Learning to weld.

"just buy a mig and some practice steel its very easy to mig weld"

and very easy to make a bad weld look good...

the best tip I can give you about welding is to be very careful in preparing the joint for welding.

No rust

No galv

no paint within at least 1/2" of your intended weld bead. contaminants in the weld can cause porosity, cracking and other bad things.

It is easier to weld 2 bits of metal that fit well together than to try to fill a gap with weld metal

practise on scrap a lot.

learn about welding, research:

penetration

cold shuts

checking

quench cracking


don't make safety critical welds until you are competent

Thanks all for input. Firstly I will check with electrician if he can install 15A plugs in my garage.
I am prepared to spend reasonable money to get a decent Mig, looking at a Handymig 170i so far and I will be asking for education when I buy the unit.
Then will practice........
It is a pity that hobbiests can no longer get short education courses from TAFE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by defenderbilby

Thanks all for input. Firstly I will check with electrician if he can install 15A plugs in my garage.
I am prepared to spend reasonable money to get a decent Mig, looking at a Handymig 170i so far and I will be asking for education when I buy the unit.
Then will practice........
It is a pity that hobbiests can no longer get short education courses from TAFE.

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try calling a few tafe's I'll be surprised if none do any short courses.
Failing that get the contact details of the long course tutor he might do private lessons lots do. Or maybe an AULRO-ian who lives close to you might offer a hour or two's assistance if there are beer n snags thrown in :D

I bought a real cheap gassles mig because I use it VERY seldomly and didnt want the hasle/expense getting gas.
Best advise I can suggest is get an automatic darkening helmet, makes life much easier and spray your mig gun/nozzle with spray canola oil,(yes th ekitchen stuff). Smells like frying bacon but helps stop bits of crap sticking to your nozzle.

Mr Bilby
don;t know how west you are,
and cant; remember the name, of the adult education group
zook should know he only lives down the road,
but at Menai Highs school they have night classes in welding graham? runs them.

http://www.sgscc.nsw.edu.au/s/about_us


thats the link, give them a call, I think they still do the night classes, I did mine 4 1/2 yrs ago when I lived there.



john

Thanks John, followed that link and there is a course in Feb. next year.
Cheers, David.

also the thing with a mig is if the weld looks **** then it is and if it looks good then you know its bit in, so if it looks bad grind it and start again

Quote:

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Originally Posted by defenderbilby

Thanks, I had a look at TAFE and couldn't see a basic course. Will give TAFE a ring tomorrow and see what is on offer.
David.

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These days, in TAFE NSW, they tend to "farm out" short courses to the Community Colleges, however, the equipment need in your eg. may preclude such an option.

Hi David,

IMHO, this is the best place: MIG Welding - The DIY Guide

Cheers,
Ruslan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by defenderbilby

Thanks John, followed that link and there is a course in Feb. next year.
Cheers, David.

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well if your not in a hurry, I can recommend grahams classes, you get a chance to try stick mig oxy, and tig, plus work on your own projects.
I did two semesters with him and it was great, using someone elses gear.
and Graham had an adage that if you weren;t happy with a weld hit it with a lump hammer, if it broke it was no good, simple and effective.


john

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnE

well if your not in a hurry, I can recommend grahams classes, you get a chance to try stick mig oxy, and tig, plus work on your own projects.
I did two semesters with him and it was great, using someone elses gear.
and Graham had an adage that if you weren;t happy with a weld hit it with a lump hammer, if it broke it was no good, simple and effective.


john

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That's cheap, most the ones in Melb are $300-$400 !! Anyone know of any around Melb that are cheaper courses ?