New to Welding
#1
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Year: 1999 sport 4x4
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New to Welding
well.. I have always wanted to weld...novice as a noob can be...just got a little harbor freight 90amp welder as a gift...what should I make to start for fun...but make something cool at the same time...as a noob...thanks
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i would would just start running some practice beads on scrap metal...only way your gonna be proficient at welding is practice, practice, practice....after that id fab yourselft up some rockrails they're fairly simple
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#4
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The first real thing I did with my HF welder was fix a shelf in my garage. One of the uprights wasn't holding a tab in place any longer letting a shelf fall down to the next level.
Before that I took some scrap metal and started putting beads down for fun. Grab a beer and go to town!
Before that I took some scrap metal and started putting beads down for fun. Grab a beer and go to town!
#5
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Year: 1999 sport 4x4
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The first real thing I did with my HF welder was fix a shelf in my garage. One of the uprights wasn't holding a tab in place any longer letting a shelf fall down to the next level.
Before that I took some scrap metal and started putting beads down for fun. Grab a beer and go to town!
Before that I took some scrap metal and started putting beads down for fun. Grab a beer and go to town!
sounds good...you know what its like when you got your license ...i am 36 and feel like I want to go nuts with this thing and take every opportunity to use it...lol....I have a small roof rack...I think I will cut it in half and make it longer...where does everyone get there metals?
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sounds good...you know what its like when you got your license ...i am 36 and feel like I want to go nuts with this thing and take every opportunity to use it...lol....I have a small roof rack...I think I will cut it in half and make it longer...where does everyone get there metals?
I know EXACTLY what you mean about getting your licence. Same feeling. I don't need to drive, but I can so I'm gonna.
I'm waiting for that first "oh crap" moment when I realize I should NOT have welded that thing I welded.
#7
i learned to weld with a good mig welder, then wanted to weld at home and being as cheap as i am i got the same 90 amp harbor freight welder... wish id saved my money. seems like theres really not that much that its useful for. but for starting out, just go on youtube and look up the basics of the basics. like make little circles. and figure out how the amperage and wire feed affects the weld. as for metal, home depot is convenient, but theyre selection is limited, and their prices seem steep. im still trying to find another place for good metal. just get some peices of mild steel, dont get aluminum or galvinized.
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#8
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i learned to weld with a good mig welder, then wanted to weld at home and being as cheap as i am i got the same 90 amp harbor freight welder... wish id saved my money. seems like theres really not that much that its useful for. but for starting out, just go on youtube and look up the basics of the basics. like make little circles. and figure out how the amperage and wire feed affects the weld. as for metal, home depot is convenient, but theyre selection is limited, and their prices seem steep. im still trying to find another place for good metal. just get some peices of mild steel, dont get aluminum or galvinized.
#9
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Im no pro welder by any means but I took metals class at my high school and the first thing we did was practice laying beads on a flat piece of steel. Once you are feeling good with that, try welding two scrap pieces together (just butted together, not at an angle). after that try welding scraps together at a 90 degree angle and go from there. Just try different welds at different angles. And definately look up some tips and videos on the internet.
GOOD LUCK
GOOD LUCK
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The little HF welder sucks....theyre like trying to go shark fishing with a butter knife. They dont have enough amperage that controlable to make good welds...they can be good if your an experienced welder but starting out they suck. If you want a good welder your going to need to fork out the money. Miller or Lincoln Electric are the 2 best welding companies. a little 140 mig would be great for around the house. and if your doing thick stuff, you'll want to get a 220v welder.
I've also heard hobart is a decent welder. I wouldnt know.
As for starting out. practice running beads and practice some more after that start on small stuff in terms of projects and work your way up in difficulty
I've also heard hobart is a decent welder. I wouldnt know.
As for starting out. practice running beads and practice some more after that start on small stuff in terms of projects and work your way up in difficulty
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go back to harbor drieght web site and download the manual, it has some information in it.I like the dumpster metal best but sometimes I just have to have some from hardware store or central steel. have fun
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I'm not an expert welder, either. I've never taken any real classes, I've read a few books, some info on the net, and I've done back-yard learning.
