mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Anyone know any places in or around the Westerville area where I can learn how to weld? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB12Ss Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Buy a little MIG setup and get some scrap metal... Doing it is real easy... Doing it well just takes lots of practice (ie. skill). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Buy a little MIG setup and get some scrap metal... Doing it is real easy... Doing it well just takes lots of practice (ie. skill).+1 I love welding..once i get enough money im gonna get my own, either MIG or TIG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Is there a "welding for dummies" book? Think that would help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB12Ss Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Is there a "welding for dummies" book? Think that would help?http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/mig-welding.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Cool.Next question is where to got a good / cheap welder (& whatever else is needed) from?Is it worth looking on e-bay or better to buy new? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB12Ss Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Cool.Next question is where to got a good / cheap welder (& whatever else is needed) from?Is it worth looking on e-bay or better to buy new?www.harborfreight.com Everything there is crazy cheap... not the highest quality, but if you aren't looking at using it on a daily basis for the next 10 years... you'll be alright with their stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 nooo dont get one from there! maybe check craigslist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxr750girl Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 hey ask rocky he does it for part of his living! I'm sure he can teach you some basic skills and work with ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Thats cool.I saw him out earlier, Some real cool looking bike he was on.... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockybalboa Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 What type of metal are you looking to weld?f you want to weld steel a mig will work just fine but if you want to do aluminium you need a tig. Please do not buy a welder from Harbor Freight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 I think steel & stuff so a MIG will work.Why not from there?Where is a better place for a starter set up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockybalboa Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Harbor freight has a reputation for being cheap and I have not had good luck with anything from there. I would look for either a miller or a lincoln welder. They are usually the best brand on the market. If you want something less expensive you can try sears. A friend of mine bought a craftsman welder from there has had good luck with it. do not buy a flux core welder. A welder that uses gas will help you learn faster and help the finished product look better.Also make sure that the welder is rated to weld the correct thickness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 How about something like:Craftsman Complete Cutting/Welding Outfit $190orCraftsman Welding and Cutting Outfit $260What other things would I need to get started?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Lincoln welders are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxxl Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 "Poor people buy everything twice." Quality costs more but it lasts longer. Keep this old saying in mind when you shop at Harbor Freight.Try usaweld.com you can order MIG and TIG training videos from them and see which system is right for what you want to do.Here is a Popular Mechanics article on some Hobart welders.Check out the Hobart site here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxr750girl Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Thats cool.I saw him out earlier, Some real cool looking bike he was on.... lolso was he rockin my bike? hmm wonder when you saw him? he only rode it for a sec! but can't really miss it huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrish Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 I'v welded in the union for a while ...Make sure not to buy a flux welder "junk"..I could help you get started. I know a couple of dudes selling welders I think they are miller one of them mig and tig same machine. Might be big $$$$ I'll ask and let you know.He also has cheap GIANT hobart tigs w/ water cooled handle old but works great and it weight about 330 pounds!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbret Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 so was he rockin my bike? hmm wonder when you saw him? he only rode it for a sec! but can't really miss it huh?We saw him right by the garage where we had waited for him to come get you that night about 11:30 - 12:00'ishI did not realize it was him at first then it clicked & I gave him a big wave.From what I could see it looked good. You out Wednesday?Cool stuff Angrish. Not looking to spend to much right off, I may be crap at it or not like it & dont want to be stuck with all the crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireman_343 Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 I've got a mig welder (a Hobart, same thing as a Miller welder) and love it. Like Rocky stated, if you use Argon Gas you'll learn a little bit faster and have cleaner welds as well as better penetration then just flux wire! I got my welder local here in Columbus at a place on Parsons Ave right off of 71... you can see it from the freeway.... I can't remember the name of the place?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironbuttwannabe Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 I've got a Hobart Handler 150. It uses flux from the factory but comes with the mig conversion. I did it right away. Go to a gas distributor and buy a tank (big or small). I got the big because we do a lot of welding. Make sure you switch the wires in the welder for mig welding. Nice thing about the Handler it runs off 115V so you can take it anywhere and use it. It will weld 1/4" easy and I've already welded 3/8 rod to 5/8 rod. It's not the hottest but will do the job, unless you want to weld 5/8" consistently. I got mine at Rural King. Not sure if you have one down there. TSC also sells them or you can get them online. I think it was around $460 just for the welder. Then somewhere close to 200 to buy a tank. Get an auto-darkening mask. I use harbor freights and it works dang good for 50 bucks. And some good gloves. an apron is quite nice also to keep your nuts in tack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.