Welding

[DylBandit]

Just wanted to make a thread about welding because that's what I'm currently doing in college. So far, it's really fun and I'm still new to it, but I'm adapting to it pretty rapidly. Currently, my favorite welding method as of right now is MIG or (Gas Metal Arc Welding)/(Metal Insert Gas). It's really fun and the most easiest to learn in my opinion because it's more point and shoot. The most challenging part about MIG in my opinion is trying to dial in the correct settings and find the sweet spot adjusting voltage and wire speed.

 

I'm also taking classes in Metal Fabrication and Oxy-Acetylene which is also going really well. In Metal Fabrication, we are currently making fishing lures and making roses out of sheet metal. I'm really interested in the art side of welding just because of the potential there is when creating something. As for my Oxy-Acetylene class, we are currently learning how to use the filler rod and puddle control which is a bit challenging but still fun at the same time. 

 

If you are a welder and you have welded before, I would like you to share your experiences and maybe share some photos of what you made!

[Kean_1]

I bought a Miller MIG welder (Millermatic 140) several years ago.  I use it for stuff around the house/property and to fabricate small items.  My intention was to start fabricating craft items like horseshoe wine racks after retiring.  I built a prototype but haven't really started making anymore.  My goal is to make several this Summer and see how they sell.  

My previous experience was all in high school over 30 years ago so my skills are pretty basic to say the least.  I'm still running flux core since I'm not doing enough to warrant a gas set up in my garage (although my 140 unit is able to).  Flux core can be a little messy and annoying but it works.

[Kormath]

i've welded in the past, years ago.  My first welding experience was burning my eyes when i was 7 or 8 watching my grandpa weld on his logging truck trailer.  not a fun experience.  

So then after that my grandpa taught me how to arc weld, with a helmet  and the basic safety stuff with welding, like not watching an arc with bare eyes.  In high school we had a vo-ag class that we did a semester of welding.  I was top of that class in arc welding but i couldn't "torch weld" whatever the proper name for welding with the cutting torch is, to save my hide.  I wasn't bad with the wire feed welder, but not really good either.

One of the things we did in the vo-ag class was make flatbed's for the farmers to put on their trucks.  I had to weld the seam on the bed of the truck where it meets the backstop that protects the cab.  Welds looked beautiful, best i'd ever done with the wirefeed, then the instructor took the hammer to test and just tapped my center weld.  It popped, then they all popped and the diamond plate sheet went crashing down to the floor lol.  I was so happy with my welds for about 2 minutes.

I tried mig and tig welding when i worked at a Conagra Foods (was called something else back then, Lamb Weston i believe) processing plant.  the last 2 years i was there, 2001-2003 i was an operator of the big machine that wrapped the cases of goods on the pallets.  Also did maintenance on this machine and all the conveyor belts and systems feeding it.  They wanted me to weld back then, so i did arc welding, until the maintenance crew came by and said no you have to use a mig or tig for that, something to do with osha back then and the arc welder on a food line.  Never could get the hang of the gas welding. So anytime we needed welding done we had to call maintenance.

[DylBandit]

10 hours ago, Kean_1 said:

I bought a Miller MIG welder (Millermatic 140) several years ago.  I use it for stuff around the house/property and to fabricate small items.  My intention was to start fabricating craft items like horseshoe wine racks after retiring.  I built a prototype but haven't really started making anymore.  My goal is to make several this Summer and see how they sell.  

My previous experience was all in high school over 30 years ago so my skills are pretty basic to say the least.  I'm still running flux core since I'm not doing enough to warrant a gas set up in my garage (although my 140 unit is able to).  Flux core can be a little messy and annoying but it works.

Yeah you should definitely do it, I'm currently in college and doing welding as a career. I'm not in Flux core yet but yes it's very messy. 

 

10 hours ago, Kormath said:

i've welded in the past, years ago.  My first welding experience was burning my eyes when i was 7 or 8 watching my grandpa weld on his logging truck trailer.  not a fun experience.  

 So then after that my grandpa taught me how to arc weld, with a helmet  and the basic safety stuff with welding, like not watching an arc with bare eyes.  In high school we had a vo-ag class that we did a semester of welding.  I was top of that class in arc welding but i couldn't "torch weld" whatever the proper name for welding with the cutting torch is, to save my hide.  I wasn't bad with the wire feed welder, but not really good either.

One of the things we did in the vo-ag class was make flatbed's for the farmers to put on their trucks.  I had to weld the seam on the bed of the truck where it meets the backstop that protects the cab.  Welds looked beautiful, best i'd ever done with the wirefeed, then the instructor took the hammer to test and just tapped my center weld.  It popped, then they all popped and the diamond plate sheet went crashing down to the floor lol.  I was so happy with my welds for about 2 minutes.

I tried mig and tig welding when i worked at a Conagra Foods (was called something else back then, Lamb Weston i believe) processing plant.  the last 2 years i was there, 2001-2003 i was an operator of the big machine that wrapped the cases of goods on the pallets.  Also did maintenance on this machine and all the conveyor belts and systems feeding it.  They wanted me to weld back then, so i did arc welding, until the maintenance crew came by and said no you have to use a mig or tig for that, something to do with osha back then and the arc welder on a food line.  Never could get the hang of the gas welding. So anytime we needed welding done we had to call maintenance.