I have found plenty of use for my cheap welder, and all have been successful. Like I said I put it to use on my metal garage shelf. My landlord used it to weld tabs back onto the blower housing for the wood burning stove. I've welded three exhausts on three different vehicles. I welded an ear back onto a gun safe shelf for my best friend. I'm currently putting floors into my 87 XJ with it, and all is going well.
Yes, there are indeed better welders. Plenty of them. I'd LOVE to have one, and one that is more powerful. But I can't. I don't have the ability to run 220 to my garage, and I won't spend the money to do so because I'm renting. So for now, this one is perfect.
Also, if you have a 220v welder, you can't use it in near as many places as the HF welder. You've always gotta have a 220v source. That limits the use of more powerful welders, in a very odd way. With my welder, I can use it just about anywhere. In my bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, your house, my house, work, lots of places. Places that don't always have 220 available.
If you are limited by budget and other factors, don't hesitate to spend the $100 on a decent welder that will get you started.
But if you can, always go with the better option. I just can't.
Last edited by Gee oh Dee; 11-05-2010 at 10:19 AM.
#13
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Not trying to be a dick or anything, but I have to disagree. The HF welder is by no means the best welder on the market, but for $90 you can't go wrong.
I'm not an expert welder, either. I've never taken any real classes, I've read a few books, some info on the net, and I've done back-yard learning.
I have found plenty of use for my cheap welder, and all have been successful. Like I said I put it to use on my metal garage shelf. My landlord used it to weld tabs back onto the blower housing for the wood burning stove. I've welded three exhausts on three different vehicles. I welded an ear back onto a gun safe shelf for my best friend. I'm currently putting floors into my 87 XJ with it, and all is going well.
Yes, there are indeed better welders. Plenty of them. I'd LOVE to have one, and one that is more powerful. But I can't. I don't have the ability to run 220 to my garage, and I won't spend the money to do so because I'm renting. So for now, this one is perfect.
Also, if you have a 220v welder, you can't use it in near as many places as the HF welder. You've always gotta have a 220v source. That limits the use of more powerful welders, in a very odd way. With my welder, I can use it just about anywhere. In my bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, your house, my house, work, lots of places. Places that don't always have 220 available.
If you are limited by budget and other factors, don't hesitate to spend the $100 on a decent welder that will get you started.
But if you can, always go with the better option. I just can't.
I'm not an expert welder, either. I've never taken any real classes, I've read a few books, some info on the net, and I've done back-yard learning.
I have found plenty of use for my cheap welder, and all have been successful. Like I said I put it to use on my metal garage shelf. My landlord used it to weld tabs back onto the blower housing for the wood burning stove. I've welded three exhausts on three different vehicles. I welded an ear back onto a gun safe shelf for my best friend. I'm currently putting floors into my 87 XJ with it, and all is going well.
Yes, there are indeed better welders. Plenty of them. I'd LOVE to have one, and one that is more powerful. But I can't. I don't have the ability to run 220 to my garage, and I won't spend the money to do so because I'm renting. So for now, this one is perfect.
Also, if you have a 220v welder, you can't use it in near as many places as the HF welder. You've always gotta have a 220v source. That limits the use of more powerful welders, in a very odd way. With my welder, I can use it just about anywhere. In my bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, your house, my house, work, lots of places. Places that don't always have 220 available.
If you are limited by budget and other factors, don't hesitate to spend the $100 on a decent welder that will get you started.
But if you can, always go with the better option. I just can't.
Yeah, I do not have a garage so not 220...I like this as I know all I have to do to operate is plug it in...anywhere so it is convenient...I will maybe go gas when i get a clue on how to weld..I know ghas is better but..i need to learn somehwhere..plus I did not REALLY need it i really WANTED it..lol
#14
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I have some experience but originally learned the seme way,I agree 100%( maybe I should copy this post to paste to the next guy)
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I could not read to much of those posts. I like Hobart almost as much as Miller and I wish i had a small welder like that. I could do 1/4' easy. and 3/8ths with an extra pass. Not to menchen that u can use a convertor and take it off road for repairs. I would use a bottle though. flux core is messier and a little harder to dial in. Thats just me. All i have is a Miller 210 its to big for most jeep stuff. Im state certified for stick welding but am much better and more experienced with mig. but thats just my 2cents.