with for years .

Read the owners manual nothing is worse then having a customer come in saying my welder is broke when it is just there lack of understanding .

 

I'm looking to buy my first welder. I don't know much about the difference between the stick, arc, MIG, and TIG varieties -- but it was recommended to me that I start with a MIG. I was looking at this 120v Lincoln Electric welder that has the capabilities of using a shielding gas as well as flux core, and I was also looking at which has more voltage, but no shielding gas capabilities.

Should I go for the 120v Lincoln with the gas, or the 240v HF welder with flux only? Do I really even need the shielding gas? What difference does it make?

I presume the HF welder would be more powerful due to the voltage, but the Lincoln welder carries the quality and brand name as well as the shielding gas capability.

I'm hoping to use this welder to learn and hopefully in the long run. I'm planning on using it for body work, minor repairs, fabrication, things like that.

 

I got myself a Hobart 140 on Amazon. Using flux core 0.30 and don't need gas. I'm happy with it. Works on 110v. I'm new to the welding world too and it's plenty for learning on. And it is also able to be used with gas too.

 

Sorry I meant Hobart 210MVP (fat fingered to 211...)

 

Check your local high school or community college for a class worth the cost. This will keep you from picking up bad habits.