I'm learning how to weld!

[David Hodgkins]

I signed up for Welding class at the local Jr College. More for other projects like my son's '66 Mustang, but I've always wanted to learn how to glue metal together. ;)

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=161589&d=1643736705
The 3 link shown here cost as much to weld in as my welding class!

Should be a fun time! I'll keep y'all informed of my progress.

:)

[GoDadGo]

Good Luck Brother Dave!

I suck at welding and am good at making blobs of Volcanic Bird Poop when I attempt to use a stick welder.
I can tack stuff together with my Mini-Mig, then run around the corner to my favorite real welder and fabricator.
He repairs wheels, builds fuel tanks, does general fabrication, and makes Super Cool Gator Pots.

https://www.facebook.com/CajunWheelDoctor/

https://www.facebook.com/gatorpots/

Again, Good Luck Brother Dave!

[Mike N]

Great resources out there. This is one of the more complete video library's. I've learned a lot by watching his videos. https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks Learn the basics, especially about equipment set up and part prep / cleanliness. After that just practice, practice, practice. :cool:

[NAZ]

Good for you!

David, that's a very handy skill to have and everyone will want to be your friend.

I learned to weld when I was 12 and after the Army spent two-years in welding school working on my certs to become a pipe fitter. Spent many years making my living welding about anything that could be welded, including PVC and Kynar plastics for chemical piping. I encourage you to stick with it and learn everything that school will teach you. And now days, YouTube has lot's of great videos on how to improve your skills once you learn the basics. And I'd also encourage you to buy good quality industrial grade equipment -- yes it makes a difference. Cost more but you will be handing it down to your kids or when it's time to sell, recoup most of your investment. When I bought a new TIG welder, I sold my old TIG machine I'd used for 30 plus years for more than I paid for it. Won't see that with a HF special.

Two of my boys followed me into the trade. A good welder can make as much or more than an engineer. I know, cuz I've done both.

[egchewy79]

this is my next journey as well

[JohnK]

Please post updates as you go. I took a one-day "Intro to welding" course at a local shop, which was basically just a "here, try out the various types of welders" (stick, MIG, TIG). What that taught me was that it's much harder than it looks and I suck at welding. I've thought about taking a course a local junior college so I'm curious to hear your feedback.

[ydousurf]

Have a great time in class, David! I actually did the same at our local community college. Stick and MIG are really cool, well, hot! However, TIG is what I enjoyed the most. Well, that and using the Gas Torch and Plasma Cutter, in which, you just feel like an all powerful wizard and the possibilites are endless. I'm actually re-saving my pennies to get me a really nice setup. So, be extra careful with everything, since there are so many ways one can get injured. Number one piece of advice, get the best welding helmet your budget will allow, since yOUR eyes are the most precious to any of us.

Enjoy the fun and shop the various welding brands (ESAB for me) since you'll surely be hooked on the fun and the incredible potential having these skills and what they can do for you, your family and and friends as well. Feel the puddle and let it flow! And keep the spatter off the platter and always protect your eyes! Be safe and have a blast!

[Jacob McCrea]

Nice. It's a remarkably useful skill and tool to have. I haven't had a microwave for 15 years but I wouldn't go 15 minutes without owning a welder. Also, buying more machine than you think you'll need is a very good idea. A mig with enough power to really run an aluminum spool gun is hard to beat for a hobbyist.

[cgundermann]

About 3 years ago my best friend who welds for Boeing surprised me with a Lincoln TIG welder and taught me the basics. After several years of TIG welding almost everyday and numerous projects, I finally feel proficient. He recently flew down from Washington to help me "stick" weld 2 & 3/8 well piping I used for cattle fencing for my back pasture.

I enjoy it so much that I recently purchased a plasma cutter as well as a CNC plasma table...having the time of my life...hoping to incorporate these skills into my Daytona build.

You are going to love it Dave!

