Moderators PB260Z Posted November 30, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 30, 2013 I decide that is high time I learnt to weld, so how to go about it. 1. Hit Lurch up for lesson (thanks mate) went well, this seem easy enough 2. Purchase a welder. Based on advice Lincoln Power Mig 180C 3. Hit another contact up for a helmet. 4. Put it all together and give it a go. Results a crap What am I doing wrong ? Decide to read the instructions properly this time, "swap the polarity for Mig operation", Hmmm don't remember doing that Swap polarity, all good works a treat. Wife in hysterics and mumbling something men and never reading instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted November 30, 2013 Administrators Share Posted November 30, 2013 LOL - why read instructions when you can dive right in and make a mistake? Whilst men might not read instructions, women are terrible with maps. It's just a fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dat2kman Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 I got a Lurch lesson, bought a mig from a retailer up here, Lurch said it was an OK one, using small chuckaway bottles ( dont use it much) But yes, the jolly polarity wire connection has to be changed inside, depending on either gas wire or gasless wire. Catches me out! I recently bought the cutest little wear it like a girlie handbag inverter stick welder, 200 amps, duty cycle not great, but geez, so much easeir to use than the big transformer jobbie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted November 30, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 30, 2013 LOL - why read instructions when you can dive right in and make a mistake? Whilst men might not read instructions, women are terrible with maps. It's just a fact. And that is why a put Sat Nav in my wife's car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Zedman240® Posted November 30, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 30, 2013 Who reads instructions first? Like that saying "when all else fails, read the instructions". With some good hours playing with the welder, you'll become a master. I used to practice with small steel plates of a couple of mm then move to thin sheetmetal. Old car panels are good to play with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted November 30, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 30, 2013 Who reads instructions first? Like that saying "when all else fails, read the instructions". With some good hours playing with the welder, you'll become a master. I used to practice with small steel plates of a couple of mm then move to thin sheetmetal. Old car panels are good to play with. Old car panels, great idea, got more than a few of those lying around at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterAllen Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Enrol in an evening/weekend course at TAFE and be taught the basic principles. It will not only teaches you to know what a good weld is and how to achieve it, but also how to troubleshoot - skills for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Enrol in an evening/weekend course at TAFE and be taught the basic principles. It will not only teaches you to know what a good weld is and how to achieve it, but also how to troubleshoot - skills for life. I second that. A few of us have signed up so you'll be in good company. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,12267.0.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted December 2, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted December 2, 2013 Enrol in an evening/weekend course at TAFE and be taught the basic principles. It will not only teaches you to know what a good weld is and how to achieve it, but also how to troubleshoot - skills for life. Great idea, have hit the website and will see what the availability is like. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaygZ Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Two things I did: enrole in a TAFE welding course - most of the welding we did was on 3mm+ plate so not exactly what I wanted - maybe should have made inqs about the sheet metal guys to see if they did any welding; went to the local panel beaters and asked for some stuffed panels - got a couple of guards, cut them up and welded them back together. Helped me set up the welder (close as the new panels were a bit thinker than the Z panel), but got me more used to welding without warping. Now just before Lurch chimes in, I'm still a pretty shit welder but I'm better than I would have been without doing these things. MaygZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvemfast Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Now just before Lurch chimes in, I'm still a pretty shiver bloke but I'm better than I would have been without doing these things. Fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottz Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Just keep practicing. Like any job, it's the setting up and preparation that makes the difference. Once you get a handle on carbon steel, try stainless steel and aluminum. Have a go at stick, mig (gas and gasless) and tig. Not all welding machines can do all the welding processes, but have a go if your machine can do more than 1. Bought my first machine when I was 19. An old SIP stick machine, back when they made the coils with copper, not aluminum and it is a heavy little beast. Still goes strong. Bought a CIG Transmig 175i multi-process inverter a few years ago and my friends have used it more than me. It is really versatile and easy to use. Only bad point is the cost of gas even in the small bottle size. Recently repaired my boat aluminum fuel tank with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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