I need a hobby.
I want to learn how to weld.
I'm planning on taking a basic welding class, but I have to wait until the next semester, because I waited too long and and the fall class filled up.
I'm only interested in basic welding skills.
Is this something I can teach myself?
Are there inexpensive welders I can purchase that will do a good job?
The goal is to build a board track bike, using old bicycle parts and a wizzer engine kit.
I need to be able to make and attach brackets, and fab up a tank.
Should I just wait till the next semester?
Quote from: bobspapa on August 20, 2008, 11:15:12 AM
I need a hobby. yeah you do
I want to learn how to weld. [thumbsup]
I'm planning on taking a basic welding class, but I have to wait until the next semester, because I waited too long and and the fall class filled up. poor planning on your part, have you tried all the area adult schools and the local jc? [cheeky]
I'm only interested in basic welding skills. Not for long
Is this something I can teach myself? Yes
Are there inexpensive welders I can purchase that will do a good job? depends on the metal and type of welding, but not what you want it for
The goal is to build a board track bike, using old bicycle parts and a wizzer engine kit. alumnium or steel?
I need to be able to make and attach brackets, and fab up a tank.
Should I just wait till the next semester?
To get the cleanest strongest welds on thin stuff, you really need to tig weld. The downside is they are super expensive, and some adult schools dont offer it. The plus side though is you can weld just about anything once you learn. You might be able to get buy with a mig, if your doner bike is a thicker gauge steel... but even then, a decent mig can cost some coin. Basically, how strong and "pretty" do you want your welds to be?
Ive been trying to learn myself but $$$$
I have a basic SMAW welder. You can do ALOT with it, but its very hard to do a nice clean weld or anything structual. One of the biggest problems with learning how to weld, is how much metal you end up destroying, thats usually priced into a class. I remember saying you were paying a retard price for your class, so why not wait. You'll learn properly. I on the other hand, have no $. And would ask my brother to teach me (he is a wlder by trade) but i havent spoken to him in over 9 months now since he decided to be an asshole. I have scrap metal all over my garage so i have free material to make the beast with two backs up on.
if you can find someone to walk you through it, youd be MUCH better of, big thing that you wont be able to realize is, did you get good penetration of the metal? You wont know unless you have samples of good welds, or someone to point it out.
And +1 on the TIG welder. Really make the beast with two backsing expensive and if you have a TIG, you can basically do anything you want, but much make the beast with two backsing up will you do before you can make them strong and pretty?
Quoteif you can find someone to walk you through it, youd be MUCH better of, big thing that you wont be able to realize is, did you get good penetration of the metal? You wont know unless you have samples of good welds, or someone to point it out.
My shop teacher in class would do a proper weld (lap, butt, and so on) then have us try. Then he would put both samples in a bench vice attach a 3 foot breaker bar and told us to break the welds. Basically you would redo your weld in till it was as strong as his.
steel
basic bike frame tubing
class cost are 25 bucks, and the only other option to classes were to travel to Delano. nooooo thanks.
welding is something that you learn on the job
not in a school
if the "shop" teacher could weld he would be a welder and not making the chump change a teacher makes vs. a welder
Here is my story
My pops is a welder
a make the beast with two backsing fantastic artist of a welder
been doin it since he was 16 and he's 60 now
I would never begin to think about hitting his welds with a pearl wheel because they are beautiful
like braided rope
I've seen machines make the beast with two backs up where he don't
about 8 years ago he decided to become legit and get a welding certificate because he wanted to do some fancy project
and they wanted a cert
so he took a welding class at a local community college
his teacher failed him
failed a guy who I heard Boyd Coddington say was an artist at his craft at a carshow in bakersfield
so based on that singular event
I say learn the basics from a teacher if you don't know anything
but learn the craft on your own or from somebody who actually does it in the field
Quote from: Mother on August 20, 2008, 11:48:29 AM
if the "shop" teacher could weld he would be a welder and not making the chump change a teacher makes vs. a welder
While I do agree with you about learning on a job, I think your generilzation about shop teachers isn't always correct.
The shop teacher that taught me how to weld worked as a welder for the Navy on ships for 20 years and he retired. He taught classes to keep himself busy.
I would imagine that a lot of CC teachers are/were in the trade and are making extra $$ on the side.
