Where to learn to weld?

**BMKal** · 31st December 2014, 10:49 AM

I was looking at new auto dimming helmets in Bunnings yesterday Vlad. Mine is a little worse for wear.

Cheapest one that I saw was $39 - wouldn't buy one like this. But most of what they had on the shelf there were around the $100 mark - I'll probably end up with one of these.

I'd like a "top end" one, but can't really justify the cost for the amount of time I'll use it.

The "window" on my current one is about the 98 x 44 size you've mentioned. It's slightly larger than my old standard flip window style, and I've always found it to be large enough. Mind you, I have to wear reading glasses behind the helmet and get in pretty close to the work to be able to see what I'm doing anyway.

**VladTepes** · 31st December 2014, 11:03 AM

I was looking at the Bunnings site earlier and this one seemed good value for money...

Weldcorp Auto Darkening Variable Shade Welding Helmet I/N 5910205 | Bunnings Warehouse

Not sure if this is a recognised brand or a Bunnings only one though and whether replacement lenses would be easy to come by.

**BMKal** · 31st December 2014, 11:34 AM

Yes - that's exactly the one I was looking at yesterday.

Not sure if I'd go with the colourful one though (they had a plain black one in Bunnings in Kalgoorlie).

Weldcorp have been around for a long time (Sydney based) and you can buy replacement parts either directly through them or through many agents.

**VladTepes** · 31st December 2014, 02:52 PM

Well OK, job done.

For $120 I got the helmet, an inexpensive (but adequate) chipping hammer and some long gloves AND 2kg of 2.5mm satincraft electrodes....

I did alright I reckon.

(The helmet was actually one sale for about $86 ) The colour doesn't bother me ain't nobody much going to see it.

**rfurzer** · 31st December 2014, 03:43 PM

Victor Morgado behind Wynyard runs courses- I highly recommend him

**BMKal** · 31st December 2014, 06:30 PM

Definitely looks the goods.

All the right gear there to get you started. Another thing that I find handy is to have a couple of magnetic corner locators in the kit. Great for lining up and holding stuff at 90 or 45 degrees while you get the first couple of tacks on. Depends on what you want to weld though (I make up gate frames / shadehouse frames etc).

Just remember to keep your electrodes in a very dry place - especially if the weather is a bit humid up there. I use an old clapped out microwave oven mounted up on the wall of the shed.

**LandyAndy** · 31st December 2014, 06:50 PM

If your rods do get damp,simply put them in the oven on the lowest setting for an hour

Makes a huge difference.
Have seen my boilermaker mate but rods on a steel plate and warm them up with the oxy set to dry them too.
Andrew

**Jonno_G** · 1st January 2015, 12:55 AM

Probably want a bit more than your lowest oven setting to recondition rods.

Check the manufacturers directions, but some of them say up to for hours at 160 degrees to recondition. Can't remember which rods that was, but I do remember reading it at some point.

That aside, of you remember to keep the lid on those plastic sleeves you should be fine for the most part. Nice looking helmet you've got there, too.

**33chinacars** · 1st January 2015, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by VladTepes

Welding Helmets

The viewing area seems, perhaps unsurprisingly, to vary with cost.

I was looking into auto darkening helmets in the $100ish range.
Viewing area for these tends to be around 98 x 44.
Is this sufficient to see a job adequately?

The more expenive helmets have a viewing area twice the height - eg 95x85.

I went for one of the larger viewing area helmets . Couldn't be happier. Cost $400 + a few years ago. Miller , top brand .

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