Chris

[Alan_C]

Dave: The welder will pay for itself many times over, a great investment. If your Son's 66 needs the standard rustang repairs, priceless.
I considered a welding class at our local JC, but at over $400, not worth the money to me. Instead I bought a better welder and picked up scrap steel at the local metal supply by the pound. I experimented welding everything from 20 down to 10 gauge. Most of the welding on my 70 Mustang restomod has been plug welding. A lot of good welding videos on YouTube and other sites.
There is no shortcut to be a good welder, experience is the key. A good MIG welder is all one really needs for car projects, but having TIG too can be an advantage for exhaust.
Practice, practice and enjoy.

[mikeinatlanta]

I've been welding for over 25 years and never learned. I'm beginning to think it's an aptitude issue.

[Derald Rice]

I took a votech class several years ago, and I had difficulty wearing glasses under the helmet

Without the gasses, I could not focus on the bead, and it showed.

Then one of the instructors let me use his helmet with "Cheater Lenses" .....A world of difference.!!!!

And they are dirt cheap.....Still not a good welder, but I can get by if I need to.

[J R Jones]

David, Lots of good information here, I will add that welding fumes are hazardous and occasionally dangerous. You need great exhaust ventilation, but not a fan. You need welding respirators. The products of combustion and hazardous gases are smaller than particle matter. Plated metal is very dangerous and burnt galvanizing can cause pneumonia.
Glasses fog with masks, especially if they do not fit well. Anti-fog treatment helps.
If the flame turns green stop and clean the tip and your weld, it will not go well until you do.
jim

[WIS89]

About 3 years ago my best friend who welds for Boeing surprised me with a Lincoln TIG welder and taught me the basics.
Chris


Chris-

Now THAT is a great friend!! And, he taught you how to use it, and then he came out and helped you with a project? Yeah, we all need at least one friend like that! Now, does he need any more friends? HAHA

I think it says as much about you, as it does about him frankly Chris! I appreciate you sharing the story.

Regards,

Steve

[lance corsi]

David, welding has been working me of the most useful skills I’ve learned. Still learning, getting better. Keep burning in the free world!

[cgundermann]

Chris-

Now THAT is a great friend!! And, he taught you how to use it, and then he came out and helped you with a project? Yeah, we all need at least one friend like that! Now, does he need any more friends? HAHA

I think it says as much about you, as it does about him frankly Chris! I appreciate you sharing the story.

Regards,

Steve

He's a tremendous friend, I'm blessed with his friendship.

Thanks Steve,

Chris

[David Hodgkins]

Well, now I have a long list of tools/accessories to buy before Thursday!

1. Soft Welder’s hat
2. Welding/Cutting goggles (shade #5 lens)
3. Welding hood (shade 10 lens)
4. Heavy Stick Welding gloves
5. Tig gloves for Oxy/Acetylene welding (optional)
6. Welding jacket (either all leather or cotton with leather sleeves)
7. Safety Glasses
8. #00 oxy/acetylene tip for victor torches (model # 00-W-1)
9. Flint striker
10. Tip cleaner
11. Chipping hammer
12. Wire brush
13. Vise grips
14. 4” triangular magnet
15. C-Clamp or C-Clamp vise Grips

No Idea yet how much these will set me back $$$-wise.

Also purchased a textbook online for ~$160 bucks! Whew, textbooks are expensive!

Last night was all about ground rules, safety and we had a shop tour. Man I'd love to have a bunch of stuff they have! The air system alone was impressive. Replaces all the shop air every minute.

:)

[NAZ]

If you wear glasses, consider putting cheater lenses in your hood. The lightweight hoods with auto darkening lenses are the way to go. And get the cool graphics with flames or skulls or Harley Davidson branding -- guaranteed to make your welds look better. Myself, I hate googles. If they allow it, you may consider using a grinding shield with a dark lens made for cutting & gas welding. There are a lot of welding supply sources online so if your local weld shop doesn't carry something you need, GTS (Google that stuff) the item and you'll likely find it on line.

