Anyone reccomend a book on how to weld
03-09-2004, 04:18 PM
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Anyone reccomend a book on how to weld
I would like to get a MIG welder to do some simple aluminum, stainless, and steel welding. Can anyone reccomend a book, or even better a video, on how to weld? Just the basic stuff.
Gary
Gary
03-09-2004, 04:57 PM
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Tough to learn how from a book. Aluminum doesn't weld very well with a mig welder. Pulsed arc is best for aluminum wire, or TIG. Stainless would work, tho, with proper gas, but TIG is also better for it. Don't buy a cheap little mig welder, as the duty cycle is too low.
03-09-2004, 05:16 PM
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If you get a MIG, get one that runs on 220V. If you want to do much with aluminum, I'd recommend a TIG machine, but they are more expensive that a MIG.
I'd recommend HP Books Metal Fabricators Handbook, and Weldor's Handbook.
I've been welding for nearly 20 years (racecars, etc.) and both were helpful to me early on.
-Steve
I'd recommend HP Books Metal Fabricators Handbook, and Weldor's Handbook.
I've been welding for nearly 20 years (racecars, etc.) and both were helpful to me early on.
-Steve
03-09-2004, 05:32 PM
#4
Aluminum is not so easy for the occasional welder. It requires much more accurate hand dexterity than the other metals. Everytime I have to weld aluminum (maybe once a year a best) I have to practice with scrap for a while to get back in the groove so to speak. Personally, Mig is Ok for production welding but for non-production welding I prefer stick (arc) or TIG.
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03-09-2004, 10:25 PM
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In order to weld aluminum with a mig gun you will need a spool gun as the push type spool mounted on the welder will foul constantly. A spool gun pulls the wire from a smaller spool mounted on the handle.
Good luck
Good luck
03-09-2004, 10:31 PM
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Stick with a brand name unit. Miller is really good. Lincoln is OK. Run from the foreign crap. Try to get a 220v one. The 110v models, while nice and portable are too small to be serious. While, they will weld 10g, it'll take a day and forever and you'll have poor penetration. A 220v 250amp mig welder is a very serious unit. It'll weld 1/4" all day and then some. The best way to learn is to take a course at the local tech school. It's really easy to lay a bead that looks great but has no strength.
03-10-2004, 08:35 AM
#8
Originally posted by Cord
It's really easy to lay a bead that looks great but has no strength.
It's really easy to lay a bead that looks great but has no strength.
03-10-2004, 09:12 AM
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Originally posted by WILDTHING TAZ
MUCH EASIER TO LOOK IN YELLOW PAGES AND FIND A WELDER THAT CAN DO THE JOB. SPEND YOUR EXTRA TIME BOATING.
MUCH EASIER TO LOOK IN YELLOW PAGES AND FIND A WELDER THAT CAN DO THE JOB. SPEND YOUR EXTRA TIME BOATING.
I just dont see me having enough time to take a course at a tech school.
Already planned on a 220 for the higher duty cycle. I'll look into the TIGs.
Thanks.
