Welding Advice?
Discussion
I'm looking to get in to welding, planning self-teach... Now I'm sure there are far better places to ask about this stuff. But as I'm looking to get in to welding solely for the intention for working on cars, future projects and builds, I thought I'd ask on here!
From the research I've done a lot depends on what you're welding which I have already answered, cars! Now I believe the easiest technique to learn is MIG, which I have a basic unpracticed understanding of. Can this technique be used for car chassis and such? If not or if so, is it the most commonly used way of working on/with cars?
I suppose to get to the point I'm looking for info on welding to do with cars and the best way to approach getting set-up to teach myself welding at home for work on cars and any recommendations for the best kit to buy. (I have some ideas in advance with regards to kit, but I'm not sure if it's suitable for work on cars. If that's even a factor...)
Thanks in advance!
From the research I've done a lot depends on what you're welding which I have already answered, cars! Now I believe the easiest technique to learn is MIG, which I have a basic unpracticed understanding of. Can this technique be used for car chassis and such? If not or if so, is it the most commonly used way of working on/with cars?
I suppose to get to the point I'm looking for info on welding to do with cars and the best way to approach getting set-up to teach myself welding at home for work on cars and any recommendations for the best kit to buy. (I have some ideas in advance with regards to kit, but I'm not sure if it's suitable for work on cars. If that's even a factor...)
Thanks in advance!
Nanook said:
I was in a similar position to you a few years ago. Found a course at a local college, every Thursday night from 6 till 9 for ten weeks, learning to MIG weld. Cost me £75.
It was excellent, the tutor was great, I helped him with some of the theory and he helped me with the practical, the gear was all top notch, thoroughly enjoyed it.
I did the same, but mine was a bit longer and taught loads of methods - oxy-acetalene welding/brazing, stick/arc, MIG, a little TIG, plasma cutting, torch cutting then a couple of weeks on practical application, e.g. MIG welding upside down. No way I could've taught myself all that without £30k of equipment, and I came out of it knowing some good techniques and the principles behind it.It was excellent, the tutor was great, I helped him with some of the theory and he helped me with the practical, the gear was all top notch, thoroughly enjoyed it.
But it could be worth looking in to! 
Definitely MIG, arc is no good for thin stuff (i.e. cars) and TIG is mega bux.
I only do little bits on cars self taught. I always find you spend an hour in prep for a few seconds of welding. You will need an angle grinder with thin cutting discs, fat grinding discs and a wire wheel for cleaning things up before welding.
CO2/Argon mix seems to work best for me.
Gasless / flux core wire = crap. It's only for if you have to weld in a windy place really.
Videos on youtube aren't a bad place to study the basics! basic technique and messing with wire speed and power to get the right penetration and not too much heat build up.
Have fun
I only do little bits on cars self taught. I always find you spend an hour in prep for a few seconds of welding. You will need an angle grinder with thin cutting discs, fat grinding discs and a wire wheel for cleaning things up before welding.
CO2/Argon mix seems to work best for me.
Gasless / flux core wire = crap. It's only for if you have to weld in a windy place really.
Videos on youtube aren't a bad place to study the basics! basic technique and messing with wire speed and power to get the right penetration and not too much heat build up.
Have fun
As has been said already, an evening class is worth its weight in gold.
There is some technique to be learnt - how you hold the torch, the angle and distance. Then how you move it along the joint, speed of travel and the C or e shape you continually weave as you move. Power and wire speed are important too.
Having said that, for car bodywork you're basically going to be doing tacks spaced about 1" apart, gradually joining them up.
Buy slitting disks by the 100, they're much cheaper that way. Don't buy fat grinding disks, flap disks are so much better. You'd think you were sanding wood the way they remove metal.
There is some technique to be learnt - how you hold the torch, the angle and distance. Then how you move it along the joint, speed of travel and the C or e shape you continually weave as you move. Power and wire speed are important too.
Having said that, for car bodywork you're basically going to be doing tacks spaced about 1" apart, gradually joining them up.