Have fun, and don't put your matches in your front shirt pocket when stick welding overhead.

https://www.pinterest.com/anthonymoomawstu/welding-memes/

[Jetfuel]

David, I see you bought a book, I was going to recommend this book " Metals and how to weld them" by T B Jefferson, published by welding engineer publications and can by purchased directly from The James F Lincoln Foundation.
Safety, equipment and techniques are fundamental as everybody has mentioned but understanding the mechanical properties of metals being welded plays a large part on the safety of the welds.
Good luck.

Jet

PS: You can borrow it ...just let me know where to mail it.

[chmhasy]

Well, now I have a long list of tools/accessories to buy before Thursday!

1. Soft Welder’s hat
2. Welding/Cutting goggles (shade #5 lens)
3. Welding hood (shade 10 lens)
4. Heavy Stick Welding gloves
5. Tig gloves for Oxy/Acetylene welding (optional)
6. Welding jacket (either all leather or cotton with leather sleeves)
7. Safety Glasses
8. #00 oxy/acetylene tip for victor torches (model # 00-W-1)
9. Flint striker
10. Tip cleaner
11. Chipping hammer
12. Wire brush
13. Vise grips
14. 4” triangular magnet
15. C-Clamp or C-Clamp vise Grips

No Idea yet how much these will set me back $$$-wise.

Also purchased a textbook online for ~$160 bucks! Whew, textbooks are expensive!

Last night was all about ground rules, safety and we had a shop tour. Man I'd love to have a bunch of stuff they have! The air system alone was impressive. Replaces all the shop air every minute.

:)

Check harbor freight they have a bunch of welding supplies, some good some not so good.

[David Hodgkins]

Check harbor freight they have a bunch of welding supplies, some good some not so good.

I went with a welding supply store. Better stuff I think. Spent about $550...

And still need shoes.

:)

[David Hodgkins]

David, I see you bought a book, I was going to recommend this book " Metals and how to weld them" by T B Jefferson, published by welding engineer publications and can by purchased directly from The James F Lincoln Foundation.
Safety, equipment and techniques are fundamental as everybody has mentioned but understanding the mechanical properties of metals being welded plays a large part on the safety of the welds.
Good luck.

Jet

PS: You can borrow it ...just let me know where to mail it.

Here is my required textbook:
Modern Welding (Twelfth Edition)
By Althouse and Bowditch
Publisher: GW Publisher
ISBN 978-1-63563-686-4

I got the hardback edition. Supposed to be pretty good. I'm looking into your recommendation too. THanks!

:)

EDIT I found this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Metals-Weld-Them-T-B-Jefferson/dp/B08PX9N9MH/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=CED17ZMOX4TY&keywords=metals+and+how+to+weld+them&qid=1643842539&s=books&sprefix=Metals+and+how+to+weld+them%2Cstripbooks%2 C163&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFYREVKQVc0OFEwVDMmZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA5MDcxMjAyRjFVTkxQRENUUU1GJmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNDYwNTkzSVcyVDQ5OExBUTBKJndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm9 0TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

EDIT EDIT and this is what you are referring to? https://www.jflf.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MHW

[Jetfuel]

Yes . The blue cover one

Jet

[Straversi]

Good for you Dave. I took a few classes from a shop that unfortunately went under when Covid restrictions closed him down. I have since bought my own machine and built a welding table out of some gym equipment that never got used. I’ve been building some projects around the house as I improve my skills. I really enjoy it but glad I don’t have to do it for a living. Have fun.
-Steve

[cob427sc]

I taught myself welding starting around age 12 with a stick welder running off batteries. Have numerous funny stories over the years about dumb mistakes: setting pants on fire, hot sparks burning through my sneakers, welding pieces together backwards, etc. You will be surprised at what you can do and what new projects you will tackle once you have this skill. You will also become the go to guy in the neighborhood for car repairs, bicycle frame repairs/mods, even welding a handle on a frying pan for a neighbor. Have fun!

