Any Welders or Machinists here?

[AirspeedX]

What's the best way to go about learning how to weld and fabricate? I'd like to play around in building my own parts and mods for the 4Runner and other things....

Just small stuff. I'd love to be able to build something like a bumper or roof rack - eventually.

Should I enroll in a 16 week course or just teach myself with supervision? Or are there any weekend courses for super beginners?

Its always been an interest of mine. If I wasn't a pilot, I'd likely get into it as a career.

My girlfriends dad has welded for decades and gave me a welder. He can definitely teach me and will, but I'd like to take it a step further.

How did you guys get going?

 

[hearno]

I was inspired learn to weld by a build thread on this forum. I signed up for a class at my local community college. So far, so good.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

What's the best way to go about learning how to weld and fabricate? I'd like to play around in building my own parts and mods for the 4Runner and other things....

Just small stuff. I'd love to be able to build something like a bumper or roof rack - eventually.

Should I enroll in a 16 week course or just teach myself with supervision? Or are there any weekend courses for super beginners?

Its always been an interest of mine. If I wasn't a pilot, I'd likely get into it as a career.

My girlfriends dad has welded for decades and gave me a welder. He can definitely teach me and will, but I'd like to take it a step further.

How did you guys get going?

Former professional welder here;

Practice practice practice!

Find as much scrap steel as possible and keep laying beads until you have them going smoothly. Have your girlfriends dad give you the basics, i.e. where to set the gas, wire feed, etc and keep practicing. Play around with the parameters until you get a feel for how everything works. Also weld in all different positions and angles. Try welding vertically downhand, etc until you are comfortable with all the positions. Also get yourself a decent face shield, that can make a big difference.

Hopefully he gave you a decent welder as a no-name welder will be hard to make nice welds with.

I am 100% self taught, no classes or instructors here. Having someone teach you gives you that leg up but to improve no one can do that but you!

Soon enough you'll be able to lay down beads like this.

 

[1blink]

Watch some technique videos on YouTube. Buy scrap steel at the junkyard to practice on.

 

[NateMob]

Im a welder and machinist in the Air Force, I honestly can say that with welding if you arent keeping your skills up you will lose your touch. Especially if you are TIG welding, and if you have the oppurtunity to TIG, learn it. I also think that anyone that wants to learn to MIG weld should first learn to stick weld, it will teach you the basics and help you develop and understand techniques and how it will affect your fusion and bead. Good luck, practice, practice, practice.

 

[4Running Daily]

Im a welder and machinist in the Air Force, I honestly can say that with welding if you arent keeping your skills up you will lose your touch. Especially if you are TIG welding, and if you have the oppurtunity to TIG, learn it. I also think that anyone that wants to learn to MIG weld should first learn to stick weld, it will teach you the basics and help you develop and understand techniques and how it will affect your fusion and bead. Good luck, practice, practice, practice.

I disagree. Anyone learning to weld should try Oxy-Acytelene first, by far the most fun and rather easy once you get the hang of adding filler metal. By starting on stick you'll get frustrated and think welding is hard, but it isn't. Like NateMob said, practice practice practice. I think I could teach a monkey to MIG weld.

 

[NateMob]

I disagree. Anyone learning to weld should try Oxy-Acytelene first, by far the most fun and rather easy once you get the hang of adding filler metal. By starting on stick you'll get frustrated and think welding is hard, but it isn't. Like NateMob said, practice practice practice. I think I could teach a monkey to MIG weld.

You are 100% correct, i forgot that they had us cut our teeth on oxy welding first. We went Oxy, stick/arc, MIG, TIG. Honing your technique is still a great reason to get proficient with Stick welding, plus, you never know when you have to weld on the trail with 2-3 batteries and a coat hanger. :naughty:

 

[4Running Daily]

You are 100% correct, i forgot that they had us cut our teeth on oxy welding first. We went Oxy, stick/arc, MIG, TIG. Honing your technique is still a great reason to get proficient with Stick welding, plus, you never know when you have to weld on the trail with 2-3 batteries and a coat hanger. :naughty:

I learned in the same exact order, except I have yet to attempt TIG yet.
It's actually really cool that some high schools still offer programs like the one I'm in.

 

[541joseph]

if i could get my hands on a welder i could get good. ive done little stuff and its not bad. its just expensive...

 

[bofa]

I weld all the time.

 

[mikebontoft]

I usually end up welding those tubes together... don't ask.

I took a year of welding. started with MIG though. learned quite a bit but I was a.complete beginner starting in an advanced course so I fell behind. never made it to TIG unfortunately. I can weld pretty well now, it was just too hard to catch up at the very end.

 

[AirspeedX]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!! I'll learn as much as I can from writers I know, the Internet and I'll practice on scrap metal.

 

[AirspeedX]

Writers = welders

 

[1engineer]

To finally know if you are a good welder, lay on your back in frozen mud and stick weld overhead. JK but when you think you are doing good try welding pipe 360 degrees.