Anything welding

Go on any community college or trade school website that's around you, and see if they offer any welding classes. I also found an artist co-op the teachers welding classes. That's the one I took. It cost $130

A lot of the community college courses are going to be the whole semester, and geared towards tradesmen.they're going to be more expensive and a much more comprehensive course than a one time class. These classes were $400-$500

I was happy to buy a used welder on Craigslist. Take your time. Research what size machine you'll need.

You'll notice that all the brands have essentially the same machine lineup. Puny little squirt machines, 140 V machine, and 180 V machine, and they just keep going up from there.

I scoured Craigslist and mentally noted prices until I knew how to discern a good deal. Once I knew a good deal and knew the machine I wanted, I scooped one up.

Just take your time and keep reading and going back and forth and re reading and studying all the shit you'll need to buy.

Stay on budget!

 

I like the auto-darkening helmet.

 

How old are you that there weren't cut off wheels available?

 

What are you talking about?

 

Just thinking that you can grade your weld by cutting it.

 

One more question (probably many more who am I kidding) would MIG or TIG be better for SAS swap type stuff? Maybe if I learn to weld well enough I could start on that little project. I know TIG is harder but looks cleaner but I've seen a lot of debating about a good MIG being just as strong as a TIG weld. I'm guessing MIG would be okay for SAS swap fabbing?

 

It all comes down to your skill With either process .

Tig welding your prep time might easily be three times that of mig

I would not want to Tig unless it was all new material .

Once you understand what your looking for all the processes blend at least for me

Some people have some trouble adding filler to the puddle for some just some practice others struggle for quite a while

Welds can be tested in a bend test then you count the defects

You can do a tensile test if you have the machine

 

Took me while, I had just woke up. Yes, destructive testing is capable.

 

Quick answer.

TIG works the best if you are comfortable working at a bench. Not so easy when laying on the ground in a mud puddle welding upside down.

MIG is quick and reliable for SAS, as well as a million other welding jobs.

The learning curve for TIG is 10x that of MIG.

You can make great looking welds MIG or TIG. Who gives a shit once you put a coat of paint on the weld.

 

here are a few pics of the welds I laid today. First time w the home setup.



That's all of them in one shot.



Here is my first "group" kind of all over each other as I wanted to get as many laid down as possible.



Testing out wire speed. Bottom columns are wire speed "7"

Next set above is at 6

Above that is 5

Above that I laid a couple on 4 but it sounded so bad. I thought 7ish sounded and felt the best.



The last section w all the same voltage and wire speed 7 D as it reads on my machine.

 

Just got a new one I went with the Viking 3350. it has 4 sensors. I weld at work so I don't have a home welder maybe some day. ...there is an auction coming up soon.

 

Back in the olden before Dinosaurs they taught Oxy-Fuel welding and brazing before even SMAW

So when it came to Tig I thought my goodness this is simple learned with a thumb control

While I have TIG welded headers on Drag cars on the Car The trick was cutting the filler rod to about 10"

 

Ahh, the things that were fixed with a coat hanger and torches!

 

I do know you can make some good spending money with basic MIG welding skills.

I can't count the times I have fixed bar stools or something similar. Usually the job was less than 5 minutes to do and that included prep. Most people have no trouble handing you a $20 bill.

You cant make that kind of money with a TIG welding rig. The preparation ruins the profit margin.

I do admit TIG welding looks nice, but it has no purpose in hobby welders garage.

FWIW, i consider myself a hobbyist welder.

Becoming a proficient MIG welder is much more attainable.

 

Can stick weld with a my TIG, and fix my mother in laws stainless steel potatoe masher. I justified my TIG purchase by telling my self I got 2 machines for the price of one

 

Finished up a dual spare chase rack for my buddy's truck today. Fun little project.

 

I know many so called Professional welders who could never come close to your aptitude building your boat !!

Then taking Beer Money or even Beer itself`s keeps you in the professional class !!!!

 

BS.

I constantly switch from stick to mig to tig and then my AC tig. Depending on the job each welder has a different purpose. For the starting "hobbyist" who has no skills and needs an electric glue gun then mig is the best starting point being that it can do very thin yet reasonably thick if you do multipass.

I also have a lathe, plasma cutter, foot operated brake press, metal hole punch and sheer. Each one offers abilities that expand my shop's capabilities.

Do I need this much equipment as a hobbyist? No and yes. No I can get by with less. But it may take me longer or not look as professional. For me the goal is always to look as good or better than an off the self item. I don't want someone looking at my work and saying it looks home made. I would rather turn away work that isn't profitable or doesn't interest me than have people turn me away because my work is sub par. I don't look for work. It finds me. Not bad for a home garage.

Here is a collage of what has been built in my garage. Every weld process used.

 

I agree.

You Have a shop. Most people only have a garage or the drive to work out of.

The equipment that you have is not really relevant to 99 percent of the hobbyist on this site.

You have business that requires the tools you listed. The guys here that want to build their own bumper don't need or have room for the stuff you listed.

I still won't endorse TIG welding as a 1st welding task to master.

 

Why? It's clean, it's a lot slower process. I believe it has helped improved my MIG quality. Having control of the heat, Its 10xs easier to manipulate a puddle. When you pull the trigger on a MIG you better keep up. On A TIG you got all the time in the world. And if I wait until I master TIG, well I'll be dead. Always something to learn. I have a press brake, plasma cutter, 2 welders , tube bender, air compressor, set of dimple dies, and a small Fab table that has helped my weld quality. Being able to lay out a project is very helpful. And I have never taken a dime for anything I've done 99 percent hobby. I have accepted beer once or twice does that make me semi pro?