|
|
Post by parson on Feb 4, 2017 13:32:22 GMT -5
Thinking about getting a MIG welder just for hobby stuff. Never have welded. Is it a difficult skill to learn?
|
|
|
|
Post by stevein on Feb 4, 2017 13:50:34 GMT -5
Mig is probably the easiest to learn. I Mig welded after I knew how to stick weld and for the most part I thought it easy.
You can weld both steel and aluminum on a Mig with the appropriate wire and gas. The more you practice the better you will be. You might check to see if there are any beginner welding classes in your area or if anyone you know could help you get started. In addition to the welder you will need a tank of Co2 for steel and Argon for aluminum. My experience with aluminum is very limited so I am not sure if different materials require different wire or not.
It has been 35 years since I welded for a living. I have done some welding as a complement to my machining since then but have not kept up on progress in the field.
|
|
|
|
Post by bill9068 on Feb 4, 2017 17:53:18 GMT -5
I bought a cheap harbour freight wire welder, fun to play with and have even used for repairs on this and that. Cost about 90 bucks new and wire roll is about 20 bucks and lasts me a year or so.
|
|
|
|
Post by duke71790 on Feb 4, 2017 21:03:23 GMT -5
Mig welding is pretty easy to learn. I can't say I'm an awesome welder because I don't do it everyday but the key is setting the welder for what your welding. Basically how fast it feeds wire and how much it penetrates.
|
|
|
|
Post by nfalls116 on Feb 4, 2017 21:15:18 GMT -5
Welding isn't that hard to learn but it takes skill to be good at.
My main advice if starting with wire welder is to keep a pair of wire cutters handy.
|
|
|
|
Post by tjmurf on Feb 4, 2017 23:39:58 GMT -5
I have used both gas and flux core. Go with the gas, flux is a pain.
|
|
|
|
Post by nfalls116 on Feb 5, 2017 6:24:17 GMT -5
I learned on a Lincoln tombstone stick welder very easy machine to operate
|
|
|
|
Post by welder on Feb 5, 2017 7:38:49 GMT -5
I have used both gas and flux core. Go with the gas, flux is a pain. Flux cored is also very expensive. |
|
|
|
Post by scrub-buster on Feb 5, 2017 8:33:23 GMT -5
Welding isn't that hard to learn but it takes skill to be good at. My main advice if starting with wire welder is to keep a pair of wire cutters handy. I agree with Nfalls. The maintenance guy at work can do perfect welds on any type of material. When I welded the cross bars on my trailer I watched a youtube video on how to wire weld before I started. My welds were solid but no where near as pretty as the maintenance guys. And I did use a wire cutter pretty often. |
|
|
|
Post by parson on Feb 5, 2017 8:58:15 GMT -5
Appreciate the input. I have also watched a few youtube vids. There appears to be some pretty helpful sites on line. I'm going to try to find someone close by that can coach me some.
|
|
|
|
Post by welder on Feb 5, 2017 11:30:43 GMT -5
Appreciate the input. I have also watched a few youtube vids. There appears to be some pretty helpful sites on line. I'm going to try to find someone close by that can coach me some. Don't be afraid to ask me if you need any help,I have been practicing for 27 years! LOL |
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Feb 5, 2017 12:13:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by parson on Feb 5, 2017 13:03:01 GMT -5
Reminds me of the last church building program I was involved with, and a fellow who "knew how" to mud drywall! |
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Feb 5, 2017 15:52:33 GMT -5
I have used both gas and flux core. Go with the gas, flux is a pain. I agree. I bought a cheap harbor freight flux core Mig welder and took it back. I'm spoiled by using a MIller welder and a spool gun with gas. |
|
