new to welding - need direction

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in a nutshell, i'd like to learn how to weld, specifically exhaust.  for example, i currently have a crack in one of my headers and instead of taking it someone to have it done, i figured this would be a good opportunity to buy some equipment and start learning myself.  for something like that, and exhaust work in general, what would you guys recommend for a less expensive, good starter kit?  also, i'm clueless when it comes to the whole power thing.  all i know is that we have a double, 3 prong receptacle outside.
Reply:Double 3-prong receptacle, sounds like a common 110v household dual plug.  Don't usually see 220v receptacles on the exterior of houses unless there's a washer and dryer on the back porch.  So this means you're limited to 110v power.Easiest thing to learn is fluxcore self shield wire in a mig machine.  There are tons of used 110v mig/flux machines available for cheap.  Check Craigs List and you will find a deal on one.  Lincolns are the most popular and readily available inexpensive 110v migs, usually the Home Depot or Lowe's models that folks buy, keep for awhile, then sell for cheap.  Run .030 fluxcore wire in it and you will be able to weld your exhaust sufficiently to get the job done after some time practicing on scrap.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:wow that was easy.  thanks man, i really appreciate it.
Reply:hey would this would do?  then i just have to get the .030 wire and some safety equipment, right?
Reply:I am like you..........  I've been practicing and practicing and received some tips and hands on experience from a few friends of mine that know what they are doing.  I've been reading and reading and watching mig welding videos on youtube....  I've been learning from many of the great welders here on this website.   After practicing and more practice for a short time, I've gotten pretty good for my needs.  With proper guidance, resorces (weldingweb.com, google, youtube, experienced welders etc...) you'll be welding in no time.   I critique my welds constantly and even take pieces of welded metal over to experienced welder's shops.  I bug them and ask them for pointers, tips and ideas to make my welds even better.  It's all paid off for me.  Would I weld something that required structural integrity where a life or the potential for serious injury exists?  Hell no.  I'm not delusional and I know my limitations.   In that instance, I would seek a professional welder and pay him/her to do the job.  But for welding some exhaust pipes, lawn art, making tables, chairs or gates for the house etc.... I can do it myself.  I am not an expert, yet only a "fair" welder based on my limited experience.   That said, i always strive to make my welds as "perfect" for me (but I always struggle!).  As long as us "new guys" realize our limitations, we can accomplish much with a little welder for home/garage projects.   Just educate yourself first and practice practice practice!  It's not that hard with a wire fed machine (GMAW/Mig & FCAW).    This is my latest welding project (red welding table) done on a little 120VAC (aka: 110V) Lincoln Mig 140c model welder with .030 L-56 SuperArc wire and 75/25% Ar/CO gas mix.  Also, the piece on top was a single length piece of square tube scrape metal that I cut angles for using a square, welded it up into the horseshoe shape and smoothed out the weld beads for "looks" only.  Then I electroplated it with a zinc blue coating, just for fun.  Again, it was just for practice stuff.  I think  both projects pictured below turned out pretty good for this beginning welder.  Attached ImagesLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:that's awesome dude.  yeah i don't plan on doing BIG projects.  the biggest thing i'll do for now is just fabricate my own exhaust.  forgot to show the link in my previous post.  it's a pretty reliable site from what i know of and a steal for brand new as far as i can tell.  this should be ok, no?http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.htmlLast edited by ohfour238; 05-09-2010 at 05:49 PM.
Reply:I think it should do what you need. i would tig it though. you get what you pay for. if you go with that welder you'll be limited to what you can do. i love what they say about it lol my mm212 would walk circles around it. harbor freight is junk. sorry
Reply:Originally Posted by ohfour238that's awesome dude.  yeah i don't plan on doing BIG projects.  the biggest thing i'll do for now is just fabricate my own exhaust.  forgot to show the link in my previous post.  it's a pretty reliable site from what i know of and a steal for brand new as far as i can tell.  this should be ok, no?http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.html
Reply:Originally Posted by ohfour238that's awesome dude.  yeah i don't plan on doing BIG projects.  the biggest thing i'll do for now is just fabricate my own exhaust.  forgot to show the link in my previous post.  it's a pretty reliable site from what i know of and a steal for brand new as far as i can tell.  this should be ok, no?http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.html
Reply:i know a $110 welder is gonna be far from top of the line, but since i've never welded, i'm not gonna dump a lot of money (that i don't have) into an expensive one.  for this particular problem, i literally just need to fill a crack, it's not at a joint or a factory weld that failed.  should be fairly simple.  i don't really care about it being neat so much, i know i'm not gonna be a polished welder right off the bat.  as long as it does the job, i'm fine with that.  i'll practice over time and work my way up to better equipment.  my exhaust fabrication project is not in the near future or anything, just something i'd like to be able to do down the road since i've really gotten into cars and modifying mine.
Reply:Working your way up through equipment is the "dump alot of money" method of learning.  What you are wanting to learn to do takes precision and skill which equates to tig and takes equipment that will match the work.  If it is a one off exhaust system then it may be worth having someone else make it for you.  If not then consider 1) save $1500 towards your Tig welder this should cover acessories also 2) plan on spending 100 or more hours on practice before even attemping your project, just something  to consider.
Reply:hmm i see.  well i'll get this cheap one for now just to do this and get a feel for what it's all about and because i just can't afford to save up for that right now, in the middle of supercharging my car and stuff.  after i get through this, i'll start saving up for a good TIG welder for my future exhaust project.  thanks for all the input guys.