Anything welding

I just stumbled across this and I am sure that my questions have been answered but if I can avoid reading all 68 pages I will.

I have always wanted to learn how to weld, but because of the family I don't have time for a full on class. I don't know any welders I can hang out with and learn by watching. I know that there are different welders for different materials and I will research that on my own when I decide what is the best process for my needs. So what I want to know is what would you guys recommend doing? I'm not looking to make a living at this. I just want to be able to create what I need when I need it, or repair things when I break them. Thanks for the input.

 

I had absolutely no experience welding and all I did was watch some youtube videos and I'm doing pretty good IMO. Bobbed my bed, built my bumper and other misc stuff.

Look for instructional intro to welding videos in whatever welding style you're looking for and basically ANY videos from http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

 

Thanks!

 

Well crap that's such an obvious answer. For some reason something so obvious was eluding me. Thanks for link, I'll start there.

 

That was kind of how I read it too.

I guess it's good you made a couple of passes but if the welds are cold and you start pulling on the recovery point, it's likely to come off-spectacularly. And that could seriously hurt someone.

 

X2 if its just a T joint i would not pull from that. A properly built recovery point should be through the bumper and welded from behind as well. Even with full penetration if its not through the bumper you will risk ripping right off causing a lot of harm or even death if someone is in the path.

 

Youtube is a great tool to teach you the basics. I would get a nice 110v mig welder and just start sticking stuff together. Unless you can afford a 220v then get the biggest welder you can afford. Most welders have powder and wire speed recommendations on them for the thicknesses your welding. Once you find your speed you can set them you your liking. I normally run hotter then recommended on the welders but i run fast. Someone just starting out should stick to slower speeds to develop your flow. Concentrate on good penetration and strong welds don't go trying to make it pretty that's what Tig is for. There is alot of misconception of what a "good weld is" a lot of guys think its all looked and that is the last thing you want to worry about. It will come with time but get your welds good and strong first then you can play with different motions to get your beads looking prettier.

Start with tight circular movements starting dead center between the two pieces of material. Always remember clean materials always so a flap disk to the welded area will help produce a better weld.

 

What jlee said except i would also recommend a flux core welder, small, easy to use, no gas, and can also be used as mig if you want to. Most likely for what you want 110v will be fine, and cheaper.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. During bourbon time tonight when everyone is in bed I'll start taking a look at some videos. I'll get a 110 for now because it will most likely end up showing off my dust collecting skills. But I could get addicted and have to upgrade to something better.

I'm thinking that my first project will be some brackets so I can mount my Yakima rack to the bed rails.



Because I couldn't resist

That's what she said.

 

lol reminds me if welding class

 

Thats correct. Its just a T joint.

thanks for the info guys. When i made them i just asked my instructor how i should do it, but apparently he was wrong lol looks like these are gonna get grinded off and proper ones built. I would hate to have someone get hurt.

 

The recovery points on my bumper are actually T shaped and fit through a slot in the bumper. Welded front and back.

 

Can you post up a picture of this? I have some bruteforce bumpers and I'm not sure if they are proper recover points now. I looked behind the point but it looks there's a sheet running behind it so I'm not sure.

 

Humm I thought he had his coming through the bumper and welded on the back side as well I've powder coated one of his rear bumpers and I was sure they came through to the back side.

 

My bumper is a Shrockworks bumper. Think of the standard recovery point with a 1/4" tab on ether side of the tab. All it does is keep the tab from coming through the bumper by spreading the load across the bumper.

What Jerry is describing, slotting the bumper and putting the tab all the way through, welding both front and back does the same thing-the tabs Shrockworks uses add a bit more strength is all.

 

I'm thinking he does but I'm not sure. Let me snap a pic and you guys tell me. I've used them to get tugged along before a couple times and haven't had a problem.

 

Looks like this. Sorry for the crap graphic but you get the idea.

 

Gotcha. That doesn't look like what's going on the pics I posted unless I'm not seeing it correctly. The points in line with that other piece of metal but it's two different pieces and I'm not seeing it flare out the back side to indicate it coming through.

 

Yeah those are just T joint welded I myself would't pull too hard form those they could rip off pretty easily if you pull hard enough.