Well at least you have some on the job experience with it. I can't wait until I get into the work force after I get my school certificate, and state certification. I'm really into the car industry with welding, but I have to start off somewhere reputable so I can say I have some experience with some certifications. I am actually planning on relocating around the country to work the pipeline, make some big money and come back home. Works out for me because I have no wife or kids... I'm young so I can go and travel and really chase the money. Hopefully when I relocate for a few years traveling the states and what not, I can come back home and buy a house in cash and start up my own business and shop, which is my current plan. It will take years and years of work, but I know it will be worth it. I love welding, and I don't see it as a chore, once you love something and you do it for a living, you never have to work again in your life and you can be happy with what you like to do. 

[Kormath]

On 5/17/2019 at 9:45 PM, DylBandit said:

once you love something and you do it for a living, you never have to work again in your life and you can be happy with what you like to do. 

Glad you found that!  Really awesome when people can do what they truly enjoy.

I've been getting paid for my hobby for about 20 years now, and your'e right, i don't work, i come to this office to do my hobby and help people   Did the service desk/help desk stint professionally for almost 20 years now, it was a hobby for a few years before that.  2 years ago I got promoted to software developer and system administrator.  I don't do much developing, mostly administration on in house software the developers in my group created, and on the servers all our stuff runs from, i'm having more fun doing this than i was on the service desk.

[DylBandit]

20 hours ago, Kormath said:

Glad you found that!  Really awesome when people can do what they truly enjoy.

I've been getting paid for my hobby for about 20 years now, and your'e right, i don't work, i come to this office to do my hobby and help people   Did the service desk/help desk stint professionally for almost 20 years now, it was a hobby for a few years before that.  2 years ago I got promoted to software developer and system administrator.  I don't do much developing, mostly administration on in house software the developers in my group created, and on the servers all our stuff runs from, i'm having more fun doing this than i was on the service desk.

Believe it or not, I was actually going to college for Software Developer until I discovered welding and all of the cool stuff you can do. Also, I'm really big into cars and stuff like that so Welding plays a big role in that regard. 

[BropolloCreed79]

 

Built these in December after finding  old butcher block countertop at my in-laws just laying in a pile of scrap.

 

First time welding, but had a great teacher, and did all the work myself.

[DylBandit]

On 5/28/2019 at 12:12 PM, BropolloCreed79 said:

 

Built these in December after finding  old butcher block countertop at my in-laws just laying in a pile of scrap.

 

First time welding, but had a great teacher, and did all the work myself.

Pictures of me and first MIG welds 😂

[Kean_1]

My skills don't go beyond simple repairs, crafts and things non-structural.  😄   In other words, I wouldn't trust myself to repair a trailer let alone build anything that could end up harming someone if it fails due to my welds.

[DylBandit]

6 hours ago, Kean_1 said:

My skills don't go beyond simple repairs, crafts and things non-structural.  😄   In other words, I wouldn't trust myself to repair a trailer let alone build anything that could end up harming someone if it fails due to my welds.

Structural is literally the best part about welding and the art of it. You can literally make, and sell something and look back and say hey, I actually built that or fab up a race car all yourself, and perform with it. It's just such an amazing skill to have let alone a good paying career if you are in the right place. It's truly an amazing thing and I'm glad I'm getting serious with it as a my profession. 

I'm by no means a professional, I just started a few weeks ago, but I can definitely say I've been progressing each and every week. It's a life term goal. What I do is say "Okay, I want to be better than last week." and that's the mindset every welder should have. You should always think to yourself that improving is key. Look back and say "Okay, my welds were amazing yesterday, let's do even better TODAY." You keep that mindset and you will go places you never thought would be possible. Honestly, that goes with anything. That's why I stick by the quote of "A master has failed more times than a beginner has even tried."

[Kean_1]

I'm glad you have the passion but welding to me is just something that helps me get things done around the house, etc. If I was 30 years younger I might be more enthusiastic about it. 

Don't get me wrong, it's kinda fun sometimes and rewarding but at my age, I'm not looking to make a career out of it or start any major builds. I did my time in the working world and I'm enjoying my semi-retired life. 

Besides, old age and old injuries have caught up to me so things I once spent a lot of time doing in the garage (e.g. day long detailing sessions, all of our mechanical repairs, home repairs, etc.) are much more challenging now and frankly, not really fun as a result.

[Kormath]

15 hours ago, Kean_1 said:

Besides, old age and old injuries have caught up to me so things I once spent a lot of time doing in the garage (e.g. day long detailing sessions, all of our mechanical repairs, home repairs, etc.) are much more challenging now and frankly, not really fun as a result.

So we start calling you Uncle? 

[DylBandit]

19 hours ago, Kean_1 said:

I'm glad you have the passion but welding to me is just something that helps me get things done around the house, etc. If I was 30 years younger I might be more enthusiastic about it. 

Don't get me wrong, it's kinda fun sometimes and rewarding but at my age, I'm not looking to make a career out of it or start any major builds. I did my time in the working world and I'm enjoying my semi-retired life. 

 Besides, old age and old injuries have caught up to me so things I once spent a lot of time doing in the garage (e.g. day long detailing sessions, all of our mechanical repairs, home repairs, etc.) are much more challenging now and frankly, not really fun as a result.

I'm more than passionate about welding, I'm straight up addicted.