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By trade I am a plumbing apprentice in the union.I recently just decided to learn how to weld. The union was allowing me to attend welding class (four classes elapsed) until attendance dropped sharply. Now they will not hold any more till September.1) So...If I can find cash and want to practise welding on my own which type of stick weld machine would you recommend? (range btwn 2-3 hundred dollars) (used and good condition).2) Most likely would have to weld outside...Doable? ...if yes then 3) How might one set up a welding shop/work area outside? HAPPY WELDING UALL
Reply:If you can find an AC/DC welder in your price range that would be best. If not a nice AC machine would be fine.Stick is definately something you want to do outdoors unless you have a big enough shop due to all the sparks. Stick is designed to be used outdoors.As far as a work area, a clear area in the drive works well. Try and block the arc from view of other as best as posible. I have a steel plae on 2 steel saw horses that I can set up in the drive as needed. If you have the space a dedicated area with a bench, cover (roof/ tent), side walls is very nice. I have a small propane heater that I use in the winter and a tent that I can use to cover the work area if need be. I have a tarp that I can hang as walls if is super cold, but the wind tends to mov my tent with it up so I try and not use it.Don't forget about the sparks, If you have grass be prepared for small grass fires.
Reply:yeh mate , go grab a stick , second hand is fine , ac is fine you can do near everywelding with the ac apart from a few exceptions , and go for it even if ya gotta practice on the ground on a bit of steel  , itll teach ya to weld . dont need much fancy equipment. all of my work is mostly done in field and could be on the ground in mud water or what ever muck is around .
Reply:Outside = stick machine.  See if you can get a used Lincoln 225 AC/DC welder (they're probably the most common welder ever built).  If not grab a new one if you have the cash.As for an outside work area, your first project is almost always building a welding table.  If cost and weight is an issue, a 3/8" plate maybe 4'x6', and some angle iron for the legs.  Put some wheels on it and some racks underneath the table for storage then if you want you can wheel the the in and out of garage or wherever if you want.  (that's what I did)Aside from that, your basic requirements are just a machine and rods (6011 and 7014s are good that don't require being kept in an oven), a helmet, welding gloves, a grinder, some welding rods and that's about it.  A chop saw is also nice for cutting metal bars, pipe, etc...Last edited by z0diac; 07-20-2008 at 02:15 PM."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Good advice from all and thank you.Will take some time to do this right and hope the economy does not get depressing...otherwise I'll be knowing more about welding...and sweeping the streets off. HAPPY WELDING UALL
Reply:Many a welder started their career with a Lincoln AC-225. It is a rare occurrence that I get to use a work table. Unless you are doing ornamental iron a 3' X 4' table works well. Run a piece of 3" X 3" angle down one side so it makes a trough, and mount your vise on one of the corners on the opposite side. Buy your electrodes in small boxes 5-10lbs unless you have a large project that you will finish relatively quickly (they are cheaper in 50lb boxes but you would be surprised how long it can take to empty one). Don't worry too much about a rod oven until you start doing code welding. We carried 7018 on our trucks for many years before the tubes came along. Until about 10 years ago none of the shops I worked in even had an oven. If you have room a small refrigerator with a 100 watt light bulb works well for keeping the moisture under control.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.