Hey yall Like I said. I'm young and constricted daily by my parents will to break me of anything that keeps me outside in the garage for half the day and night. I am in need of a welder but have no way of getting one. I currently pay for all my shit (phone, gas, insurance, car repairs, and sometimes food) When you guys were scrappers, did you ever end up in my situation? If so, lay down some tasty remedies. I do have a friend with a lincoln stick welder but I'm a bit wary of that on panels and fenders. *I do know how to weld after a year of it in school and my grandaddies teachings. Just wanted to throw that out there. thanks a bunch, fatty.
I started fooling with my 55 Chevy when I was 15. First thing I needed was a job. Then I scrounged for parts and help where ever I could find it, friends, family. You said your grandfather taught you to weld. Sounds like a good place to start. If he's willing to help, tap that resource!!
Its a tough one to say but my Gramps left us a couple of summers ago and I have a job but 3/4 of my money is forced into the bank by my parents. I talked to couple of older rodders in town and they were more than willing to help but they all think hibuck showcar stuff. I didnthave the heart to tell them that it was my goal to spend the least possible and not make my truck shiny pretty. tractor and supply has rentable wire feeds and tanks but Im not sure how much they want for one.
Home Depot & Lowe's also have rentals. Along with most welding shops. Tell your folks to let you put aside some money for an "equipment fund". A welder is something you will use often and it won't be a one-time use sort of thing.
I'm sure very few of us had it all when we were 15. We just scrounged, begged, borrowed, rented etc to scrape by. See if you can join a local rod club, and get friendly with some of the guys. Once they see that you're determined, they'll likely be a big help to you in terms of info, physical help, or maybe lending out some gear.
While I think that saving money is important, at your age saving money by throwing it in a bank is a total waste. Investing in durable goods that don't decline in value is a much better way to let the money work for you. Tell that to your parents.
I paid about $300 for my wire welder new from summitt racing a few years ago. Maybe you could put back a little at a time. Its the best investment i ever made.
Most welding supply stores have mig welders cheap, now you can rent one and have the rental put towards the purchase.The first welder I bought was for someone else, I borrowed a welder and the garage burnt so I had to buy the guy a new welder.
I have been seeing great deals on CL, swap meets, & flea markets lately. An off shore welder will get you started until you can afford to buy better stuff. Good Luck hunting
I worked at a welding supply store when I was a teen. I saved up and got a hell of a discount. Make friends with someone that works at a store that sells em and have him/her buy it with your cash. Usually the markup is more than 50% over cost. I got it at 7% over.
I bought my first car weeks before I turned 13 and it was paper route, mowing, odd jobs money that made it possible to start that early. When I was 15, my '57 Bel Air had a 396 and muncie and the steel tilt I dreamed of I had bought all the steel and "blueprints" drawn up and after waiting for ever ( a few weeks) My cousin was kind enough to borrow a welder and make my dreams come true! Wow! What a walk down memory lane. Point is be patient, all good things will come if you stay focused and have a logical plan and like the previous stated, start a shop equipment fund and shop and plan, ask plenty of questions! You have some of the greatest gearhead minds today right here........
When I was young we didnt use welders .Pop rivets Then we applied filler over that.Also you can solder patches .I dont know the formula for deneutrilizing the solder.Alot of guys at the hamb do.Just save your money for a welder You could also try to join a car club.
tell your parents that you plan on messing with old cars all your life and that buying a good quality USA made welder is a investment that will serve you for many years. it will eventually save you money over renting one , and with the inflation that is due to hit us now is the time to buy one. in fact having a welder could actually make you some money if you did some small welding jobs for $$
furyIIIkid, If you have access to torches go with the The37kid route. If limited to one or the other I'd go with torches to weld, cut, heat and beat. I agree that after experience with a torch the rest is easier. Learn to do it correctly. The other tip is to it safely. Wear gloves and hearing protection. Work in a clean area. Keep your fingers and you might be around long enough to enjoy it. Learn the trade before learning the tricks of the trade. Good Luck
Tell your folks that a welder can bring in income and that it will also come in handy when something made from steel breaks, you can fix it(outdoor patio furniture, etc...). Not to mention bartering with your buddies...or taking the 'broken' stuff off their hands for them and fixing it to re-use/re-build for your self. .....Something about the 'teach a man to fish' story applies here...
hey furry tree kid where are ya at in nd? and what do you want to build..and welding is a good skill to have, nd has more welders per capita than any other state, but alot of us are unemplyed right now
If your friend has a stick welder, then you have the heavy stuff covered. All you need then is a cheap 110v mig for sheet metal. Look at clarke welders, check ebay, my son bought a clarke there at a pretty good price, and it's a really nice little welder. A lot of guys will bash them, but the guys who own them seem to love them.
When you get a little older you'll be glad your parents were making you put money away. I know I am. Nothing or value comes easy, and coming to realise that what you want may take a little longer then you want it too (hard pill to swallow, I know) it'll make it all that much better when you get there, right? Get a job, work hard at it and show your parents that you are serious about it. Shit will work out man, it always does. Best of luck!
I 2nd the motion, tools of the trade are essentials, tell them you want to pursue welding as a career and you can make $$ off the equiptment and be able to practice all the time ! Show great interest to the idea and they should melt eventually
Hey if you can afford shipping fron so cal I will give ya a modified 110 volt china freight flux core welder. works great and was one I got cheap from family. Let me know and give me all details about shipping name address city state phone number and I will use fedex Hope this helps Ken
Hang in there guy my parents hated it would not let go to the school I wanted. Could not keep a car in the yard. When I was about 50 years old my mother told me she had accepted the fact that I was not going to quit playing with cars when I "grew up".Try to explain to your parents the value of owning atool and the skill to use it.This has real value that lasts nowadays money in the bank can go away all by itself.
They're right you're 15, make friends, borrow, rent, you never know....might meet an old guy that would love to mentor a future car guy.
Patience, when people see your interest they'll come to you in time ie hey kid I found an extra (name it). there is a set of plans somewere here to make your own electrical welder from a coupla magnatrons out of large old microwaves. I looked it over the theory is correct and it'll work, you just need to fear electricution, and be able to wind up a little scrap copper.
Check the Pawn shops , they have some good deals sometimes, Check the product over very carefully to make sure it works good . AND Just be careful because they like to stick everyone coming and going.. good luck.............young buck..........
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