Where to learn basics of welding

When I bought my 180 lincoln I thought I was getting a good all around machine. Well, I wouldn't want to weld a frame with it. Even though it's 220 volt it still spits out a nice looking cold weld. You either have to preheat with a torch or multiple passes allowing the first pass to heat the metal. I have always been dissapointed with that machine. Works good on sheet metal. Not enough juice for 1/8 and more in my opinion. Sure it can work but it isn't safe to me.

My 250 takes over and does a nice job on 1/8" and thicker but it sucks on sheet metal.

Theres almost 3 grand in two welders that are very limiting for resto. Fab work is different but I can gas weld most everything the others can do and a lot more. Plus I have a cut off torch, silver solder and brazing capabilities. I'm probably in a different boat than most as enjoy restoring cars that don't have a catalog full of parts.

I was stick welding when I was 12 years old on the farm but in college we learned gas welding first. Just learning to push a puddle helps on all types of welding. Have you checked a local community college or trade school for welding classes? You can learn a lot from those places.
 
gas welding

gas weld on 18 ga sheetmetal using meco midget torch. plus you can shrink ,aneal, temper,solder,braze, heat and cut in places no other tool can.
there is a time and place for every type of welding.Knowing when and why is the part that takes experience.
my torch is so handy it is unbelieveable. 2012-04-06_18-13-44_256.jpg
 
It sounds like welding can become an addictive and expensive hobby! I'm going to have to check with Mama and see what she'll let me spend. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again for all the advice. I think I'll probably start with a basic flux core 110 mig to see if I have an eye for it and then decide if getting some training is warranted. :)
 
It's a shame most schools aren't teaching gas welding anymore-it should be the first style of welding anyone should learn. The only kind of welding that can be done without electricity. I have a 210 Hobart that handles most of my work, a craftsman buzzbox if I ever need to do thicker than 1/2", but every now and then the torch is still used if the application is right.
 
Good point shine, although I do it all the time when tig welding, mig is another matter. He said several times in the video that he's not perfect, and maybe that proves it, but he sure knows a lot about welding.
 
i was teasing arrowheads son in the picture . it is a painful lesson to learn . i learned it the hard way with a stick many years ago . took a month to heal up. there's a reason welders wear levi shirts in the summer. and wearing tennis shoes is just as bad. you can never get it off fast enough .
i didn't watch the video .
 
Ha! I have had a hot foot and that's one dance you don't forget.... I learned gas welding in 8th grade shop. Poor mans tig and like mentioned earlier you don't need electricity. Try repairing a refrigeration line with a mig. BTW I have all but TIG. Bottom line considering the thread name know your machine settings and understand how to set for your app and what to listen for esp mig. Next lots of practice and learn how to watch the puddle. Learn through hands on test pieces with different thickness. I didn't watch the video either I knew exactly what you meant shine...
 
Ha, last time I mig welded in a t-shirt my arms had so many mini burns it looked like they could be needle tracks! Not good at all lol
Sometimes you can get away with it depending on the position you are in.
 
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