I want to make a dueling tree for Christmas, but need to be able to weld.
There are classes occasionally. MIG and TIG. Probably every few months or so? Maybe sweet talk the metal shop into offering them? People are pretty good about offering classes if you pester them enough!
I’m thinking of giving a class in the next couple weeks.
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Was talking to one of our professional welders on Monday about giving some more advanced classes. These would focus on developing the various skills needed needed to actually “do welding” after you’ve practiced some. Weld prep, multi-pass welds, vertical and overhead not just horizontal, different types of alloys, stitching, tubing etc. Oh and some additional classes, I was wanting more advanced skills available (my overhead skills result in raining molten metal on me).
Still working on him. But as Tim stated there will be more.
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Some of those skills/concepts should be understood before even trying to do your first MIG welds.
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You know what, once you know how to safely setup the welder and understand the what to do, you just need to frickin weld, run some beads, practice, watch YouTube vids and weld some more. The ONLY way to learn how to weld is to weld! The advanced classes are fine, but there is no substitution, but to go run beads. Practical experience is what is needed. For instance, a class on building a 3rd arm, where everybody builds their own. Or build a bench with iron legs and wood seats, etc…
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I would definitely participate in upcoming classes, basic and then advanced. I had a Millermatic 250 MIG that I used (mediocrely) for years before I finally sold it. Would love to check out on MIG for small projects and begin to learn TIG.
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I have to agree with you Owen. It takes a lot of practice. My arc welding skills used to be good. Now I’m not so sure. That’s how I started was in arc. Now I MIG more than stick. My skills are probably a little rusty.
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After taking the welding class it appears to me that 90% of welding is having properly fitted parts, 5% welding setup and 5% hot metal work.
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I need to weld a piece together, I am making my brothers a dueling tree for christmas, I hope you will help me with the basics, I welded a few times in highschool trade school class. Will you be available anytime in the next 2 weeks?
Would anyone help me? I would also like to film the process of welding the tree together and post it on social media.
Do you happen to have a picture or illustration of what you would like to make?
What is a dueling tree?
This is a duelling tree, I already have the paddles, I just need to make the base.
http://www.letargets.com/content/at-101-pt-dueling-tree-standard.asp
Everyone needs to learn how to “drive stick” before hopping on the MIG. You learn a lot of skill from having a simple, nearly indestructible setup which requires attention to arc distance, speed, manipulation/pattern, etc.
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This is one of the best videos I’ve seen to teach practical stick welding.
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What type of welding should I use? Can I just try it myself in there?
1st question: Are you a member? Perhaps I missed this answer, but you can’t use our machines without being a member.
2nd question: Have you taken the Welding Safety course from @LeeCJones?
If you’ve never welded before, then my recommendation would be to use the stick welder and run a few hours of practice welds before trying it out on the real item. Disadvantages: you’ll need to learn how to strike the arc, hold proper distance and travel speed, etc. Advantages: Stick welding is very forgiving to beginners as you can’t hurt the machine and the rods are consumable anyway, you’ll learn techniques needed for more advanced welding methods, and these machines are cheap and can be used even out in a windy field.
Once you have stick (officially named SMAW) mastered, then take the MIG class to learn how to do that. This process requires more care to set up the machine and avoid damaging it, but the welding is a bit less physically demanding and, for some, seems easier than stick.
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I am a member, but haven’t taken the safety course, so you think I should do MIG wedling then?
@zmetzing - excellent recommendation on this stick welding video! I prefer stick welding and this video will (hopefully) help me to make welds that are less ugly.
Lee has some welding classes up for Monday and Tuesday. The most important class is the Intro to Welding Processes and Safety.
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will you be having a class this week?