[aquillen]

I've been hit with the "must get this and that" after getting into welding too. For a really fast way to spend money, get a mill or lathe and watch how fast you start needing extras (and the costs, o-my, the costs). But it's all a riot of fun if you ask me... as long as you make more than you break.

[mikeinatlanta]

I did make the mistake of buying a cheap auto dimming helmet once, don't do that. Bought a Miller branded one and life is much better.

[Alan_C]

I highly recommend the Miller Digital Performance Series helmets. They use what they call ClearLight technology, that is they look clear before darkening. At Cyberweld they are about $200. One can never get enough light on the work area, so the ClearLight tech makes it a lot easier to see the puddle.
One thing about going cheap on anything, welder, helmet, gloves, wire, etc. is that you will likely end up buying it again. My first helmet was a 3M freebee as part of a welder package. Good enough to get started, but as I did more welding, a better helmet was needed.
Some of the supplies in the list makes it sound like you are going to do stick welding. OK if you are doing heavier gauge welding, but for car stuff down to 20 gauge, MIG or TIG is the ticket. Welding with shielding gas is so much cleaner that dealing with the slag associated with stick welding.

[David Hodgkins]

I got a Welcote Ultraview Plus auto-darkening helmet. Cost $181.

Thoughts?

[mikeinatlanta]

I got a Welcote Ultraview Plus auto-darkening helmet. Cost $181.

Thoughts?

I'm no authority on what is or isn't good, but my first cheap auto darken cost less than fifty bucks.

[NAZ]

David, that's a good start. If you continue with this new skill, you'll buy different hoods, gloves, jackets, and other PPE until you settle on what works best for you.

[q4stix]

People may chuckle at this, but my shop at work picked up a few Harbor Freight, Vulcan "ARCSAFE Auto Darkening" helmets. We've used Miller, Lincoln, Tweco, and a few others but it's hard to beat the cost to performance and visibility of the Vulcan. If my current auto-darkening helmet dies, that's what I'll be buying for my personal use

[Skuzzy]

I have an eye condition which prevents me from being able to weld, using the current lens technology. It really sucks hard to have to depend on others to put together my vision of things.

Congrats to all those who have the ability and can do it. I am truly envious.

[David Hodgkins]

Wow. Welding is a lot harder than I thought! My first try at stick welding:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=162120&d=1644434730

So many lessons learned. Too much angle. Letting the gap grow too large. Inconsistent travel. Not waiting for a pool to form. Not hitting the slag off after every pass.

How many times can a guy get the tip stuck??

It's embarrassing posting this, but I think of it as a "before" shot. Let's compare it to what I can do at the end on the term!

:)

[Windsor]

How many times can a guy get the tip stuck??

I remember asking myself that same question in welding class (Army) many moons ago.

[NAZ]

Don't give up, we all started the same way.

Welders be: "more rod, more heat, and more money".

[Jeff Kleiner]

162131

:p

Practice, practice and more practice and this can be you!

162133

:)

[lance corsi]

David, I’m not an expert welder but I found that tig was an easier on ramp for me. Stick welding really takes some skill to yield good looking welds. I’ve been trying to lay the perfect bead for about 35 years now, but haven’t succeeded yet! It’s out there tho….
Happy welding!
Ps; there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking an introduction course at your nearby vocational school.

[David Hodgkins]

David, I’m not an expert welder but I found that tig was an easier on ramp for me. Stick welding really takes some skill to yield good looking welds. I’ve been trying to lay the perfect bead for about 35 years now, but haven’t succeeded yet! It’s out there tho….
Happy welding!
Ps; there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking an introduction course at your nearby vocational school.

Yep, that's what I'm doing. 4-hour class twice a week at the local Jr College.

:)

[Mike N]

Most people concentrate on making good looking welds rather than good structural welds. Don't lose sight of what the weld needs to do. Once you start welding pieces together cut a few in half and look at the weld penetration. You may be surprised.

