OK lets talk welding

[abtj04]

i find my self wanting to learn how to do this. from what i have heard it just takes lots of practice. I'm really starting to think about buying a welder. Just have no clue what kind to get. I would like something to work on the Jeep and the trailer, but i have no clue what kind i need...... Stick Tig Mig(I'm not even sure the difference between the last two)

I'm really think about just getting a used one(a starter welder).If its something i find i can do maybe I'll upgrade to a new one. Just not sure what to look for.

What do you guys think?

[Mike]

Do you have a 220v outlet? I have a Miller 175 (mig) that works great.

[RatLabGuy]

Do you live naywhere close to a community college?
IMO, first take an evening con-ed class on ARC or MIG, you'll basically get access to the welder/supplies to use all you want during "class" time. Then once you have a little exposure to it, and know at least what the parts are and what they do, and a better for feel for how you might use it, then you can make a better decision on what kind is better for you.
Don't know about here, but I took 3 different courses as con-ed in NC at $63 each, Arc, MIG, and Oxy-Ace. I'm sure in each case I used more than that cost is supplies alone during teh time, and usedt he time to make stuff for my truck.

[slorocco]

That's actually an excellent suggestion. We have a few folks that did the same thing down here in Southern MD, although the class down here was more like couple hundred. I think they caught on to the actual lab costs.

FWIW, I beleive the MIG is the easiest to just pick up and learn on your own. If you have 220v available get a machine that uses that, it will give you more room to grow. I've been using a 110v machine for a while now, and it's good for quite a bit of stuff but I've had to take some of my heavier projects elswhere or borrow someone elses machine.

[RegularJay]

I second the suggestion on a Community College course. I took both intro and intermediate welding at Harford Community College. I don't recall the cost but the instructor was excellent! He offered to help anyone on his own time if they needed extra assistance to pass a certification test after the class. The course was strictly ARC but you'll be much better with a MIG if you learn ARC first.

[abtj04]

yeah i looked in to the CC its like 500 bucks.... I'm sure if going to do it or not.
So i was talking with guys at work about this and one said i can use the same plug for the dryer for the 220v. is that true?

[mopar]

yep

[RatLabGuy]

yeah i looked in to the CC its like 500 bucks.... I'm sure if going to do it or not.
So i was talking with guys at work about this and one said i can use the same plug for the dryer for the 220v. is that true?

$500? Holy crap. Is that for the full towards-degree/certification course, or just an evening "continuing ed"?
Like I said I did this in NC... but most CCs have 2 diferent kinds of classes. The ones that work towards a career are really intense, and well, you pay alot more for them. What I'm talking about is a simple "just one night a week" deal, so only like 8-10 sessions total, intended for everyday working folks that want to learn something new and do something at night.
At the NC CCs, these are in a different catalog, and include things like "cake baking", "using computers for business", "ballroom dancing", "basic carpentry", etc.
Not a single person in my class had a career in hands-on material stuff; 1-2 guys were doing it to consider doing to full-out welding certs program but wanted to try first.

[RatLabGuy]

Holy crap I just looked it up at HCC, yep $325 tuition, $100 fee.
That's rediculous, WTF do the high taxes here pay for?
I paid that much for a whole semester of college at App State.

BUT - looks like MD Nat'l Guard members and their dependents get a 50% discount on non-credit courses...

[abtj04]

BUT - looks like MD Nat'l Guard members and their dependents get a 50% discount on non-credit courses...

is that for Active duty too? cuase if that's the case i'll try HCC.


but yeah AAcc wants 600+ for a welding

[dan58]

Speaking of welding:
http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

[Z28YJ]

:eek: