Learning to stick weld.

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I am going to a community college to get an associates degree in Industrial System Technology with Welding. I am about to finish my basic academic classes in a few weeks, and I will be starting my first welding class at the end of May. I have been spending time between my classes in the welding shop watching other students tig weld. I bought a helmet from Harbor Freight used it one day and didn't like it. I went to Lowe's and got a different helmet that I feel a lot more comfortable with. I have started wearing my steal toe boots and I realized after the first day that they are a little to big for me. I have blisters on the back of my heals. I will be spending the next weeks before my class starts buying all the gear I will need. The college provides all the tools I will need but I want my own. One of the other students helped me with a list of to get me started. Plus someone on here gave me a few pointers on what to buy. If anyone could give me some information on what they think I should start buying that would be great.Last edited by She_Welds; 04-13-2011 at 07:03 PM.
Reply:Tools for stick?Chipping hammer, wire brush, 4-1/2" grinder with wire wheel and grinding disks, file, tape measure, soap stone, square, Mig pliers if you do mig, large pair of pliers or tongs for handling hot metal and coupons, I like the big welding Visegrip clamps for holding down coupons for grinding rather than use the schools vise... All depends on what they have and how they run the class.Usuall PPE (hood, gloves, leather jacket, hearing protection (plugs at a minimum for keeping slag out of your ears in overhead, I prefer muffs for grinding), Safety glasses, full face shield for grinding if you prefer, cap or do-rag... The biggest thing about PPE is that it fits well. A lot of the young ladies I know who weld at the tech school often have issues with the gloves being too big. Generally they grab the stock ones at the LWS and they are large in size. I have small hands and have the LWS order the styles I prefer in Medium and suggest the ladies ask to try the smalls as well as the mediums. If the stuff doesn't fit well you won't wear it, on in some cases it can be dangerous (sleeves getting caught in grinders etc)As far as you boots if you can't return them for the right size... Try 2 pairs of socks. With leather boots I used to always soak them in hot water and then wear them untill dry, mostly sitting around watching TV but also doing a little bit of walking. The idea is the water causes the boots to stretch and when they shrink they conform better to your feet. With good well fitting boots thats not needed. Best bet is to go some where that knows how to fit you for boots. Not the easiest places to find these days. I deal with a place that sells orthodic footwear but also sells work boots. Redwing stores are also fairly good. Good fitting boots are worth every penny. I used to work with a guy who always though I was nuts for spending $200+ on good top end boots. He just bought cheap cr@p and had to replace them almost every other month, and at the end of a 14 hour day often he could barely walk his feet hurt so much. We all chipped in and got him a good set once for Christmas and he couldn't believe the difference it made on how he felt at the end of the day, and as far as I know he had those boots at least 2 years..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWAs far as you boots if you can't return them for the right size... Try 2 pairs of socks. With leather boots I used to always soak them in hot water and then wear them untill dry, mostly sitting around watching TV but also doing a little bit of walking. The idea is the water causes the boots to stretch and when they shrink they conform better to your feet. With good well fitting boots thats not needed. Best bet is to go some where that knows how to fit you for boots. Not the easiest places to find these days. I deal with a place that sells orthodic footwear but also sells work boots. Redwing stores are also fairly good. Good fitting boots are worth every penny. I used to work with a guy who always though I was nuts for spending $200+ on good top end boots. He just bought cheap cr@p and had to replace them almost every other month, and at the end of a 14 hour day often he could barely walk his feet hurt so much. We all chipped in and got him a good set once for Christmas and he couldn't believe the difference it made on how he felt at the end of the day, and as far as I know he had those boots at least 2 years.
Reply:A lot of welding supply stores give student/education discounts, ask one of the instructors which stores do in your area.  Always ask for a discount.   if you find a store and salesperson you can get to know on a first name basis, it will really pay off in the long run when u are ready to buy more equipment, or even looking for referrals to job openings etc... I used to teach HS shop classes and still have a great relationship with the commercial sales rep at the local Airgas.   So I still get discounts on everything even though I am not teaching any more.Oh, get a nice wooden or synthetic chipping hammer.  the cheap metal handle ones tend to bend after a few rounds of chipping and dont absorb much vibration.  you will spend a lot of time beating up slag when u are learning. as you progress you will find a simple drag of the chipping hammer will release most of your slag very easily.... the easier your slag comes off generally indicates a better quality weld..Last edited by soutthpaw; 04-13-2011 at 09:24 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Where abouts in Bama are you ?
