Learning to Weld

MrBob · 09-26-2010, 12:56 PM

I've always wanted to be able to do my own welding on the hobbyist level. Can anyone point me to local sources of training for an absolute beginner? I'm thinking of something less than a week long and in the Front Range area.

3DChief · 09-26-2010, 03:57 PM

Not from the area, so no specifics, but a few suggestions. Check out the local community college. Many of them have evening welding classes, that is where I first learned how. The other thing is go to Harbor Freight and pick up their $89 mig welder. Also buy the $32 auto darkening helmet, the one that comes with the welder sucks. And start melting steel! It is not nearly the mystical skill that many people think it is. There is a good thread on here in the Garage Page with everything you would need/want to know about welding and experts to answer your questions. As a hobby welder, I have built racks and skid plates for both mine and my wife's bikes, assorted brackets, and all kinds of stuff for around the house with this welder and it has payed for itself many times over! Plus it is fun and keeps me out of trouble.

YMMV,
Tim

Brian-M · 09-26-2010, 04:01 PM

Browse through this recent thread on the same topic:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...highlight=weld

swamp_donkey · 09-26-2010, 04:01 PM

Yep., your nearest technical college.

But if you just make small steady circles pushing the pool of liquid metal along , you shall do just fine.

The thicker the metal , the more heat you add by turning up the voltaGE.

Of course then you should increase wire speed.

If stick welding, now that is different and you really need a instructor. Because it is beyond the scope of my attention span.

hyperboarder · 09-27-2010, 05:48 AM

CU has a week long class. Been meaning to do it for quite some time.

MrBob · 09-27-2010, 06:52 AM

This is what I've learned, so far, from your replies and surfing:

http://ttl.colorado.edu/welding.php

http://www.coloradoschoolofwelding.c.../newwelder.htm

I'll also search in the Garage section, didn't even think of that - Doh!
Thanks all.

09-26-2010, 12:56 PM	#1
MrBob ^OP Careening forward Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Fe, N.M. Oddometer: 5,663	Learning to Weld I've always wanted to be able to do my own welding on the hobbyist level. Can anyone point me to local sources of training for an absolute beginner? I'm thinking of something less than a week long and in the Front Range area. __________________ KLX 400 dual sport Tune in, turn on, drop out.

09-26-2010, 03:57 PM	#2
3DChief "Moto therapist" Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Oddometer: 373	Not from the area, so no specifics, but a few suggestions. Check out the local community college. Many of them have evening welding classes, that is where I first learned how. The other thing is go to Harbor Freight and pick up their $89 mig welder. Also buy the $32 auto darkening helmet, the one that comes with the welder sucks. And start melting steel! It is not nearly the mystical skill that many people think it is. There is a good thread on here in the Garage Page with everything you would need/want to know about welding and experts to answer your questions. As a hobby welder, I have built racks and skid plates for both mine and my wife's bikes, assorted brackets, and all kinds of stuff for around the house with this welder and it has payed for itself many times over! Plus it is fun and keeps me out of trouble. YMMV, Tim __________________ http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794942 http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781308 http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=05vqno7lqWNz7t3rOMrDNVJMiIvEY25 kX http://3dchief.smugmug.com/

09-26-2010, 04:01 PM	#4
swamp_donkey no political affliat Joined: Dec 2008 Location: southwest georgia Oddometer: 2,705	Yep., your nearest technical college. But if you just make small steady circles pushing the pool of liquid metal along , you shall do just fine. The thicker the metal , the more heat you add by turning up the voltaGE. Of course then you should increase wire speed. If stick welding, now that is different and you really need a instructor. Because it is beyond the scope of my attention span. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ecE1UML1q8

09-27-2010, 05:48 AM	#5
hyperboarder Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Fort Collins, CO Oddometer: 647	CU has a week long class. Been meaning to do it for quite some time. __________________ Current: 2004 Ural Tourist, 1999 Suzuki DR650, 2005 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom, 1992 Ford E250 Motohauler Gone but not forgotten: 2008 KLR, 2000 GSXR1000, 1999 ZX6R, 2000 Katana 600 Quarter Life Crisis 2011 Ural National Rally

09-27-2010, 06:52 AM	#6
MrBob ^OP Careening forward Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Fe, N.M. Oddometer: 5,663	This is what I've learned, so far, from your replies and surfing: http://ttl.colorado.edu/welding.php http://www.coloradoschoolofwelding.c.../newwelder.htm I'll also search in the Garage section, didn't even think of that - Doh! Thanks all. __________________ KLX 400 dual sport Tune in, turn on, drop out. MrBob screwed with this post 09-27-2010 at 07:55 AM

09-26-2010, 04:01 PM	#3
Brian-M Melting in GA Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Warm Springs, GA Oddometer: 943	Browse through this recent thread on the same topic: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...highlight=weld

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