calling all welders

[Grampa]

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?

[TiAvenger]

I need a hobby.    yeah you do

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.   poor planning on your part, have you tried all the area adult schools and the local jc? 

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?

[He Man]

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?

[TiAvenger]

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.

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.

[Grampa]

steel

basic bike frame tubing

class cost are 25 bucks, and the only other option to classes were to travel to Delano. nooooo thanks.

[Mother]

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

[Vindingo]

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. 

[Mother]

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

[Popeye the Sailor]

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.

[Grampa]

I can teach you anything you need to know.

well..... get yer ass down here

[TiAvenger]

I can see it now

[Grampa]

the house is insured 

[somegirl]

well..... get yer ass down here

Don't forget to stock up on multiple fire extinguishers first!

[Grampa]

Don't forget to stock up on multiple fire extinguishers first!

got that covered


I know me

[Kopfjager]

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.