How difficult is welding to learn/do?

Question

I'd like to do a few things around the house and to my RV, but I have no knowledge, is there a propane-torch level of welding that's strong? Meaning, do you have to invest in a lot of equipment and intense learning or can it be simple? Thanks.

Answer 1

Sorry - no propane torch welding!

You can pretty much choose between Oxygen-Acetylene gas welding and electric arc welding. You won't learn to do either of these from a Vo-Tech school. Most Vo-Tech schools have gone to teaching only tig and mig welding.

Oxygen-Acetylene welding uses a torch connected to a regulator which allows you to control the mix of oxygen and acetylene. This regulator is attached to an oxygen tank and an acetylene tank.

Arc welding is done with an electric arc welder. See http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/training/weldschool/
https://ssl.lincolnelectric.com/foundation/
and http://www.lincolnelectric.com for more information.

The best way to learn about welding is to look at welding magazines...
http://www.weldingmag.com
http://www.welding-and-cutting.info
http://www.penton.com
as well as welding books at you library.

If you just need a few things welded, it might be advisable to find a welder. If there are several projects you have in mind, or would like to weld as a hobby, I would find a local farmer or welder to teach you. They can help get you set up in welding.

If you have a place to do it, I would think one could do pretty well making things to sell. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/community/projects/
Just working a Saturday a week would help pay for your welding equipment!

Here's some further reading...
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1981-11-01/Weld-It-Yourself-and-Make-a-Few-Bucks-To-Boot.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1975-01-01/Homestead-Welding.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/2007-02-01/Meld-Metals-with-Welding-and-Brazing.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1986-07-01/Learn-How-To-Weld-By-Welding.aspx

Check out numerous projects at http://www.motherearthnews.com/ - just type weld or welding in the search box.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Answer 2

Around the house, a MIG welder is the best all-around welder. Stick welders are hard to use on small, thin metal. You can get 110 volt MIG welders and flux core wire so you do not need gas. Acetylene welding and brazing is relatively easy after you get used to it and have the proper torch tip for the metal thickness. Practice is the key to getting better. A shop course is a great way to start off doing it right. I love the people who say "If you can write, you can MIG weld". The only truth to that is "some people write awful sloppy".

Answer 3

you would be wise to either take a brief course at the area trade school or pay someone at a small welding shop to teach you the basics and help select the appropriate machine. admit you know nothing and why learn the hard way. only hardheads learn the hard way.

i learned basic welding on the job. pipefitters helper. he showed me once and handed me the gear to go practice out of the way for a couple of hours. a little help a couple of times. and i could manage. then i kept getting better. but i never became are real welder who has to know a lot for all sorts of differnet situations and metals and different rods and settings on the machines. how much do you wnat to know?

Answer 4

If you just need to weld metal, eg. wrought iron, etc... you need a good mig welder they cost from 400 to 600.00. You use spools of interflux wire you dont need any type of gas to run it. It has good strength, easy to run and handle. The heat is easy to control. It takes practice on scrap metal such as plates or scrap from a salvage store. You need a welding hood and good leather gloves. Propane is very hot and you need a lot of practice. the mig is easier to learn and easier to handle. It only requires about a 110 circuit.

Answer 5

no you will probably need to arc weld. its hard at first but you get the hang of it