Quote from: Vindingo on August 20, 2008, 12:10:37 PM
While I do agree with you about learning on a job, I think your generilzation about shop teachers isn't always correct.
The shop teacher that taught me how to weld worked as a welder for the Navy on ships for 20 years and he retired. He taught classes to keep himself busy.
I would imagine that a lot of CC teachers are/were in the trade and are making extra $$ on the side.
dats why it isa generalization
Quote from: bobspapa on August 20, 2008, 11:15:12 AM
I need a hobby.
I want to learn how to weld.
I'm planning on taking a basic welding class, but I have to wait until the next semester, because I waited too long and and the fall class filled up.
I'm only interested in basic welding skills.
Is this something I can teach myself?
Are there inexpensive welders I can purchase that will do a good job?
The goal is to build a board track bike, using old bicycle parts and a wizzer engine kit.
I need to be able to make and attach brackets, and fab up a tank.
Should I just wait till the next semester?
I can teach you anything you need to know.
Quote from: someguy on August 20, 2008, 12:27:10 PM
I can teach you anything you need to know.
well..... get yer ass down here ;)
I can see it now
(http://www.desantisphotography.com/photo/images/welder.jpg)
(http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/PortlandInjury/otherimages/indexpic/flash/HouseFire_2.jpg)
(http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FBU/2A3K/F2NOBQVK/FBU2A3KF2NOBQVK.MEDIUM.jpg)
the house is insured ;)
Quote from: bobspapa on August 20, 2008, 12:35:08 PM
well..... get yer ass down here ;)
Don't forget to stock up on multiple fire extinguishers first! [cheeky]
Quote from: msincredible on August 20, 2008, 01:15:40 PM
Don't forget to stock up on multiple fire extinguishers first! [cheeky]
got that covered [laugh]
I know me [evil]
I would maybe try and find a good local shop, and see if they would be willing to let you work while they teach you for free plan.
bp,
I've got all the required equipment you are welcome to borrow it.
welder 100volt 130 amp mig with gas
plasma cutter 110/220 volt will cut up to 1/4" plate onm 110 and 1/2" on 220
grinders too many to list
come and get it.
lessons are free. [thumbsup]
forgot to add all safety equip too. ;D
Quote from: red baron on August 20, 2008, 01:27:09 PM
forgot to add all safety equip too. ;D
most important thing in welding [thumbsup]
arc burn is .................painful :'(
Quote from: TiAvenger on August 20, 2008, 01:30:27 PM
most important thing in welding [thumbsup]
arc burn is .................painful :'(
and you know this how..............
Quote from: red baron on August 20, 2008, 01:32:24 PM
and you know this how..............
hand shielding in half leathers, exposed my armpit (tanktop under leathers) for about 150 tacks.... had problems lowering my arm for weeks..........
Quote from: red baron on August 20, 2008, 01:25:54 PM
bp,
I've got all the required equipment you are welcome to borrow it.
welder 100volt 130 amp mig with gas
plasma cutter 110/220 volt will cut up to 1/4" plate onm 110 and 1/2" on 220
grinders too many to list
come and get it.
lessons are free. [thumbsup]
on my way ;D
myb rother learned in a school it cost $15,000. Each and every single one of your welds were x-rayed to show how well your penetration was, so it depends on the school.
Quote from: red baron on August 20, 2008, 01:25:54 PM
bp,
I've got all the required equipment you are welcome to borrow it.
welder 100volt 130 amp mig with gas
plasma cutter 110/220 volt will cut up to 1/4" plate onm 110 and 1/2" on 220
grinders too many to list
come and get it.
lessons are free. [thumbsup]
this is what I'm talkin about
this is the way to go about it
+1 It doesn't take much more than working with someone who knows what they're doing. Welding is and art and science, but not a black art ;)
I'm self taught with my TIG. I picked it up at a garage sale for $800, sold off all the crap I didn't need that came with it and made my money back.
Did a lot of reading and looking at pictures on the net. That coupled with trial and error I got it figured out. I can pretty much weld anything that will melt (except plastic)
What I have recently discovered that I don't like at all about welding: Using my arm as a ground. Ouch! For light welds I just use mechanic's gloves, enough to keep the heat away from my hand. However, I found out they will conduct 'D
Ground clamp on table, arc between torch and work piece. All is good.
