Rank Newbie- Which outfit to buy?

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Which welding process/outfit is best for a rank newbie ANDsafety- is it safe to learn in a basement shop inside the house, or should it be taken outside when the weather permits?Thanks,NelsonHobby-Machinist.com - The Friendly Machinist Forum®My toys: South Bend Heavy 10L Lathe (1973)Burke #4 Milling Machine (1946)Van Norman #12 Milling Machine (1942)South Bend 14" Drill Press
Reply:what do you want?some guys buy a 110volt wirefeeder  machine and take a five minute course in pulling the trigger. you wanna be a welder, start with oxyacetylene welding.safe the basement up,.remove combustible debris..cover wood with sheetrock.. get fire e=xtinguishers and smoke detectors, better than nothing.  if you can , go outside.
Reply:Safety:  Me no weld "inside".  Me want lots of ventilation.Arc welding gives off fumes that can get in your lungs.Gas welding has it's own fumes but more important a fuel gas leak needs to be able to dissipate instead of becoming a bomb.But that's just me.Which process is a whole other issue, but flux core wire welding is probably the simplest in terms of just being able to plug in, clamp and pull a trigger.  But making actual welds (let alone good welds) vs. gluing metal is a whole other issue.  Lots of things to consider, so read on in the stickies and look at vendor websites for info.
Reply:What type of outfit would teach me basics, allow me to weld steel and cast iron parts, and permit me to move it outside and then inside when the weather changes?Thanks,NelsonHobby-Machinist.com - The Friendly Machinist Forum®My toys: South Bend Heavy 10L Lathe (1973)Burke #4 Milling Machine (1946)Van Norman #12 Milling Machine (1942)South Bend 14" Drill Press
Reply:Dunno.What should I have for breakfast and why?How long is a piece of string?Do you walk to work – or carry your lunch?
Reply:If I was working in a basement my first choice would be tig. Very controlled. No sparks going everywhere. Good for nearly any material. I learned on OA, and like weldbead, I think it's the best place to start. I'd be careful storing large bottles in a basement but a small portable plumber/hvac setup should be fine and is inexpensive. The skills you learn will transfer directly to tig in the future. You can also use the torch to heat material for bending and such.Mig is farily easy to master but likely too smokey without ventilation. Stick likewise is very smokey. Properly designed you could build yourself a downdraft welding workstation. Maybe do some google searching. This would really be a must regardless of the process... your lungs and the rest of the house will thank you. It will also minimize the fire risk.You really should take some classes at a vocational school. Most offer some kind of basic welding classes that can teach you about the various processes. A few weeks spent taking a class can save you hundreds in selecting the correct equipment for what you'd like to do.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireYou really should take some classes at a vocational school. Most offer some kind of basic welding classes that can teach you about the various processes. A few weeks spent taking a class can save you hundreds in selecting the correct equipment for what you'd like to do.
Reply:spiderman's looks cool but no cape... hmmm tough choice--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous