learning how to weld

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Originally Posted by Carnut1100

I learned some off Dad then did a lot of practice.
I got what I thought was pretty damn good then I thought I'd give TAFE a go to learn TIG.
I learned bloody well and decided while there to do the others too, and I learned absolutely HEAPS and found out I wasn't as good as I thought.

Go to TAFE, you really won't regret it and you will get taught the fundamentals properly and have a good base to practice from.

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I agree, get the fundamentals right, or your welding will be based on bad practise. I was trained as a welder in the Navy, ultimately reaching radiographic & bond testing standard, welding alloy steels such as HY80 & QT35, [ arc] & mig welding boiler tube in vertical, inclined & horizontal positions. Without a thorough grounding in the very basics, that would have been impossible.[ then, after 21 years, got out & became a postman. :o , and loved it] Bob

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Originally Posted by Ewen

anyone here got any tips for learning how to weld? am keen to just be able to do small jobs, make my own brackets etc.

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if you want to have ago on your own first look on you tube lots tech videos on there stick mig tig showing basic to advanced tips if that doesnt work one on one might be for you....

thanks for all the tips guys.. a course sounds good but i really cant afford to commit the time for the course and all i really want to do is weld diff bits together to make a frame etc. i dev do want to progress so maybe in the future a tafe course will be it for me..

Ring your local TAFE anyway....some do a course as one evening class a week.
Easier option maybe...

Get an arc welder for about $100 then practice, if you can get a good weld on arc then you can do most diy jobs bar sheet metal.

Except some cheapies are known to give a bad arc. With welding machines, you really need quality gear, especially if you're starting out.

If you only want to make simple frames and brackets, then buy something good and just practise. But it's almost impossible to figure it out on your own, (believe me), without someone to help. So find some sort of a class or something.

"Old Fashoned" transformer based arc welders are worth very little these days . A look on ebay or at your local garage sales will get you a quality welder for around $100.00. The only downside is that they won't have fancy high frequency starting features but an auto darkening helmet can be had for a reasonable price these days which makes striking an arc a lot easier than in the old days.

Regards,
Tote

Yes, a good used one like CIG or similar. I thought loanrangie meant something like a new Golden Dragon brand welder, which wouldn't be too wonderful.

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Originally Posted by bob10

I agree, get the fundamentals right, or your welding will be based on bad practise. I was trained as a welder in the Navy, ultimately reaching radiographic & bond testing standard, welding alloy steels such as HY80 & QT35, [ arc] & mig welding boiler tube in vertical, inclined & horizontal positions. Without a thorough grounding in the very basics, that would have been impossible.[ then, after 21 years, got out & became a postman. :o , and loved it] Bob

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how good are you at mig welding thin section....oh, lets say chassis type ;)

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Originally Posted by uninformed

how good are you at mig welding thin section....oh, lets say chassis type ;)

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Haven't struck an arc for a long time, but will see my recently retired boilermaker mate, & see if he will let me use his mig. to practise,will get back to you. [ thickness, rust? ] Bob