Screw up and stick you filler rod to the tungston and have your bare elbow resting on the same bench the ground clamp is attached to, well then the current flows across the filler rod, through your arm and to the table/over to the ground clamp.
Well, it might actually flow in reverse of that description but the end result is a big surprise, a funny feeling arm and my glove and filler rod getting flung across the room [laugh][laugh]
<--- self learned gorilla welder. its not pretty, but it stood up to the guys abuse (as well as anything would)
Take the class, if it's a good one you'll get lots of time with an oxy-acetylene torch, and a bit of time with TIG and Arc.
Then get a welder, and practice and practice and practice and practice and practice and practice and practice and practice.....
It's what I did.
So, like today, when I need a wrench to torque head nuts:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2782054367_e55bbcf36e_o.jpg)
Socket (cracked) + combination wrench + fire + rod = Tool
Aren't you going to have to cut that wrench in half so it fits in there?
the goal in all of this, is to build a board track style bike loosly based on this
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/743147120_63d684c60d.jpg?v=0)
I like the straighter, angled lines of this bike.
(http://www.chainganglowrider.com/MRKFORK_upright.jpg)
http://www.extreme-scooters.com/bicycle_engine_kit.htm
and find a frame that allows for good engine placement that stiill retains some of the BMWs lines
Man up and build your own.
You can do it.
I'll only say one thing...
don't look at the bright light...
look past it. ;)
Quote from: bobspapa on August 20, 2008, 05:51:58 PM
the goal in all of this, is to build a board track style bike loosly based on this
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/743147120_63d684c60d.jpg?v=0)
I like the straighter, angled lines of this bike.
Now all you need is a big mouth opinionated father and an overweight lazy brother and you can start your own discovery channel special.
Quote from: ducpainter on August 20, 2008, 06:59:26 PM
I'll only say one thing...
don't look at the bright light...
look past it. ;)
I was always told if you look at it long enough you can see your own future.
Quote from: Monsterlover on August 20, 2008, 07:04:38 PM
I was always told if you look at it long enough you can see your own future.
You weren't welding at the time...
were you? [laugh]
Well, yeah. . . why 8)
[laugh]
Quote from: Monsterlover on August 20, 2008, 07:10:47 PM
Well, yeah. . . why 8)
[laugh]
better arrange the seeing eye dog now. ;D
Problem is she was looking at her future too.
My seeing eye dog needs a seeing eye dog [laugh]
Quote from: Monsterlover on August 20, 2008, 07:27:01 PM
Problem is she was looking at her future too.
My seeing eye dog needs a seeing eye dog [laugh]
hmmmmm..
It seems we have a dilemma....
or...
it just sucks to be you. j/k
;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6AFCJ1dLdg
good tune
Quote from: Monsterlover on August 20, 2008, 06:51:00 PM
Man up and build your own.
You can do it.
I can also teach this.
<--knows all.
hahahaha
Quote from: babyface on August 20, 2008, 09:15:33 PM
I can also teach this.
<--knows all.
all of these open ended offers.... I still have some really fun wiring to do on my Honda!
Quote from: Vindingo on August 20, 2008, 10:52:15 PM
all of these open ended offers.... I still have some really fun wiring to do on my Honda!
Yer # 3 on the list, depending on how this weekend goes, and my compressor delivery.
It also works better if you actually invite me up-I can't keep up with yer busy schedule of unemployment.
I worked for the theatre department at the local community college building scenery. We needed a big curved ships railing for a show, so my co-worker's girlfirend's father 9yeah I know it is confusing, shut up) taught us how to weld. The guy wasn't much of a teacher, but he was a fantastic welder. He would basically curse at us for about a half hour, tell an old story for about and hour and a half, and then leave us to figure out what we should do. That evening he would come out to the shop and curse at us for our mistakes for about an hour and then tell us to go home. Repeat this every day for about four weeks (these are days from 6am to about 10pm), and you knew how to weld.
I think I also learned a lot about cursinf, too bad I never curse, I could have been really good after all that instruction. Anyways, we ended up learning how to weld form an awesome welder, but a not so good teacher, now either of us can just say his name in town and get a job welding anywhere, too bad I am in school for chiropractic. Oh well, I guess I will just save it for the DUCs!!!!
The Doc