Practicing MIG (lots of newbie questions inside)

What is the best way to get confident with mig and make some half decent welds?

I know the obvious answer is just start welding some scrap together and go from there.

But Being completely new to metal work I unfortunately have no scrap lying around whatsoever. Should I head down to bunnings and grab some stuff? What should I get?

Also because I have never really done much metalwork at all the only cutting tool I have is a 115mm grinder for now so I won’t be doing anything precise until I get a decent saw. I Am looking at getting a cold cut saw or band saw very soon (What would be better? The first projects I’ll be tackling is building some work benches for the shed and a welding table.)

Should add that my welder is a Unimig Viper 185 (so I probably won’t be welding anything over 6mm with this machine from what I’ve read). I have a size D argon/co2 cylinder and have 0.8mm mild steel wire in the machine.

I will have a heap more questions I’m sure and will provide pics of me very substandard beginner welds soon 😂


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