Reply:While you are getting started in SMAW play with your heat ranges polarity and rods, dont just do one thing over and over and hope you are getting it.Also practice your movements with out the machine hooked up so you can get a feel for it.
Reply:If your saftey gear isn't comfortable you won't wear it... and not wearing safety gear is just dumb.I don't know if you have the capabilities to get your own arc set up at home, but AC arc welders can be had cheap, as long as you have a safe place to weld and 220v power... its all about practice practice pratice... just don't make any bad habits.
Reply:Originally Posted by Showdog75Where abouts in Bama are you ?
Reply:Find light weight boots if you can.My Redwings weigh 5 lbs.Cabella's has some Kangaroo boots which weigh 2.5 lbs..that may not be with steel toes.... but I am saying that wearing them all day if you have a choice in lighter weight that fit.... go for it...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Thanks for all the information. I continued to wear my boots and they seem to be getting better. I found some gloves that are BXS firefly made for women. They fit really nice. I have also purchased two pairs of safety glasses, a jacket, and some hats. All it seems I need now are some ear plugs and I should have all my PPE listed.   I have also bought a chipping hammer, wire brush, tape measure, soap stone, square, a couple of pliers, some visegrips, and some C clamps. I need a few more tools having everything listed above. Thanks again for your time and information.
Reply:Originally Posted by kustomizingkidIf your saftey gear isn't comfortable you won't wear it... and not wearing safety gear is just dumb.I don't know if you have the capabilities to get your own arc set up at home, but AC arc welders can be had cheap, as long as you have a safe place to weld and 220v power... its all about practice practice pratice... just don't make any bad habits.
Reply:In addition to the soap stones, there are silver pencils. They make an easily visiable fine line; an oldtimer gave me one and I will soon be looking for a replacement.Is there a Harbor Freight near you?  Some of their stuff is, in my opinion, "Good Enough" and I collect the 20% discount coupons for my occasional purchases there (why pay retail?)I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I know this isn't 'on-topic' , but I thought you might enjoy it just the same... A few years ago I was working a refueling outage at a nuclear plant. There was a young lady welder working there as well. One of the other male welders asked her what led her to choose welding as a career. She looked him square in the eye and asked "Do you ask everyone that, or just me because I'm a woman?" He looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock!...LOL...
Reply:On the PPE thing: For ear plugs, go with the orange/purple foam bulk ones at Lowes - look for 30-32DB rated plugs and make sure you use them right.  90% of the folks using foam ear plugs don't use them right so they are barely better than nothing.Foam ear plugs quick start:- throw them away as soon as they look dirty - ear infections suck- To insert, roll between thumb and forefinger until narrow, place in ear until most of the plug is in the ear canal- You should need to use ungloved fingers to pinch the end of the plug to remove it, but should not feel it against the sensitive inner ear- You should hear a definite change as the foam fills outYou can't just cram them in and hope they work.If you get sloppy with ear protection you will be like me - asking folks to turn up the TV, cupping my hand behind me ear to hear them speak and not able to hear some folks on the cell phone.  I am just about 42 and already have noticed hearing loss from being sloppy about ear protection when I was younger.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyIf you get sloppy with ear protection you will be like me - asking folks to turn up the TV, cupping my hand behind me ear to hear them speak and not able to hear some folks on the cell phone.  I am just about 42 and already have noticed hearing loss from being sloppy about ear protection when I was younger.
Reply:Foamies are washable (I've had enough of them get washed in my uniforms) so if you need too you can clean them with ordinary soap and water.Plugs also keep hot metal from entering your ear when welding overhead.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYep same here. Better use of hearing protection would have to be in the top 5 things I'd change if I had to do things over again. Now I keep at least 1/2 a dozen piars of the disposeable plugs in the glove box of each truck ( plus a big can on the work truck) and have at least 4 sets of muffs between the house, shop and trucks.
