i'm basically in the same boat. 1) Sorry for hi-jacking the thread----i do that alot. 2) Let's simplify and slow this down to the most basic level---for me, because i need it. 3) i don't know how to weld and don't know **** about welding. 4) Basically, all i want to know is, what kind of welding do i need to be able to weld up a tube-frame ch***is such as: a) and/or to weld tabs/brackets to it (even if/when i learn to weld, i would probably have a pro weld the frame for safety reasons, but i can handle the tabs/brackets etc.) b) i know TIG is prettier/higher quality than mig, but i don't care about looks---i just want something that will get the job done. c) What type of welding(s) would i need to do similar projects? I.e., welding an engine mount or spring or shock bracket to a stock frame.
After many years of needing to have stuff welded, I finally broke down and took a welding course at the local JC last fall. No welding was available in High School, and i went on from there. I took a course that was simply working with a torch, both welding and cutting. I bought a small 110 wire-feed, no gas unit about 5 years ago, but couldn't hardly stick metal together with it the few times I tried. Now, after some training with gas, I can read a weld, identify how much amperage to give a weld and do OK. The cl*** I took was well worth the time. I'm not at a professional level, but I don't do it every day. Devin
I feel your pain...I was just about to take cl***es but all of a sudden my uncle needed a helper for part time work to fab some fences and my cousin offered to teach me basics at his shop...I've wanted to learn forever. I found out that the Comm college courses are a step in the right direction...you will at least get contacts with car guys and such to learn better. There are a lot of tricks to the trade so I know that maybe a certification might even be a little short....
Now you're sounding like a salesman! You know, "look at all the nasty stuff this fancy vac***e ****ed outta your matress!" Did Kevin put you up to this? Kevin, if 220 volts is all I need to be like you, I'm in! A ch***is like that? One answer. TIG. With that many tubes, a mild steel ch***is will weigh 2.785 tons! Chrome-moly can be used there at half the wall thickness, cutting the weight in half. You can get a MIG wire suitable for Chrome-moly and run CO2 rather than argon mix, but it just wouldn't be in the same league as a nice TIG ch***is. Thos ebrackets and tabs can still be very tricky on chrome-moly for a novice like me. My TIG work just ****s. Back to our student welder! You have lots of offers on the table. Just tell us how we can help. Like said before, we owe you one.
OK, maybe that was a bad example. Let's say a tube frame without that many tubes---say an altered or dragster AND it's mild steel, not chromoly.
i did the cl*** first and got certified.then i found a friend who was a real good welder and learned more in an afternoon than i did in the whole college course.but that probably would not have worked had i not had the cl*** background.also get as much self taught as you can before cl***. the more you know going in the more you get out of the cl***es.
I f I were closer I'd sure offer to help. I'm no expert, but like my Dad and Uncle's told me when I was little if you can write your name you can usually weld........with a lot of practice!!! I've taught 4-5 people and had no complaints. Michael
MIG or Stick would be fine. Stick was about all you saw in most garages for many decades. Some sanctioning bodies my no longer allow it, but MIG is used in racing everyday.
Which is easiest/cheapest? Also, i would prefer to stay away from g***es---i'm always afraid of an explosion.
I gotta tell ya fellas, for someone who thinks they are a tough Infantryman, I am blown away by the offers of ***istance and great tips. I will heed the majority and do more research on getting into a local cl***. And for all who offered help, I will keep you in mind if the cl***es aren't availible due to time or price. As to my service, I like to think that every true American would do the same thing in my shoes. Thanks again.
If you don't trust your 110, then just fold over a fillet fracture procedure. I posted some nice pics of doing this at home a while back. That is the ONLY way you really know penatration. Also, it's Never Said, but it's very Easy to dump too much wire with a 220 machine, making the prettiest weld ever, that will also....Peel right off your weldment. Works both ways, guys. The deal with 220 is you get too different weld processes with that machine, which is also never talked about, but under 26 volts is Short Circut & over 26 volts is Spray Transfer.....you really need to know when to use What. Carl Hagan
recondotexas, You guys have a pretty good custom shop there in Sasche. Have you been over there and asked them? My son lives in Wiley and I go poke around their shop everytime I'm down there. Nice guys. Thanks for serving!! Glenn
I don't know when cl***es start (or if they have already) but Frank Millsap teaches a welding cl*** at Eastfield in Mesquite. It's not to get certified, but more geared towards hobby-minded welding. He teaches MIG and TIG. Also offers a metal shaping cl*** that is well worth it... Where are you in Sachse?
I have used smartflix.com for instructional videos and found them quite helpful. Once you get the idea of the "why", the "how" comes with just a lot of hands-on practice.
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