Replies

1. 
   Jammersix | Dec 27, 2010 01:29am | #1

   People have been welding for a long, long time.

   During that time, lots of stuff has been learned, terms written and nomenclature developed by weird little people doing weird little things.

   In my opinion, you don't stand a chance of untangling it all on your own, and the best way, head and shoulders above anything you'll find on the 'net or in a book is to take a class.

   One one hour class will teach you more than five years of research or three books, and a night class at a community college will get you well on your way, successfully, with a good, sound basic knowledge of the principles involved.

   Welding is about 30% knowledge and 70% practice. The knowledge can be taught, and it's best if the tuition covers the cost of the practice. :)

   Good luck!

2. 
   roc | Dec 27, 2010 04:35am | #2

   Heck Yah !

   Take a night course (or day) at the local community college. Start with oxyacetylene torch.

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxyacetylene

   Once you can use that you will understand what is supposed to happen and how it happens. Then most likely you will get a squirt welder (MIG    welder) for your home use. They will expose you to most all the welding types . . . and who knows . . . you may just fall in love . . . as I did. In my case it was a cute little blue TIG welder .  Well she's five hundred pounds but that was small back in the day.  Besides we love each other and that is what matters.   We have lived happily ever after.

   Here is the MIG

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIG_welder

   Yawn.  Notice all the sparks and spatter and smoke.  Messy.

   And finally the TIG

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIG_Welder

   Notice it is clean and hot !

   Could use a TIG welder over your wife's carpet and not mess it up.  Well almost.  You pay for that kind of control and precision though but sure is fun. Love the thing !

1. 
   roc | Dec 27, 2010 06:14am | #3

   The book for the class most likely is crap

   Here is a great book.

   http://www.amazon.com/Welders-Handbook-Complete-Oxyacetylene-Welding/dp/1557882649/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293443137&sr=1-2

   Any thing by Richard Finch or Finch and Tom Monroe is clear and concise.  I have a few of his books. There is even plans for useful stuff in the books.  Want a motor mount to bolt up your Porsche engine to your home built biplane ?  He shows you how.  Don't have that home built biplane yet?  He shows you how to build the air frame from Chrome Molly !  Even the order to weld it in for the least distortion.  Good stuff.

   
3. 
   kummell | Dec 27, 2010 08:25pm | #4

   thank you

   thanks guys - really appreciate the enthusiasm and assistance.  Struggling to find any welding classes near me (live in Ridgefield, CT; work in Stamford, CT), but will keep looking.  Take care!

   Matt

1. 
   roc | Dec 28, 2010 09:02pm | #5

   Hmmmmm
   I been mulling your problem finding a class and now have two solutions (?):

   1. Join the military. They can teach you how to weld the heck out of stuff. ( don't put in for it though. If you do you will probably find yourself doing any thing but.)

   2. There is a secret lab near you with some very cool welding stuff that you could sneak in and use after hours there at . . . wait . . . never mind that . . . forget I said that.

2. 
   fussy | Dec 29, 2010 02:17am | #6

   welding

   I'm sure that in your immediate area there will be an independant garage, Bobcat dealer, CAT dealer, truck garage, etc.  Go to one, and offer the guys a few bucks or beers to give you some pointers when they're NOT TOO BUSY.  You may have to hang around awhile, but pick the right place and people and they will be happy to help.  People like to be appreciated.

    If you wil be mostly fabricating with new, light gauge (14 ga. or<), a economical wand easy way to start is with a flux-cored wire mig welder.  The wire comes in a spool, usually fed through the stinger automatically, and contains flux to clean the material being welded.  It won't be suitable for dirty or heavy gauge metals, but that doesn't sound as if that will be a problem.  Your local librarary should have books, but the instruction manual will be the best.  Be sure to wear a FULL FACE SHIELD WITH THE APPROPRIATE DARKNESS GLASS, LONG SLEEVES, AND GLOVES.  Don't try to well galvanized metal; it gives off cyanide gas and that's not good for yor.  Try it, make mistakes on junk, learn and enjoy.  It is amazing fun.

   Steve