Reply:I've got a permanent ringing in my ears & hearing loss, and I'm only turning 20 this month..... Spent too much time my car with open headers last year, and I'll pay for it the rest of my life. I take PPE very seriously now, especially for my eyes & ears. I always wear earplugs when welding, makes it easier to focus and relax too. MIG welding is loud....To the original poster, are you only going to stick weld? If you will MIG as well, MIG pliers are great. They let you keep the gun clean, as well as make it easy to change out any nozzle or tip, and trim the end of the wire if needed. The harbor freight version isn't even too bad, for less than $10Also, I don't know how much $$ you're looking to spend. But spending the money on a good helmet is absolutely worth it, you get what you pay for there. You can get a Miller "Performance series" helmet for less than $200. If you're nice to your classmates, they might let you try their helmets, and you can find one that you like best. I'm also a huge fan of the Miller mig gloves, they fit much nicer than any other thicker glove I've tried (Not getting into TIG gloves here). A good fitting glove is not only more comfortable/relaxing and "natural", it'll fatigue your hand less. Good equipment, like gloves, helmet, even your jacket will make you a better welder, and will make welding more enjoyable Last thing... Welding gloves will last for a very long time, unless you trash them by picking up hot metal. With the millers especially, the fingers get "crispy", and they cost too much to abuse like that. Use a pair of vise-grips to pick up the hot metal, then quench it in water and practice some more Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyOn the PPE thing: For ear plugs, go with the orange/purple foam bulk ones at Lowes - look for 30-32DB rated plugs and make sure you use them right.  90% of the folks using foam ear plugs don't use them right so they are barely better than nothing.Foam ear plugs quick start:- throw them away as soon as they look dirty - ear infections suck- To insert, roll between thumb and forefinger until narrow, place in ear until most of the plug is in the ear canal- You should need to use ungloved fingers to pinch the end of the plug to remove it, but should not feel it against the sensitive inner ear- You should hear a definite change as the foam fills out
Reply:Originally Posted by She_WeldsNortheast Alabama Jackson County
Reply:Thanks Greg. My town was not hit but some of my family in Rainsville Alabama lost everything. Everyone seems to be giving their neighor and the communuties as much support and help as they can. Your prayers and thoughts are much needed to many families that lost something or someone.
Reply:Originally Posted by PrimetimeI've got a permanent ringing in my ears & hearing loss, and I'm only turning 20 this month..... Spent too much time my car with open headers last year, and I'll pay for it the rest of my life. I take PPE very seriously now, especially for my eyes & ears. I always wear earplugs when welding, makes it easier to focus and relax too. MIG welding is loud....To the original poster, are you only going to stick weld? If you will MIG as well, MIG pliers are great. They let you keep the gun clean, as well as make it easy to change out any nozzle or tip, and trim the end of the wire if needed. The harbor freight version isn't even too bad, for less than $10Also, I don't know how much $$ you're looking to spend. But spending the money on a good helmet is absolutely worth it, you get what you pay for there. You can get a Miller "Performance series" helmet for less than $200. If you're nice to your classmates, they might let you try their helmets, and you can find one that you like best. I'm also a huge fan of the Miller mig gloves, they fit much nicer than any other thicker glove I've tried (Not getting into TIG gloves here). A good fitting glove is not only more comfortable/relaxing and "natural", it'll fatigue your hand less. Good equipment, like gloves, helmet, even your jacket will make you a better welder, and will make welding more enjoyable Last thing... Welding gloves will last for a very long time, unless you trash them by picking up hot metal. With the millers especially, the fingers get "crispy", and they cost too much to abuse like that. Use a pair of vise-grips to pick up the hot metal, then quench it in water and practice some more
Reply:Originally Posted by papaharley03Add to that, I often gently hold them in place as the foam expands so they can't back out during the expansion.Another way I use foam ear plugs. I get the red colored ones and shove one in the barrel of my personal defense pistol to remind me that it's loaded. Actually, it's more to let my other half know that it's loaded and to be careful while handling. Easy to remove in an emergency.Papa
Reply:Originally Posted by welds4dI know this isn't 'on-topic' , but I thought you might enjoy it just the same... A few years ago I was working a refueling outage at a nuclear plant. There was a young lady welder working there as well. One of the other male welders asked her what led her to choose welding as a career. She looked him square in the eye and asked "Do you ask everyone that, or just me because I'm a woman?" He looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock!...LOL...
Reply:Originally Posted by nadogailIn addition to the soap stones, there are silver pencils. They make an easily visiable fine line; an oldtimer gave me one and I will soon be looking for a replacement.Is there a Harbor Freight near you?  Some of their stuff is, in my opinion, "Good Enough" and I collect the 20% discount coupons for my occasional purchases there (why pay retail?)I have small feet, I wear size six. I don't know about women's boots but for me getting a good pair of steel toes has been an eternal challenge. A few months ago Crawford posted about his Belleville 330 flight deck boots. Turns out Belleville makes boots from size 3 on up.  I ordered up a pair from Davidson Shoes (They also will do spit sizes). So far they are working well. http://www.shoestoboot.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=1109I like SmartWool socks. I bought mine at REI, they are the form fitting style and don't slip. Sorry I don't remember the model.http://www.smartwool.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by She_Welds I have been trying to find some information on ear muffs hearing protection. I am thinking about using both ear plugs and ear muffs. I have worked in factories for 10 years so have some experiance on ear plugs but I have never used ear muffs. I did not know about the picking up metal or about the MIG pliers Thank you for all your information.