[NiceGuyEddie]

Good luck with the lessons! I am what you would call "really really really good with my hands" however, for some strange reason, there are two things I just can't do:

1. Soldering
2. Welding

:p

[David Hodgkins]

Good luck with the lessons! I am what you would call "really really really good with my hands" however, for some strange reason, there are two things I just can't do:

1. Soldering
2. Welding

:p

I'm actually pretty good at soldering.

Welding? fergedddaboudit!

:)

[JimLev]

Great thread about welding. It’s an art that takes time to master.
I bought a DC TIG about 6 years ago as well as a new welders best friend, an angle grinder.
I still can’t lay down a nice row of dimes. Two day ago I bought my second TIG, this one will also do aluminum too.
Haven’t used it yet, just finished putting in a 240v service for it yesterday.

[David Hodgkins]

Great thread about welding. It’s an art that takes time to master.
I bought a DC TIG about 6 years ago as well as a new welders best friend, an angle grinder.
I still can’t lay down a nice row of dimes. Two day ago I bought my second TIG, this one will also do aluminum too.
Haven’t used it yet, just finished putting in a 240v service for it yesterday.

Awesome!

[Mike N]

For anyone wanting to improve their TIG skills this youtube channel is excellent https://www.youtube.com/c/PacificArcTigWelding
For MIG and TIG the one I posted earlier is also fantastic https://www.youtube.com/c/weldingtipsandtricks

[jamminj]

good luck
I can't lay dimes yet ether
I have an Everlast 255ext with water cooler and roll around cart
been practicing (I guess not enough yet)

[Windsor]

When I'm welding, I need these:

https://i.imgur.com/ATbBIrB.jpg

Lots of them.

[first time builder]

I started Stick welding back in 1970 and never really got what I felt was a good looking weld, did it hold yes never a failure. I got a Lincoln Mig about 10 yrs ago and wow what a difference.
Great welds and look pretty good but not like whats shown in those photos. I believe that is a Tig weld. I would like to learn Tig but at my age I dont think so . 76 now just trying to keep the heart pumping correctly LOL. Last week had three more stents added to the fuel lines.

[David Hodgkins]

Here's part of my 3rd session Tuesday:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=162694&d=1645116944

This is 1/8" stick 6010. Started at the bottom and worked to the top in this photo. You can see the progression as I adjusted the voltage and speed. Still learning the basics, but dipping it in water and hitting the wire wheel sure helps with heat management and getting a good look at the weld. Not so much splatter anymore but still could do a better job removing the slag.

:)

[NAZ]

Making progress. It's difficult to maintain a straight line when welding a bead on a flat plate as you have no visual reference. And as you've noticed by now, your vision is narrowed under the hood.

One of the tricks you'll learn is how to steady your hands by using your elbows or shoulders to build a support. Sort of like long range field shooting, building the rest is key. With the proper rest you'll see straighter welds. You need to move like a machine, steady and precise like your arms and hands are moving on rails. Welding in the field or out of position welding, take advantage of any convenient rest to support your forearm or the back of your hand. This will become much more important when you start TIG welding but what you learn now about tricks to stead your hand will transfer to TIG later.

At some point, you'll want to get yourself a needle scaler. It strips the slag quickly and efficiently but also peens the weld to stress relieve it. This is essential when you start welding cast iron and steel, these welds and the HAZ must be stress relieved after each short pass. You can pick up cheap ones at HF or get a quality one like this: https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/ingersoll-rand-125-air-needle-scaler?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjdTS5qOH9gIVYR6tBh3sOQJtEAQYBCAB EgIUMPD_BwE Using a chipping hammer is old fashioned, step up to the modern world of welding. It's like using pneumatic power tools when wrenching on your car.

Have fun.

[GoDadGo]

Dang Dave,

Looks Like You're Getting The Hang Of It!
Weld-On Brother, Weld-On!

Steve

[Jeff Kleiner]

There ya' go! I expect they'll have you sticking 2 pieces together soon.

Carry on!

