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GREAT! we ALL START THAT WAY! and it HELPS to PRACTICE, so dive right in, but if you get a chance at getting some experienced welder to give you some tips and hands on training JUMP ON THE CHANCE!
Ive always felt that the brand name welder manufacturers should have made short ,very low cost classes on how to use their equipment available, at most dealers when you buy their equipment, because nothing sells welders as fast as having a buddy show you how well his new welder works.
and the one thing that keeps guys from BUYING a decent welder is not the cost because we all know that if you want something badly enough and its cost is less than a months pay, you'll eventually find a way to afford it!,But with most guys Ive talked with, its the idea that you'll spend the money and not be able to use the equipment, or use it often enough to justify its cost, but once they get some quality instruction it opens up a whole new world, and projects you've never dreamed of doing before start to look possible.
before you own a welder, you buy things like car trailers, welding tables, exhaust systems,accessory brackets,oil pans,traction bars,fence gates, etc. but once you own one you buy steel, aluminum,axles and detailed construction plans, and BUILD stuff better than you could buy,and to YOUR specifications
almost every guy I know that owns a welder bought that welder only after a buddy showed him how easy his welder was to use and how making things was not MAGIC but something almost anyone can do!
besides, theres a great deal of satisfaction in building your own custom oil pans,exhaust systems, accessory brackets or suspension components
TIG WELDERS generally cost a bit more, but once the skills mastered it is, at least in my opinion far superior, but noticeably slower than MIG welding
MIG welders are a bit less expensive but easier to learn on and use but not as versatile or precise
Cut Me Some Slag: Choosing Between MIG and TIG WeldersFROM SUMMIT RACING
As gearheads, we spend our fair share of time contemplating the important things: Ford vs. Chevy, carb’ed vs. fuel injected, skulls vs. flames. But if you’re shopping for a welder, there’s one brainteaser that trumps them all: MIG or TIG?
Whether you’re restoring a classic or prepping your car for the track, chances are good that you’ll need a welder along the way. But before you start stitching together body panels, fabricating custom brackets, or installing a one-off roll cage, you’ll need to pick a welder that’s right for you. Luckily, choosing the right welder is as simple as knowing what materials you’ll be working with and how much welding experience you have.
MIG (metal inert gas) welders are a good choice for beginners. They work by feeding a consumable wire electrode and a shielding gas—most commonly argon—through the welding gun and onto the surface to be welded. The wire acts as a filler metal and the gas protects the fresh weld from contamination as it cools.
MIG welders are capable of making strong, clean welds in a single pass but run the risk of creating spatter that’ll require some cleanup after you’re finished. Think of it as a hot glue gun for metal.
A portable 115V MIG welder can operate off of household current and can handle most metals up to 1/8" thick. For metals up to 5/8" thick, a 230V welder is the best choice. Due to temperature constraints, cast iron and aluminum should not be welded with a MIG welder.
For more tips on MIG welding, check out our in-depth tech article, Melding Metal.
TIG (tungsten inert gas) welders can produce a precise weld on any metal, although they’re generally slower and require more experience than a MIG welder. They heat the welding surface with an electric arc produced by a tungsten electrode. Unlike a MIG welder, they don’t require a filler metal, although it can be added by hand if needed. This produces a high-quality weld, free of spatter and smoke.
TIG welding offers an extremely hot, yet precise spark making it ideal for welding magnesium, aluminum, and stainless steel, as well as very thin materials. Just like a MIG welder, the TIG welding gun emits a shielding gas to keep the fresh weld clean.
And remember, whichever welder you choose, always be sure to use the proper safety precautions and equipment, including a helmet, gloves, apron, and blanket
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" IF YOU CAN,T SMOKE THE TIRES AT WILL,FROM A 60 MPH ROLLING START YOUR ENGINE NEEDS MORE WORK!!"!
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