Welding school to Graduation and stuff in between!

Level is irrelevant. Post up what you have/like.

 

I have several cheap HF tools that I got as backup to Bosch pro series stuff. Guess which ones have been back for rebuild and which ones still keep on going? Yeah they're big, bulky, loud, but I can't break a hf tool apparently

 

Speaking of HF, I've got my eye on their 170 Titanium series welder

Last year I was talking about getting a Hobart 140, but the more I read and watch about the HF, the more I want it.

 

I've got a Lincoln 140, and so far has done everything I've asked of it. I've got 220 so would like something a bit more powerful, but ideally I'd like something to tig aluminum with. I might end up with a Titanium AC/DC Tig at some point

 

Don't want to get ahead of myself really but I thought of it this way;

I want to track my progress from when I start cutting, brazing, get into stick, and move on to MIG and TIG.

Having a welder at the new house will allow me to work on and improve where I may need more time/experience for school.

Hoping this serves as a virtual stepping stone for others that wish to pursue welding whether it be as a hobby, or professionally.

Again, I'm starting without both knowledge or experience.

 

I have basically zero training, bought the Lincoln from my buddy, watched a million YouTube videos, and started welding stuff. I'll never make a job out of it, but for personal projects, if I can stick 2 pieces of metal together without having to burn through 3 flap discs I'm happy

 

I am not certified. And learned to weld trial by fire. I do mig, stick, and tig.
But aluminum is no walk in the park.

I love welding, I am no pro. But it's definitely one of the best parts of my day.

Good luck to you sir.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/denver-hobart-handler-140.735561/

This is a solid deal for a Hobart. My honest advise though is to wait to buy a welder until you’re almost done or completely done with the program. With the knowledge you gain through school, you’ll end up wanting to upgrade out of any entry level welder you buy now. Your skills will surpass the equipment you’re currently looking at.

 

This is spot on !! Get as much experience on as many different machines as you can.

Then buy the machine that will best meet your needs .

When I was putting in 60 hours a week the last thing I wanted on time off was to be any where near a welding machine.

Depending on how your welding Lab is used it never hurts to ask the teacher if you can get more time in the booth.

 

Week 2: Cutting!

Today I learned the basics of oxyfuel cutting.

Safety first course, so we went through checking hoses and regulators. One hose had a tiny cut in the protective sleeve so it was discarded. Afterward found another and went on to hooking it all up.

Checked for leaks afterward; everything good and tight -



Afterward, learned the different pressures to use on the regulator, and what not to exceed.

That crash course was over and quick so onto application -



My first cut must've been good because I made a hell of an impression on the instructor.

I did shut off the torch out of safety but I guess it became a good habit because then I would get used to "how much fuel/oxygen" I would open up on the torch each time.

After another cut, instructor let me go ham and cut as much as I want -





There were multiple other "coupons" I cut but they were still too hot to handle so I didn't grab pictures of those.

Was definitely a morale boost considering not only the instructor, but all the classmates told me I've done better than anyone else they've seen cut on their first day. Some of them said they still can't cut as well and they're multiple modules ahead

 

Very Good !! Not as good as you will be if you if you hand cut all the time.

I know people years in the trade that are much worse

Then with CNC Plasma tables and Water jets cutting in the field is not as common in my younger days

 

Yeah, some guys mentioned not using it often (some have experience welding, not their first time) but no one said it isn't useful to know or do either.

Kind of fun keeping this thread as some sort of log book.

 

As your still not sure just what direction your heading being able to cut with a torch is a great skill to have .

The better your cut the less clean and prep time any time saving is always good.

The whole idea of the cutting table go from the table right to welding

 

Everyone is guna start calling you Bug-o

 

Ha ha Ha I wonder how many get the joke??

 

Bug-O

 

Love it

 

Wow I have not seen one of those in years .

It was the go to if you had lots of straight line cuts in the field

People forget just what a oxy- fuel set up can cut .

 

Well shit, today was interesting.

First off, rather than cut through plain old steel again I had to cut through some welds.

I didn't get a picture of the stick welding I cut through but that really sucked. It kept splattering everywhere even with me trying to push the pooling outward.

Cutting through a MIG weld was easy -



Cutting through this proved challenging at first.

Two 1/16" or 1/8" (I think, they were thin) pieces welded together with an air pocket between the two. This was interesting because the metal is so thin, it cuts through the top layer easily but takes a bit getting to cut the second. Just before the second starts cutting through, the top just wants to melt

Fortunately I figured out how to get through it and cut it all the way through -



Thin metal like this would normally get a saw or so I'm told, this is just to get me to familiarize myself with oxyfuel cutting.

Decided to get creative as the instructor's aid gave me this cubicle looking thing to cut and destroy.

Freehand heart -



After that, I set off to cut through stacked 3/16" steel MIG welded together, which was the most challenging yet -



All was good and I was safe as usual. Cleaned up my area and put my PPE away.

Got asked for help in the shop to move a table only to lay my hand on a hot piece of metal (table stand) that just had a plate welded onto it.

Fuck that sucked but lesson learned, don't take off your gloves even when you're done, just in case you have to help others and touch stuff you're unsure of.