Jeff

[ydousurf]

Looking good, David! It's really cool you are documenting your learn-to-weld experience for everyone. I'm sure others will be motivated to also give it a try. Welding is such a valuable skill for one to have. And like most welders, they always strive for that perfect weld. Soon you have the technique that works best for you, and you too will be a seasoned welder in no time! Definetly get what tools you think you need! Anyway, keep at it and keep sharing the fun with us all. :cool:

Doug

[Skuzzy]

Congratulations! Looking pretty good there. I am absolutely envious. Keep it up!

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

The only way to learn welding is though experience. Don't give up. It is the almost the best thing i learned in school. (I use math more, as does everyone.)
I know that 6010 shows every little thing. Once you get it to work well the min you try a mig you will be surprised how simple it is.

[SourceLee]

Advice?!? Master the three following items and you’ll master welding in short order:
1. The Basics
2. The Basics
3. The Basics.
The art of doing something right is understanding what you’re doing wrong. I’ll gladly take a bad welder who understands their shortcomings. Compared to a good welder who has no clue on what they’re doing right. I’m a hobby welder of 20+ years. About 7 years ago I attended a welding Tech school and acquired several welding certs. I then became a welding contractor*. I even went as far as going through the process of obtaining a NYC welding license. Never finished the paperwork though. See pics below. These are Tig welds on an aluminum fuel cell made by an apprentice. The magic in her welds is there is no magic! She has a comprehensive understanding of the basics. Add a good set of instructions and you’ll get scientific artwork.
163155

[SourceLee]

Great thread about welding. It’s an art that takes time to master.
I bought a DC TIG about 6 years ago as well as a new welders best friend, an angle grinder.
I still can’t lay down a nice row of dimes. Two day ago I bought my second TIG, this one will also do aluminum too.
Haven’t used it yet, just finished putting in a 240v service for it yesterday.

I second JimLev's suggestion. Angle grinder! A grinder is a MUST HAVE tool for any welder. Its value can't be overstated. Grinder, keys, wallet. In this order, I don't leave the house without these items.

[NAZ]

When you're first learning to weld.
163200

But when you're a real welder.
163201

[SourceLee]

When you're first learning to weld.
163200

But when you're a real welder.
163201

Lol. I hear ya Naz. For clarification purposes let me expand on what I meant. It’s going to be lengthy but hang tight. Sure, grinders are fantastic at undoing a bad pass. However it’s true value is when its used tactically and as part of a welding strategy. Here are some examples
-Cutting. Outfitted with a cutoff wheel, grinders will make quick work at cutting all sorts of metal stock.
-Prepping base metals with a grinder. Anything you don’t want mixed up with your weld pool needs to be removed prior to welding. Paint, rust, mill scale, flame cutting slag etc. Undesirable stuff like this will contaminate your weld. Will a contaminated weld hold? Probably. Can you afford for it not to hold? Probably not!
-Joint prep using a grinder. For more critical welds sometimes the base metal will need to be prepped. Such as edge prepping in creating a valley in a butt weld. V groove! This strategy will insure full penetration through the weld joint. Start at the bottom (the root) and stack stingers/beads until it’s completely filled in. Side note. This strategy works well when all you have is a small welding machine to work with. Especially when welding something thick.
-Blending. After completing a weld, a grinder can remove the cap of the bead. Thereby making the weldment look like one uniform piece with no indication it was welded.
-My favorite. During a welding project, pieces will twist and pull due to the high temperatures involved. Without proper planning this could ruin your entire day. Solution? Tack up temporary braces in key locations. Use scrap metal, nothing fancy. A temporary tacked brace will perform better than any C-clamp or vice grip. Plus this strategy works where conventional clamps struggle to get a good hold. Especially with weird angles and awkward positions. After everything is done, it’s time to remove these scrap metal braces. Enter the grinder! This also works with run off tabs.
-Last one. Lets say you have a tight seam to weld. It’s so tight you can’t gain access to the bottom of the joint. Use the grinder to “open it up”. Now you’ve exposed the root and can properly lay down a penetrating pass.
Bob’s your uncle.

