Learning to weld

[Ranga]

I'd like to learn to weld, but can't find anything in my area of QLD on the TAFE website. Anyone know where I could go, or willing to teach me? I'm happy to pay, or barter for other goods/services. I'm pretty handy with PCs, so maybe that's an option for someone.

I did a 5 day oxy and arc course about 20 years at school, and haven't done any welding since :eek: I vaguely remember it wasn't that hard to pick up the basics, but would need a refresher, and would also like to learn MIG and maybe TIG also.

[slug_burner]

I'd like to learn to weld, but can't find anything in my area of QLD on the TAFE website. Anyone know where I could go, or willing to teach me? I'm happy to pay, or barter for other goods/services. I'm pretty handy with PCs, so maybe that's an option for someone.

I did a 5 day oxy and arc course about 20 years at school, and haven't done any welding since :eek: I vaguely remember it wasn't that hard to pick up the basics, but would need a refresher, and would also like to learn MIG and maybe TIG also.

I had no prior welding experience, got a loan of a MIG and got told one basic rule if it splaters and misbehaves turn up the current. After that it was a little practice on some waste pieces I got from the steel merchant and onto the trailer modifications. Probably not the welds an experienced welder would put down but it all held and stood the test. I'd say that MIG would have to be easy if I was able to do a half reasonable job.

I have an appreciation for nice welds now that I did not have before, specially ones put down with arc (as in coated metal electrode). TIG welds also look good when someone that knows what they are doing puts them down.

No matter what method you use to learn it comes down to practice. Good luck with some one local, I am a bit too far away and I would not call myself a welders armpit little less a teacher.

[MickS]

Some community colleges run basic welding courses...I know of a couple in Sydney..not helpful I know, but maybe there are similar community colleges your way...

[weeds]

i will have a MIG back at my place in a few weekend, happy to show you the basics

re: arc, i have done heaps but never been real consistent, you can borrow it any time

[awabbit6]

How about this one ...
TAFE Queensland - Welding (http://www.tafe.qld.gov.au/cis/index.php'script_name=coursedetails&course_id=3127)

Once you've got the basics sorted it's just a matter of practice, practice, practice.

There are plenty of books available too. I just bought this one ..
Amazon.com: Welder's Handbook, RevisedHP1513: A Guide to Plasma Cutting, Oxyacetylene, ARC, MIG and TIG Welding (9781557885135): Richard Finch: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Kzm67M5nL.@@AMEPARAM@@51Kzm67M5nL

The Miller website has a lot of good resources also ...
Miller - Resources - Improving Your Skills (http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/)

If you want to play with a TIG, you are welcome to come down and I can show you the basics.

[spudboy]

I taught myself to weld from both mucking around and from video tutorials. I can even TIG weld aluminium now to a reasonable standard.

I liked this website. Lots of info and doesn't take himself too seriously!

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info (http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/)

Can't beat practicing a lot. I have wasted a lot of steel and ali along the way, but very satisfying when you eventually 'get it' and can make some useful things.

Cheers
David

[33chinacars]

Can't say I'm a good welder either but can get things to hold together with an ARC Welder. My welding improved 500% when I changed from an old flip up visor to a new auto darkening helmet. Should have done it years ago but didn't thing I was doing enough welding to warrant one. Silly me. Didn't get a cheap one either, About $450 but with a large viewing area

Gary

[Slunnie]

I've gone back to the old flip helmets with my students due to costs, but the thing that also makes a really big difference is the tinted shield in the helmet - get one that allows you to see the welding process, not just a faint glow of the weld pool and nothing more. This allows you to see where the weld is travelling to, and what the weld is actually doing as you lay it, and if you can see the weld properly then you can modify your technique on the run to suit what is actually happening.

If you're learning by just having a go, try to find out what all of the machine settings do and what affect these have on the weld and the use of the machine. Then try them out at the extremes so that you know whats going on. Find out what a good weld shape looks like (not how pretty it is) and pay particular attention to this as it tells you whether the weld is strong or not, find out what happens when it's too hot/cold, slow/fast wire, gas/no gas etc and model your welds on these. Start with pad welds, the butt, then fillet. When you're confident try Vertical ups - these are not as pretty as Vert downs but they are stronger.

Practice and then practice some more, thick materials first then thin materials (down to 1.6mm perhaps) and then thin to thick materials.

have fun.:D

[86mud]

Hey Ranga

I have previosuly been to Yeronga TAFE and completed MMW (manual metal arc = stick) and Mig welding courses. The courses were held over a few Saturdays from memory.

I am sure there is a TAFE closer to you that offer this.

Cheers
Andrew

[weeds]

Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, Bracken Ridge Campus is closeish Ranga, just over the hill from where i live.....

[rainman]

It's amazing to see all of these references to TAFE courses! I enquired about MIG courses about a year ago and was told unless I wanted to do a Certificate {something} in Engineering, the only course offered was a 2 x Saturday course on oxy welding. I gave up and persevered myself.

Another bit of advice is to make sure you have clean surfaces to start with. Any rust, paint, gal, zinc, etc will have it spitting all over the place, and apart from ending up with an ugly weld, you'll have it in your hair and down your boots :blink:.

[The ho har's]

You have seen hh's work, most have on the site...we need a computer overhaul;)

Oh and how is he tray coming along?

Mrs hh:angel:

[rainman]

Oh and how is he tray coming along?

Do you mean my tray Mrs hh? Word does travel :eek:. It's going quite well; slowly, but I'm happy with the result, so I'm not complaining. :cool:

[Hoges]

It's amazing to see all of these references to TAFE courses! I enquired about MIG courses about a year ago and was told unless I wanted to do a Certificate {something} in Engineering, the only course offered was a 2 x Saturday course on oxy welding. I gave up and persevered myself.

......:blink:.

Same situation. I did find that (i) cutting the rods in half and using two hands gave me better control for maintaining the correct distance and got the hang of it a lot quicker; and (ii) an angle grinder fitted with a "flapp" disc is very useful;)

[woody]

anyone interested in arranging a day where a few people who can weld, can help those less experienced to get a decent weld down.

I'm sure that a few of us have a few tips and tricks we can share. :)

[discoute]

Good welding is a combination of several things, equipment is vital, there are good welders and then there are welders, as a rule cheap home units are ok but limit you to what can be achieved. wind and weather have an impact as well, along with lots of practice.

i learned to weld at about 10 with an old oxy set and and old exhaust system my father teaching the basics, when I started working in work shops as a teenager i had to learn stick welding so after several packs of rods and advice i could weld. i have been welding for many years and fabricating some nice rover stuff.

so my advice is practice and more practice, be comfortable with how your positioned and plan how your weld will be done eg vertical up or vertical down stitch weld or is it a filler , be sure to have clean material to weld on and take your time. flip up or auto darkening makes little difference if you are a good welder but auto darkening is easier to use, also remember a nice looking weld may not have the strength needed it may just look good

i must say if this weld is critical for safety and strength then maybe leave it to a professional welder.

glen :)