welding

[RwEny]

I was wondering if there is a good book or CD for beginning
welders. I have messed around with welders some. My stick welding looks like bird st-- on a fence post. I would like to learn to weld good enough for stuff on my hobby farm.
Thanks Ralph

 

[Old allen]

try a vo-ag school in your area, they usually have classes

 

[Chilidawg]

You might also try a nearby community college. The one near me offers a welding program.

 

[Fawteen]

I took an Adult Ed class through my local high
school.

 

[Dick L]

Lanse had some youtube videos that seemed like they would help someone get a start.
Check Here

 

[Pooh Bear]

Practice, practice, practice......

http://www.waybuilder.net/free-ed/Courses/05 Building and Contruction/050205 Welding/Welding00.asp

 

[Pitalplace]

The Welding forums have a lot of information. Also the welder sites have a resource area, Miller welder site has a lot of information.

 

[big a]

Don't overlook YouTube videos. Lots of good tutorials on there.

 

[Bob]

I haven"t looked lately, but Hobart has had LOTS of instruction stuff on their website.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Richard Finch has written several <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=richard%20finch%20welding&sprefix=richard+finch%2Caps%2C257">books on welding</a>, the most well-known being his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Welders-Handbook-RevisedHP1513-Cutting-Oxyacetylene/dp/1557885133/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1402460167&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+finch+welding">Welder's Handbook</a>. I'd start there.

If you want something that goes more in depth, a textbook commonly used in college programs is Larry Jeffus's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Welding-Principles-Applications-Larry-Jeffus/dp/1111039178/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402460692&sr=8-1&keywords=jeffus+welding">Welding: Principles and Applications</a>. It's very expensive, but you can find an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jeffus%20welding">older edition</a> for a reasonable price.

If your local community college offers welding courses, they are well worth their cost.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I second the Welder's Handbook. That's what our instructor from the vocational school used for a text in our adult ed class at the local high school. Lots of helpful information in there.

 

[mkirsch]

In all the welding tutorials I've watched, and any of the welding instruction I've received, they say "watch the puddle" but they never say what to watch FOR!!!

The one thing that improved my welding tremendously was finally figuring out what to look for in "the puddle."

As you move on to an un-welded area, the weld metal will pile up in a bubble. All of a sudden, it will go "BWIP" and turn concave on you. That's when it's time to move on.

It can happen in the matter of a split second, so you have to have a good view and you have to concentrate.

You can also miss the "BWIP" and then the metal will start piling up on you again. It will look like you're going too fast, and you'll keep slowing down, and it will keep getting worse.

That's what works for me, and how I describe it.

 

[Hogleg]

www dot smartflix dot com

 

[dr sportster]

Hobart Welding Guide-- It will help you select the best rod for the job and explain the AWS numbering system . I covers almost all processes. Not much on pictures but heavy on information with lots of charts for referrence.Good to keep right at your welder..

 

[JRSutton]

Lots of good videos on youtube.

I'm not a pro welder, but I've gotten good enough to avoid paying one every time I need something welded.

Best advice I can give is that good welds come from being able to see what you're doing.

Get a good helmet with the proper shade level.

Auto darkening helps enormously - lets you focus on the important skills. And minimizes time between hard starts, stuck rods, etc., and that minimizes frustration.

I also like variable shade to adjust to different situations - and between mig and stick welding.

A pro welder can probably weld cicles around me with their eyes closed just going on feel and sound - but for an amateur, I'd say it's ALL about being able to see what you're doing.

You'll never move a puddle if you can't see the puddle.

Too dark, you can see what you're doing, but can't see where you're going.

Too light you can see where you're going, but not what you're doing.

You need to be right in between.

My welds were all bird S too, then one day just for kicks, I put a pair of sunglasses on behind the mask I had - and could suddenly see what I was doing. On that day, I took a quantum leap in welding ability.

I wouldn't recommend sunglasses - just get an adjustable helmet if you don't have one.

 

[Eldo case]

For all welding this site is one of the best! He knows his stuff!

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/stick-welding.html

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

There are two parts to being good at welding---technique, and knowledge. A good welding book, such as the ones suggested by MarkB may be the best resource for getting the knowledge you'll need to do the right kind of welding for the situation, but nothing beats the on-the-spot feedback of an instructor for improving your skill. As others have said, an adult ed course at a local high school, community college, or voc-tech will be the fastest and least expensive way to learn to do it right.

Stan