163222
163223
163224
163225

Photos courtesy:
Bob Moffatt of Welddotcom
Makezine.com
Fireballtool.com
TheFabricator.com Tony Hufford
Mechanicalelements.com

[David Hodgkins]

Thank you everyone who chimed in with advice! I have had a bit of exposure to your expertise, and will plan for it in the future!

Time for an update...

Actually, a bit overdue! Newbies, listen up.

I have had several sessions since my last update. Turns out, 6010 is a "harder" choice for stick welding. I have experimented with 6011 and 6013 since then, each one easier than 6010.

FYI I am getting a grasp of how far I have to go!

I am stil using a "push" technique, vs pull. Push is just a described, setting a pool and then pushing it forward. 6010 is good for this technique. The different classifications have to do with the outer coverings, or shielding, around the arc rod. They all start with "60" which identifies the rod "hardness" itself, which in turn matched the underlying material being welded.. the shielding makes all the difference in the orientations (horizontal, vertical, flat, overhead), and chemical makeup of the shielding itself. After using 6010 for a while, and getting the basic weld "look and feel" I was given the chance to try 6011 and 6013. Each of theses were easier than the one that preceded it. Here is 6011:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163667&d=1646873174

FYI I have learned since then that these welds were mostly under currented. The beads should be flatter. I have also learned since then that the slag (the black element in these pics) is the enemy and MUST be COMPLETELY eliminated!

Anyway, after a bunch of passes with 6011 I got to try 6013:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163668&d=1646873174

By this time I was laying down passes perpendicular to the 6010 and 6011 passes. The 6013 was SO MUCH easier to lay down then the 6010 or 6011! But if you look at the pic you will see a s-ton of the slag I was talking about before... slag is bad!

[David Hodgkins]

Once I got the basics down It was time to learn how to lay down multiple passes of 6010. For this exercise I tack welded 2 90 degree angle irons together and then started laying multiple passes of 6010 on top of each other. My first few passes of 6010 culminated in this shot:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163666&d=1646873174

Note the slag. It is all the dark spots in the pic. Slag is EVIL. It MUST be eliminated before doing a pass over it because it compromises the integrity of the weld!

As I went along I learned about slag and what it does to decrease the quality of the weld and how to defeat it (with a HOT pass [increased amperage] in a welding 101 class, NOT in the field, due to the effects it has on the underlying metal) and learned how to better scrape slag out of the weld area to defeat corrosion of the weld integrity.

I built up a bunch of layers of 6010 resulting in this. Note the lack of slag, although it is still present:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163671&d=1646873264

Tools help at this point, to "pick" the slag out of the areas surrounding the weld.

That's where I'm at now. I'll be putting more 6010 down, and then will "top" it off with another class rod before moving on to another class of rod entirely.

:)

[egchewy79]

are you learning MIG/TIG as well? I'd love to learn and taking a local class makes the most sense.

[JohnK]

Hey Dave - bumping an old thread to see how things went for you through the end of the course. I'm considering seeking out a welding course myself at a local vocational school or community college with the goal of getting good enough to MIG sheetmetal so I can do rusty panel replacements on a future project car. Did you feel like you finished up the course with enough skill to be able confidently tackle a job like that? I very much doubt I'll ever get the point that I can lay down beautiful TIG welds but if I can replace rusty panels that opens up a whole array of of project cars I'd be willing to consider.

-John

[Alan_C]

I considered taking a welding course at a local JC, however when I added up what the cost of two semesters of classes, I decided that the money was better spent on a better welder. I bought a multi-process welder from Cyberweld back in 2017 when welders were far more affordable than today. I bought the multi-process welder so that I could start with MIG and someday work on learning TIG welding. There are tons of YouTube videos available that a novice can get a lot of good information from. A local metal supplier has a scrap bin where you can buy scrap pieces cheap by the pound. I purchased sheet metal from 20 gauge down to 10 gauge (1/8"). My ESAB welder can handle up to 1/4" plate steel.
I am building a completely restomoded 70 Mustang Mach 1. I have had far more use for the welder than I ever thought I would. I have replaced a lot of sheet metal in the last 2 years with some yet to go. For restoration topics from welding to proper application of filler and painting I like the Sylvester's Custom videos on YouTube. When welding thinner metals like 20 gauge sheet metal on a car, keeping the panel cool is critical to prevent warping. The Sylvester's Customs videos series has a video on just this subject.
There is no substitute for practice with welding from machine setup to heat and feed rate. The only way you will get proficient is to weld, first on scrap then the real thing. I started with doing plug welds when replacing some of the panels on my car. Later I graduated to butt welds on 20 gauge sheet metal like my quarter skins. A lot of sheet metal replacement is done with plug welds and they are generally the easiest. Add a copper backer and plug welding is even easier. IMO, skip the classes and buy a better welder. Skip stick and rosin core as they are messy and not very applicable to sheet metal. At a minimum, buy a good budget MIG, like a Hobart, cart, and shielding gas. A lot of supplies can be purchased from Harbor Freight, some good and some just fair. Buy a good pair of welding gloves and a good auto darkening helmet. I did not know how important a GOOD helmet was until I upgraded to a Miller Performance Series with their ClearLight technology. These helmets are not the dark green or gray but are actually clear until you strike an arc. Unfortunately the welders and good helmets have gone up 50% and more since 2017 making a good welding setup a serious investment. The inflation makes skipping classes make more sense as you can put the money where you will get the most use.
Thinking you can go out and buy a cheap HF welder and helmet and go out and make good welds is a waste of money. HF does have better welders available, but they are more like what you would get at Eastwood just a bit cheaper. You can't go wrong with Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, and ESAB. ESAB is like the European equivalent of Miller and Lincoln. Cyberweld has periodic sales where they often bundle the welder with a decent helmet. This is how I got started. The 3M helmet I got in the bundle was OK, but the Miller was much better. The better you can see the better you can weld.
Good luck and I hope I did not sound like I was lecturing, it is just I have been down the road you are considering.

[JohnK]

Thanks for the thoughts Alan. I appreciate it. I agree that a good welder is key to success, as is a ton of practice on scrap. I'm also looking at a multiprocess welder (Miller multimatic 220 AC/DC) to have the flexibility to do MIG and TIG down the road. But my experience in other hobbies has taught me the value of instruction in shortening the steepest part of the learning curve. Yes, I could probably pick up a lot of good tips from Youtube, but I'd likely also pick up a ton of bad habits. There's a community college not too far from me that offers a welding certificate program (https://success.cabrillo.edu/Student/Courses/Search?subjects=W). The first two courses in their certificate program cover basics of arc welding and TIG welding. Each class is one semester and they would cost me a whopping $270. That seems like money well spent to me. I'd likely waste more than $270 in materials and supplies just making dumb beginner mistakes trying to teach myself.

[Alan_C]

Understood, the cost of two classes at my local JC were more like $400 each and no cert when done.
Black Friday is coming, I recommend you create an account to get Cyberweld's ads and hopefully you will find a deal. Here is their latest sale offer for the welder you mentioned.
https://store.cyberweld.com/products/miller-multimatic-220-ac-dc-multi-process-welder-907757
Miller also has their smaller machine on sale if you don't need all the capability of the 220 AC DC model.
https://store.cyberweld.com/products/miller-multimatic-215-multiprocess-welder-907693
Good luck and have fun. If you take the welding courses, please report back and let us know how the classes helped you.

[Alan_C]

I feel very fortunate to have bough my ESAB 6 years ago when their 215 Rebel multi-process welder was $1500 with a free helmet and a $100 rebate from ESAB. Sadly, those days are long gone but it does seem that manufacturers are discounting more now than a year ago.