Learning to weld - where to start?

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

A pro once told me to use stainless rods as they are easier for DIYers. Can u remember who that was AJ120?

Make sure you start out with thicker steel as its easy for newbies. Then try the same thing with 1-2mm steel and youll blow a hole. Also, an auto welding helmet/lens is a must have!

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Make sure you start out with thicker steel as its easy for newbies. Then try the same thing with 1-2mm steel and youll blow a hole. Also, an auto welding helmet/lens is a must have!

Definitely agree with those two statements Also, when you have practiced on various thickness materials and are ready for your first 'real' project, get some similar thickness/type materials to try first to get your settings right - might save you from blowing holes

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

A pro once told me to use stainless rods as they are easier for DIYers. Can u remember who that was AJ120?

Make sure you start out with thicker steel as its easy for newbies. Then try the same thing with 1-2mm steel and youll blow a hole. Also, an auto welding helmet/lens is a must have!

My suggestion of using stainless rods was in relation to battery welding for bush repairs. Obviously you cant carry a dozen different types of rods to weld whatever particular item needs repairing in the bush. Stainless rods will weld pretty much anything and are easy to use, so a good "all round" rod in case you need to weld a spring or a stub, but also will work on mild steel. They do have their drawbacks for general welding least of which is not cost, other issues as well so for home use maybe not the way I would go.

I hate low hydrodgen rods, fortunately I no longer work where I am likely to need to use them (arc any stick for that matter) good rods but a bit harder to restart the arc, especially for a beginner.

Likely you are going to only be welding mild steel, so general purpose rods will be fine, especially to practice with before you start building anything. BOC put out a good booklet with all different types of rods and wires and fillers that might be useful to grab a copy of, they probably have similar on their website.

Auto dark helmets are great but I have only started using them in the last year or so, the old fashion helmet work fine and is much cheaper to kick of with.

Cheers Andrew

[BrettM Member Find all posts View Profile Close BrettM]

The only time I could think of that you might need to worry about the type of electrode is if your going to weld cast iron or stainless steel. I have never used GPs I learnt to weld using low hydrogen rods and to start the arc up again is easy if you drag the tip on the concrete to clean the slag of the tip or use some pliers.
When you decide to buy a welding machine don't go to Bunnings, try a welding shop or look for a second hand Lincoln or Kemppi. As others have said the cheap machines will cause you lots of grief. Cheers Brett

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

hi declan , im gonna chuck 2 cents in on behalf of the non professional , complete moron welders out here . i have a 205amp stick welder , had it for 10 years , use it to weld teeth on my earthmoving buckets , because i find it useless for anything other than blowing large holes in what used to be good bits of metal . recently i borrowed a mates little gasless mig to build my rocksliders and thought while i was stringing together lovely welds , hey this is piss easy how long has this been going on , i gotta get me one of these welding type thingys . a stick welder is " great " fun when you melt everything you want to weld . here's the best idiot tip i can give you . if you buy a stick welder , for gods sake buy an auto darkening helmet . there's nothing like holding a 10 inch long rod near where your weld WAS to be and fliping the lid down and striking an arc 3 inches away on something else while your shaking . here's the second best tip , have a beer before you start , and relax , it works for amateurs . these pro guys can do this stuff in their sleep . cheers . stuart

[Sako85 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sako85]

Hi Declan,

might as well cuck my 2c in. I used to a fair bit of welding, only stick and MIG though. Everyone is on the money with the advise given. I watched a few of this guys videoswhen I bought a new MIG a few years ago after not welding for quite a few years. was a good refresher. Better to start at part 2 unless you have no experience

If you stop doing it you get out of practice very quickly.

Someone early on said buy a Lincoln 180c, That is exactly what I bought and it has been faultless the few years I have had it and welds better than any welder I have used in the past. I haven't used stick for a few years now and don't see myself using it anytime soon. It is good for the thick, and not much else. I don't do much over 8mm and the Mig can handle it with multiple passes anyway. I haven't bothered with gasless with this welder. It can do it, but have had bad experience in the past with crappy looking weak welds and spatter everywhere. So I have not even opened the roll. The bottle costs me $80 per year and $70 per refill. I have 2 botles, one 80/20 and one 100% argon.