Welding help. How hard is it?

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hellonearthisman

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#29534 10-Jan-2009 19:59

I have been seeing sub $100 arc welders in my junk mail and been asking myself how hard is it.
I'm looking at joining a few pipes and some old reinforcing wire to make art works.

Or am I dreaming mate.

marmel

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#188652 10-Jan-2009 20:56

For what you are going to do I would say go for it.

If you were going to be welding beams for an extension to your house it may be different but art work isn't going to require as much strength.

scottjpalmer

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#188661 10-Jan-2009 21:41

Yeah go for it, it's a good chance for you to hone your skills when neat and tidy welding that is structurally sound isn't imperative

Ragnor

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#188673 10-Jan-2009 22:33

It's not to hard to learn there are quite a few tutorials and videos on the net of course like anything it takes a bit of practice.

hellonearthisman

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#188680 10-Jan-2009 23:05

Thanks people, I have put it must have list for this summer.

Malcolm MacDonald graduated from Connestoga College in 1968 taking the Fitter Welding Program.

nate

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#188697 11-Jan-2009 01:06

marmel: For what you are going to do I would say go for it.

scottjpalmer: Yeah go for it, it's a good chance for you to hone your skills when neat and tidy welding that is structurally sound isn't imperative

Ragnor: It's not to hard to learn there are quite a few tutorials and videos on the net of course like anything it takes a bit of practice.

Please tell me you guys (and monkey Scott) are all experienced welders?!

marmel

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#188722 11-Jan-2009 09:25

Yeah I've done quite a bit of welding including some industrial. It's really not that difficult to stick a couple of bits of metal together. Creating a perfect weld for structural strength would require some training but for what the op wants to do teaching yourself would be fine.

tonyhughes

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#188736 11-Jan-2009 10:20

Go for it.

Basic welding is easy.

Good welding takes practice, learning, experience & skill.

SAFETY FIRST. Welding safety is so easy to get just right, but the severe injurys you can cause yourself can come in a heartbeat!!

Do a short course, or find a friend who is a ticketed welder to give you a 101.

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n00dy

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#188764 11-Jan-2009 12:23

Arc welding does have some lmitations, if you are going to spend some money I would go for a "mig", I have Oxy/Acyl plant, 40-160amp arc and a mig in my home workshop, I use the mig more times than the others, you do need to rent the argon bottle but thats only $120 a year. With a mig you can spot weld, panel, smal and large jobs, you can also get gas less versions but the gas one is a bit better, mine is gas & gasless combined, you can also reto fit it to weld ali.

boby55

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#188767 11-Jan-2009 12:33

I would say invest in some heat gloves aswell as you can rest the arc rod on you finger while the other hand is weilding, Very easy to learn but can give yourself quite a big shock if you havn't grounded the work/bench your on, the current will come straight through you.

riahon

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#188771 11-Jan-2009 13:14

I think for what you are intending to use a welder for I too would be more inclined to look for a mig welder. Mig welders in my opinion give you have more control over heat, speed and orientation. I remember years ago seeing a mig welder that used soda stream size gas bottles alternatively use gaseless wire if machine supports it.

Welding itself it simple once you get the hang of it but safety should always come first.