Buy slitting disks by the 100, they're much cheaper that way. Don't buy fat grinding disks, flap disks are so much better. You'd think you were sanding wood the way they remove metal.
A welding course of some description is essential. I have seen so many amateur welding horrors on cars, oh trikes are the worst!
Problem is, geezer buys cheap mig welder, pulls the trigger, lays a line of pigeon s
t, and, hey look, I can weld! No you can't.
I have been asked many times on this subject, and I always recommend a full course starting with gas - that teaches you far more. Then progress to mig or tig.
When I learnt to weld there wasn't any such thing as mig, so I had 15 years gas experience before using a mig.
Practice, practice. Check how strong and how penetrated your welds are. and there isn't any slag inclusion (sounds like some bleeding heart in the Lounge!). Then start on your car.
Problem is, geezer buys cheap mig welder, pulls the trigger, lays a line of pigeon s
t, and, hey look, I can weld! No you can't.I have been asked many times on this subject, and I always recommend a full course starting with gas - that teaches you far more. Then progress to mig or tig.
When I learnt to weld there wasn't any such thing as mig, so I had 15 years gas experience before using a mig.
Practice, practice. Check how strong and how penetrated your welds are. and there isn't any slag inclusion (sounds like some bleeding heart in the Lounge!). Then start on your car.
I just bought a MIG and all the accessories, did loads of reading, practiced on bits of sheet metal and then took what I had learnt and applied it to my rather crusty 944.
I got some good results, had it checked by a pro and he said it was more than acceptable, the difference is, he could do it better, in a quarter of the time, or less.
It is so satisfying when you get it right and you get double man points when operating a MIG, even if you arent much good it it
just try to avoid setting fire to yourself, your motor or your surroundings, which is VERY easy, so look into the safety aspects, decent mask for example.
I got some good results, had it checked by a pro and he said it was more than acceptable, the difference is, he could do it better, in a quarter of the time, or less.
It is so satisfying when you get it right and you get double man points when operating a MIG, even if you arent much good it it
just try to avoid setting fire to yourself, your motor or your surroundings, which is VERY easy, so look into the safety aspects, decent mask for example.Aside from being shown the basics while at uni, I'm pretty much self taught. I would still recommend a course, it probably took me years of doing bits and pieces to learn what I would've done in a few hours, I've also had the benefit of using it at work and always having people who can advise me.
The thing that made the biggest difference for me was getting a decent welder with the right gas. You can get a second hand professional welder for the same price as a new hobby one which is what I did and Argonshield light gas which is perfect for thin steel. If you're restoring a car, a spotwelder is a great investment, you won't be able to use it everywhere, but when you can it's so much faster and neater
The thing that made the biggest difference for me was getting a decent welder with the right gas. You can get a second hand professional welder for the same price as a new hobby one which is what I did and Argonshield light gas which is perfect for thin steel. If you're restoring a car, a spotwelder is a great investment, you won't be able to use it everywhere, but when you can it's so much faster and neater
Firstly, you can't teach yourself to weld; you can only learn from others, be that from direct tuition or by indirect methods such as the internet or reading books. This doesn't refer to Dippy Derik down the drive who bought a "toy" plant and never did find out what all those buttons did, or the stuff he put on Youtube.
Secondly, 80% of "work on car bodies" is not the welding, but the sheet metal work in making the repair / replacement panels, and the tools needed to do this.
Just my opinion you understand.
Paul G
Secondly, 80% of "work on car bodies" is not the welding, but the sheet metal work in making the repair / replacement panels, and the tools needed to do this.
Just my opinion you understand.
Paul G
If you really want to learn to 'hobby weld' the advice to go on a course is the way to go.
Practice on thicker material before you try to weld tissue paper thin steel which is already oxidised, you'll just loose heart,
Most procecceses are within reach if the hobby welder depending how serious you are, but you really need to weigh up the outlay £££ against the actual use you will get out of it.
Practice on thicker material before you try to weld tissue paper thin steel which is already oxidised, you'll just loose heart,
Most procecceses are within reach if the hobby welder depending how serious you are, but you really need to weigh up the outlay £££ against the actual use you will get out of it.
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