Started a three week ocy-acetalene welding course at a local tech school. Figured since my dad is never going to get around to teaching me id better learn from somewhere...at first wasnt sure if i should just learn on my own...but once we started going through all the safety and precautions i decided its better to learn the right way then perhaps a slightly skewed version of it. Its going pretty good did some pool recognition next week we start laying beeds...they seem a hell of alot harder then i figured...keeping a hand steady with nothing to lean it on... well thats all from me. After this course ill be able to arc weld my frame up. Talky
It’s better to go to school to learn welding. You’ll learn proper techniques and you’ll definitely be spending more time under supervision your pop won’t have the time to spend. For those who have welded for years this is rather elementary but I wish someone told me this years ago when I started. Doing overhead or any welding where your arms can’t be support is tricky regardless of the type of welding. The trick is to find a way to support your elbows. This prevents your arms from swaying. Many guys don’t even realize they have adapted to this technique in one way or another during the years they have welded. I am going to try to explain this in words although a picture would be better. Try it next time. Position the piece to be welded in an area that you don’t have to lift your elbows off your sides. If need be get a stool or ladder. By reaching the piece with your elbows secured this way.. You can be very steady. When welding with a mig, Example..Hold your left elbow against your left side and secure your right elbow with your left hand cupping the right elbow. Vice versa if you’re left handed. This will allow you to reach farther out and run longer beads without having to stop to change position. I used to tig weld very thin stainless on skin of tanker trailers with these techniques to a point where I could actually walk down a ladder running a three or four foot section without stopping the arc. Not bragging.. It was just a matter of learning the techniques and I spent way too many years welding to finally figure it out. J Like my artistic talents?
in that second picture, is the guy just really excited about what he's welding? i don't see his arms in that one... seriously, thank you for the tips, they will be put into use here shortly.
Those drawings do kick ass, and you are right. I spent a while learning how to mig by watching friends and self teaching, but I recently got into the welding program at ACC here in Austin. So far it has been fantanstic, and I can torch weld like crazy now. I'm taking oxy-acet., arc, and layout/fab this semester. Next semester I'm taking tig and mig. My instructor told me that learning oxy first helps you to be a better tig welder. Hopefully, he is right. I say take some classes. It doesn't cost that much, and so far I have learned a ton.
thanks for the tips ill try them out next class...yah next semeseter im thinking of either taking a tig, mig or autobody repair course...havent decided which one yet.
ive just started college her in the uk.ive been mig wleding since i was about 14 so about 3 years but all the other stuff ive tryed but never been taught what to do.at the moment its mostly sheet metal cutting and folding etc but next week we are gas welding the tool boxes we have made.also at work ive been leaning how to stick weld which is very difficult especially with one hand.but i love learning all this stuff next on the list is lead loading.
I'm a welder by trade, so here's a trick for you to keep your arm steady if you're welding something overhead. This works best on ARC welding. Throw your welding lead over something, then tie a knot in it leaving enough lead for you to be able to have movement. Once you have a knot tied in it, make a big loop, and put your arm in the loop. Now you have a built in armrest.
For gas welding, practice first with no filler rod. Use both hands on the torch to keep it steady. Watch the puddle! After you get this part down, start dipping the rod in once in a while to see how it melts into the puddle. Only add rod to keep the puddle from getting concave. John www.ghiaspecialties.com
I'm also a welder by trade. Certified AWS. My biggest issue was when looking into learning how to weld via trade schools, it was a big $1500 tuition per semester & when you passed, you just got a certificate of completion. You still were NOT certified with the AWS. I in turn, located a welding inspector through Kirk Welding Supplies who referred me to an inspector. After talking to the welding inspector, he agreed to take me as an apprentice for a certain number of free labor hours per week from me. Just like martial arts, he charged $50 tp $60 per test procedure pass or fail. Every cert passed I got the paperwork showing I was certified for that procedure through the AWS. So if taking a trade school, you'll probly still need to find an inspector to test under to become certified. Also, if you just go to a weld company, they will cert you as say employee cert'd under XYZ Co. Bad thing about that is when you quit or terminated, they automatically pull your paper work & your no longer cert'd w/ AWS under that Co. Cert'ing privately under your own name through a welding inspector, basically cert's you in all 50 states & you will not loose your cert unless a welding inspector actually views a crappy weld performed by you and then pulls your paperwork. This may be helpful if you decide to start your own fab shop or actually want to work as a cert'd welder. Carl Hagan here in KC-KS
one of the first things my welding instructor told us is that there's nothing wrong with supporting your hand on something; and the better you support your hand the better your welds will turn out.
another quick question from the welders here, i think my problem was that i was trying to weld my plate to high, should i weld with my elbow below 90 degrees? OR is it just preference.
man, joe, you've holding out on us during friday night art shows! what gives..... good tip.....and yes, i "thought" i could weld before i took welding courses (still learning!)
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