Newbie Welder looking for some advice

admin

Hey everyone, I am new to the forum and somewhat new to welding. I have a farm so I have messed around with a small mig welder making the odd repair. Nothing stuctural and nothing that needs to look pretty. Recently I came across a smoking deal on some welding stuff so picked up a Everlast MTS 252 STI, 3 large tanks with different gas mixtures, Spool gun, Plasma Cutter, Water cooler, welding table, plasma cutting table, gloves, helmet etc.. It is way more than I need but the stuff was barely used and basically new and cost me $800 CAD so i had to buy it. My winters are generally slower and doing some more welding and metal work is something I would like to do. I would like to build a trailer at some point but don't trust my skills. I also would like to weld some alluminum for other projects. Can anyone point me to a good video series or program of sorts that I can do from home to become more proficient?  Also, that welder has way more stuff going on than my old mig so if anyone has experience with the MTS 252 or has suggestions about it please let me know. I appreciate any response.
Reply:Welcome to welding web! Glad to hear you say that you want to build a trailer but don't trust your skills! You wouldn't believe the guys that come on here & just got a HF 125 amp flux welder and want to build a trailer as a first project, there's much more involved than puttin' the gun to the metal & squeezing the trigger! Thank you for your wisdom in realizing that you're not ready!Last edited by CAVEMANN; 06-22-2021 at 09:52 PM.IMPEACH BIDEN!NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINEGOD HELP AMERICA!“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream".RONALD REAGAN
Reply:Sounds like you got a killer deal on your gear!Lots of knowledgeable people here, you can learn a lot, I know I have. Welcome to the forum.If you're looking for videos online, Jody of "Welding Tips and Tricks" has some great videos. Also, Dave from Minnesota (a moderator here) teaches new welders, I think, and often posts good videos here.Last edited by Kelvin; 06-23-2021 at 08:08 AM.
Reply:welcome and congrats on a great deal.  IF you don't have the manual for the machine (s) you can go to the everlast site and download it.  That will show you the proper connections for the various leads and also get you in the ball park for the settings.  You want to practice on some old material before burning up the good stuff and always make sure the material is CLEAN, BUFFED TO SHINY material not just wiped with a cleaner.  Make sure there are NO flammable materials around the welding area,,, there are sparks that do get away or past your vision.  Have fun.
Reply:I have a bunch stuff for $800 you have to buy!

I will take an e-transfer. Thankfully this forum is free so you don't have to buy any advice. Get a manual for your machine(s) if you don't have one. Ask questions as you go and there are many with more experience that would be happy to help you. Welcome to the forum.
Reply:Hey Dave, does that include shipping & wattaya have for 800 bucks? LOLIMPEACH BIDEN!NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINEGOD HELP AMERICA!“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream".RONALD REAGAN
Reply:

Originally Posted by aspo

Hey everyone, I am new to the forum and somewhat new to welding. I have a farm so I have messed around with a small mig welder making the odd repair. Nothing stuctural and nothing that needs to look pretty. Recently I came across a smoking deal on some welding stuff so picked up a Everlast MTS 252 STI, 3 large tanks with different gas mixtures, Spool gun, Plasma Cutter, Water cooler, welding table, plasma cutting table, gloves, helmet etc.. It is way more than I need but the stuff was barely used and basically new and cost me $800 CAD so i had to buy it. My winters are generally slower and doing some more welding and metal work is something I would like to do. I would like to build a trailer at some point but don't trust my skills. I also would like to weld some alluminum for other projects. Can anyone point me to a good video series or program of sorts that I can do from home to become more proficient?  Also, that welder has way more stuff going on than my old mig so if anyone has experience with the MTS 252 or has suggestions about it please let me know. I appreciate any response.