Welding - Where to Start?

afoveht on 17/05/2020 - 20:48

I have no experience with welding and would like to try it. I have a few small tasks I'd like to do myself rather than outsourcing, mostly to learn and gain some ability to do quick fixes/adjustments rather than wait on the local who sometimes takes a week or more to come around. Mainly lighter duty steel and stainless work (profiles to a few mm).

I've found various introductions on the net but I guess I'm looking for a suggestion for a shop that would be able to help me out with honest suggestions for beginners' gear, and at a fair price. Or any good suggestions from people here.

TIA.

Education & Work

Comments

  • pegaxs on 17/05/2020 - 20:53
    +7

    Do a TAFE course. They will have introductory welding courses, but you may have to travel way out of your way to get to a TAFE that has the facilities to teach welding.

    But a cheap MIG welder from Bunnings or your favorite welding supplier and watch some YouTube videos.

    • afoveht on 17/05/2020 - 20:55

      I did consider TAFE but it's a bit beyond the investment (time, energy) I'm prepared for right now.

      • pegaxs on 17/05/2020 - 20:58

        Oh well, you may just have to find a friend who has all the equipment and get them to teach you.

        • afoveht on 17/05/2020 - 21:00
          +1

          I was editing my comment as you replied.

          Just looked at the course, looks perfect, but not available now.

    • afoveht on 18/05/2020 - 07:25

      This looks good. I think I'm going to do this. Thank you.

  • hasselbladsnapper on 17/05/2020 - 22:57

    Good luck with stainless, there is a real art to TIG welding of this …. purchased a Kempi welder and the argon gas gear. For the home welder, this is a very difficult task. I have a friend with a top line stainless business, and wow can he & his guys TIG weld!! ….I gave up and now have a pro do my work! best thing ever!.

  • aarn on 18/05/2020 - 06:44
    +1

    I was doing TAFE course 'Hobby Welding' non-certificate in Cairns, 6-9pm one night/week, when the final session was…lockdowned. Anyway, for $390 the class of a dozen or so got plenty of hands-on experience (with a friendly co-ordinator) and encouragement. I found an old, neglected arc welder for $10 on gumtree, bought some consumables (discount basket in Repco) and went for it. You can beg/borrow/steal a book such as 'Introduction to welding' or 'Idiots guide to welding' to get your head around some basic theory. And there is always youtube… good luck.

  • brendanm on 18/05/2020 - 06:57
    +1

    About to do the same thing, but mainly with alloy. Just bought a Tig and plan on learning from YouTube and trial and error. I find "the fabrication series" has seemingly good info.

    • idjces on 18/05/2020 - 08:55
      +1

      Good luck! Alloy is an absolute nightmare - heat transfers through it way too easily

    • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2020 - 23:01

      Tig welding is a B word. Wouldn't Tig til I Mig-ed.

      • brendanm on 19/05/2020 - 08:08
        +1

        I can mig, Tig is meant to be a prick, but I'm happy to learn.

  • Fergy1987 on 18/05/2020 - 07:27

    Just dont do it if you have a pacemaker. Apparently that is no good.

    • ilove on 24/05/2020 - 16:48

      why?

  • slow on 18/05/2020 - 09:25

    Just be aware there is a big difference between learning to weld and welding well. i did a short course several years ago, and whilst I could say I know how to weld, whether I would trust my welds on something structural is another matter!

  • HeWhoKnows on 18/05/2020 - 15:01

    Welding can be VERY DANGEROUS and besides there are enorous safty risks involved.
    Start by working with someone very experienced first if you can

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