Welding for Novices

[Amorrisman]

All,

Have recently discovered today what has now become a large hole in the bottom of my car due to rust. Its at the rear near the spring. Realise that I will have to get it repaired by a pro which I resent. But looking ahead, is welding achieveable for someone with no background in mechanics who is willing to learn? Not sure an offical course is an option, have researched and those in the local area are run by a college, but for the price I'd be best off paying someone else. Due to shift work I also find attending regular sessions difficult.
Advice welcome!

Regards
Chris

[Monty-4]

I can't offer much advice as I'm in a similar position, learning many mechanical jobs and resenting paying other folks to fix my car if it needs welding. I've been asking around and have been told everything from "I could teach you MIG in half an hour" to "oh no that'll take you years".

I think the way to go is to find a friend/branch-member with know how, get a kit, get a load of scrap metal, and practice!

[panky]

There are tuition videos around, try you tube. But there's nothing like being shown 'in real life'. You can self teach (I did) but the real secret is practice and preparation.

[Trickydicky]

There are plenty of tutorials online, http://www.mig-welding.co.uk is a excellent site for tips and videos. It's not difficult to teach yourself, you just need to take the plunge,pick up a decent machine and practice

[Amorrisman]

Cheers guys. I may look into it! I too have been told "its something best left for the professionals". Being told that just makes me want to try it even more.
Do all decent-ish kits cost in the region of £500? I've just had a look, didnt realise similar questions had been posted on here already and noticed that suggested machines have been similar prices.

Thanks all.

[panky]

It all depends on how much you're going to use it but then again £500 doesn't go very far if you're paying a professional to do the work for you, you could do the work yourself and have a free welder )and a new skill) at the end of it
May be worth looking at local colleges for night school classes to see if have the knack.

[Amorrisman]

Safe to say I'm not looking forward to recieving this quote.
Thanks again Panky

[amgrave]

The difference in prices of welding sets boils down to this. As you have to learn how to weld, a £500+ machine will make it a lot easier as it will give good welds. A £300 machine will weld as good but you have to have some welding experience to get the best out of it. A £150 machine will challenge even a seasoned welder. To give yourself a decent chance to learn welding you need to splash out for a £500 welder using Argoshield or equivalent shielding gas which is for thin sheet steel and a good face mask. Oh and a steady hand is good too. It sounds a lot but with practice you "will" get good welds and if do a bit for others you might even get some of the money back in time. Good luck to you.

[Redmoggy]

Well worth looking into the different types of welded joint that you will need to replicate whilst welding up your Minor. In particular 'Plug' welding as this is one of the harder to master. Also while practising remember to use a weld through primer so you can experience the slight difference.

Before jumping into welding up any car, as well as being competent with a welder you also need to understand how you car is constructed and how the work you carry out might effect the rest of the structure.

Once you are capable of doing so it is a very rewarding process and not beyond anyone who is willing to take the time to learn.

Good Luck
Rod

[MrIan]

Well when I needed to weld I just went and bought a welder n had a go. Yes ok first welds were maybe strong but ugly but I honestly got the hang of it quite quickly. Get a good auto dimming mask to save a lot of miss strikes and welding where you don't want to !!!!!
You'll get used to the sight and sound of good welding.
Search for videos on the internet that go through the different joints and explain how to weld without distortion.
This is a great site - http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/

If it all goes wrong you'd be able to sell the welder on then bite the bullet n pay up to get the car repaired but honestly with a little time a practice you'll get MOT passable repairs (if you're not happy with them mind you you can always do them again when welding improves)

Have a go

[Matt]

I can strongly recomment a snap on/cebora turbomig 130...

I've had a few welders in the past and this is definately a good one. When I learnt I got to having passable welds in a few weeks and very good welds shorly after.

I have also had inverter welders recommended to me one in particular sold by tigmig europe (search inverter welder duty cycle 60 on ebay)