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Thread: Need advice learning to weld
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2nd September 2013, 08:05 PM #1Senior Member
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Need advice learning to weld
G'day guys,
I was wondering is it possible to teach myself to weld. I already know how to mig quite neatly and cleanly, but i want to learn stick and tig. I have applied and paid for 4 tafe courses so far and all of them have been canceled a week before, due to some stupid reason.
I'm thinking that if i was going to pay $600 to learn, i may as well buy a stick and scratch tig combo and just start welding.
Is this theory sound? Also any suggestions on a machine <$500. Im thinking one from H&F but any comments?
Thanks guys
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2nd September 2013, 09:00 PM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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Do you need a qualification? Is this a hobby or will you be welding for a job? Are you going to be making things that people will rely on in terms of safety?
If just for hobby - a lot of people teach themselves and you've got a head start if you already know how to MIG. youtube is your friend - my suggestion is start with weldingtipsandtricks.
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2nd September 2013, 09:10 PM #3SENIOR MEMBER
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It's a shame the TAFE option isn't a goer - by far the best way to go if you can. Dunno about TIG, but to get started in stick a BOC Smootharc 130 will get you going on stick for $230 or thereabouts. Then try and track down videos by this guy: Arc Welding 1 DVD - there's a short clip from a latter video here: Arc Welding 2 | Butt Joints | Welding Rods - YouTube the guy makes by far the best videos I've seen.
Edit: Here's an excerpt from the introductory part of the first DVD: Arc Welding tutorial ( en ingles ) - YouTube
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2nd September 2013, 10:18 PM #4Senior Member
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2nd September 2013, 10:21 PM #5Senior Member
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2nd September 2013, 10:51 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
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In regards to the TAFE course I would wait for a while till they get going. If that is not an option, find some kind member on here who knows what they are doing to lend you a guiding hand. Trying to teach yourself, you end up picking up bad habits that are hard to break. It will take a lot longer to learn to undo the bad habits. DAMHIKT. Been there done that.
With the welder try to get the best that you can afford, there is no point in buying the first that comes along, only to find that parts/service are not available.
Try different units, they are not all the same. Do you plan on welding steel only or aluminium as well, as this will require a welder with AC/DC polarity, doubting very much anything under $800 as a complete unit. A quality tig torch only is around $200.00. Remember to get one that spares/consumables are readily available, not something that has to be ordered in from Fuziwuzi Land and has a 6 month wait.
Kryn
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3rd September 2013, 08:52 PM #7
Welcome to the world of welding steamjunkprops!
There's not a lot wrong with buying a welder and having a go yourself.
In the past there's been more than a few who have done so, right here in this forum. If you are welding already in your unofficial apprenticeship ,that's all the better.
If you have a reasonable camera that you can take macros with,then you can post the photos of your welds here.There are plenty of us who will be able to advise and assist you.That's a way better student to instructor ratio than Tafe and far cheaper for you too.
As was mentioned you need to work out how far you want to get in as what level of welding do you aspire to. Tafe these days seems to qualify new welder to AS 2980. I do have access to a copy so I can refer to it for you.
If you are near Wyong, drop in on Token tools as he is an Aussie owned and operated business that sells welders of his own design and offers a 5 year warranty on them. He can deal with warranty work as he has staff employed to do that.There seems to be specials at the moment so that's another good reason to have a look. This bloke has a good reputation here and quite a few forum members have a good opinion of him.
Lastly if you are going to weld get your self a decent brand auto shading welding shield.Not a cheap one but a good brand.
Given that you have a reasonable brain and have the application its entirely possible to get you up to a good standard in about the same time as your $600 Tafe course. With the amount of expertise in this forum you can't go far wrong
I can say this as an ex metalfab welding teacher more than a decade of experience so you should be able start with a bit of confidence
Grahame
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3rd September 2013, 09:12 PM #8.
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I know what you mean about lessons being cancelled The same thing happened to me with some blacksmithing classes and it took 3 goes before enough students could be rounded up to start the classes.
Eeven if you already know how to weld, for a skill like welding lessons can be really useful because a good teacher will pick up problems you will be completely unaware of. Maybe you should think about offering half that to a local welder for a few lessons?
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3rd September 2013, 09:13 PM #9Senior Member
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Anyone in western sydney willing to teach an eager young teen?
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5th September 2013, 11:26 AM #10GOLD MEMBER
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I would echo what has been said regarding TAFE, it's brilliant, although not as good since the bean counters took over, due to minimum course numbers etc etc etc, as you have found out.
One query though. I noticed you are the "unofficial apprentice trainee model maker". If this is your job, then surely your employer would be better off, (you as well), to arrange some accredited training. Obviously TAFE would fit the bill. I'm just thinking long term and also from a legal liability perspective for you but primarily for your employer.
Which ever way it goes good luck.
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