Reply:I've been using the Pod style plugs lately. They have a foam mushroom end, and a small handle. The plugs are connected by a cord. Your fingers never touch the foam, no rolling, and easy to get out to talk or whatever. They also hang right there around your neck when not needed, ready to go!
Reply:I just went with Dude's boots because I didn't see any selection on Women's boots at the places I went.Thanks for the information. It is very helpful.
Reply:Thanks for the information on the muffs and earplugs. I never liked taken the foam earplugs out and having to roll them with my dirty fingers and sticking them back in my ear. I tried using the ones that where a rubber with ribs on them but they must be to big because they would rub my holes raw. This is why I was thinking about using muffs. I had no knowledge of the mushroom end plugs. I start school on the 31st. so I got to come up with what I am going to use now.
Reply:I got into the welding program some years back, and before very long I had a gigantic gear bag to haul everything back and forth to school. That gets old fast.Red Wings or Wolverines are good quality boots. A cotton hat, a cotton or leather jacket, leather gloves, safety glasses, and your hood should do for starters. The jackets with leather sleeves and cotton torso are a nice compromise. The first all-cotton jacket I bought in 2006 lasted quite a long while, but it was the best $12.00 I spent that year.  (Especially for tig.)Ear muffs may not fit under your hood unless they are mighty slim. Find a local (to you) welding supply and let them know you are in school to learn welding, they will generally be of enormous help to students. Your instructors will know where all the good deals can be had.Have you been to www.dadscaps.com? Donna makes cool hats! Last edited by tanglediver; 05-27-2011 at 02:04 AM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Shellfish can make you a better welder. Simply think about CLAMS: Current setting, Length of arc, Angle of electrode, Manipulation of the electrode and Speed of travel. If you're just learning the Stick process, technically called Shielded Metal Arc Welding, remembering these five points will improve your welding technique.locksmith las vegaslocksmith in las vegas
Reply:You must be going to Northeast CC.
Reply:The "foamies" are highly effective plugs and are washable. They also help clean the ear by taking wax with them.Get several pair, wash 'em if you can't afford a box of plugs, and protect your ears.Sparks bouncing into your ear canal aren't fun!I got into the welding program some years back, and before very long I had a gigantic gear bag to haul everything back and forth to school. That gets old fast.
Reply:Originally Posted by Wstmrlnd89639You must be going to Northeast CC.
Reply:Look for a PM.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Silver Sharpies work awesome for marking and I can't stress the hearing protection enough. I've worked in an industrial setting for 17 years with no detectable hearing loss. One of the guys I work with got hearing aids last year and the other just deals with 30% hearing loss.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Silver Pencil  You Wrote....."I like the idea of a pencil but when I Google it there is so many out there. Can you give me a little more information on what brand is a good brand or does it even matter?" ......My Silver Pencil is a Sanford VERY THIN 753 Metalic SilverI am sure there are other brands that are equal; but I don't know.Last edited by nadogail; 06-04-2011 at 06:02 PM.Reason: punctuation & SpellingI offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Here is a welding book for you.  It was written in the late 80's, but the information is still good.http://www.mckaymarine.com.au/Downlo...g%20Manual.pdfI offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by nadogailLook for a PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by nadogailHere is a welding book for you.  It was written in the late 80's, but the information is still good.http://www.mckaymarine.com.au/Downlo...g%20Manual.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverI got into the welding program some years back, and before very long I had a gigantic gear bag to haul everything back and forth to school. That gets old fast.Red Wings or Wolverines are good quality boots. A cotton hat, a cotton or leather jacket, leather gloves, safety glasses, and your hood should do for starters. The jackets with leather sleeves and cotton torso are a nice compromise. The first all-cotton jacket I bought in 2006 lasted quite a long while, but it was the best $12.00 I spent that year.  (Especially for tig.)Ear muffs may not fit under your hood unless they are mighty slim. Find a local (to you) welding supply and let them know you are in school to learn welding, they will generally be of enormous help to students. Your instructors will know where all the good deals can be had.Have you been to www.dadscaps.com? Donna makes cool hats!
Reply:Originally Posted by locksmithShellfish can make you a better welder. Simply think about CLAMS: Current setting, Length of arc, Angle of electrode, Manipulation of the electrode and Speed of travel. If you're just learning the Stick process, technically called Shielded Metal Arc Welding, remembering these five points will improve your welding technique.