Help Old Guy Figure Costs

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Retired now.  Want to learn enough welding to build an atv bumper, extend a trailer hitch mount, repair a broken snow plow and other such extremely complex home projects.  Willing to spend $400 for an AC/DC buzz box, but wondering how much more I'll need to spend in equipment and supplies to be able to train myself to "get by" with projects like I mentioned.  I know I'll need gloves and helmet, several clamps, grinder, and probably a bunch more stuff.  I do have 240V at the shop wall panel.If someone could give a list of "essentials", that would be great. Also... My biggest unknown is cost of steel to practice on.  Are there sources of "free" or very cheap weldable material available?I'm sure hauling stuff to the local welding shop would be cheapest in the long run, but I think I'd enjoy building/fixing stuff myself.  I'm willing to spend something for the "fun" of it, but don't want to invest $500 only to find out a month later it's going to cost an additional $1500 in tools, supplies and practice to get to a point where I can do the above type projects.
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkyRetired now.  Want to learn enough welding to build an atv bumper, extend a trailer hitch mount, repair a broken snow plow and other such extremely complex home projects.  Willing to spend $400 for an AC/DC buzz box, but wondering how much more I'll need to spend in equipment and supplies to be able to train myself to "get by" with projects like I mentioned.  I know I'll need gloves and helmet, several clamps, grinder, and probably a bunch more stuff.  I do have 240V at the shop wall panel.
Reply:Thanks for the thoughts and "scrap" thread.  I got lots of ideas from it.   I'm in a rural area so no big scrap yards or fab companies around.   As several mentioned I have to figure out what is weldable so I know what to look for to scrounge.  The more I think about this the more ideas for scrap come to mind that I can drag home and pile in the yard in case I ever need a piece like that.  Pretty soon I'll blend right in with the rest of the neighbors.
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkyThanks for the thoughts and "scrap" thread.  I got lots of ideas from it.   I'm in a rural area so no big scrap yards or fab companies around.   As several mentioned I have to figure out what is weldable so I know what to look for to scrounge.  The more I think about this the more ideas for scrap come to mind that I can drag home and pile in the yard in case I ever need a piece like that.  Pretty soon I'll blend right in with the rest of the neighbors.
Reply:Thanks again Vblue.  Good informative links saving me time.  It's clear I need to research some basics before running out to buy.Anyone care to post a list of essential tools/supplies a beginner needs to accomplish some first projects such as I mentioned above (plus a welding table I see now...)?
Reply:Some helpful tools for fabrication, aside from the safety equipment mentioned above are -14" chop saw - about $170 - $220 for a quality name-brand saw, available at most home centers and tool stores.  Harbor Freight or Northern Tool probably have cheaper no-name ones that will work ok if you're not planning to put it to heavy use.4.5" angle grinder with grinding discs - about $50 - $100 for a quality name-brand grinder, available at the same places as above.   Cheap ones down to $20 are also available.   It is easy and saves time to have a second angle grinder set up with a wire cup brush for cleaning metal before welding and cleaning between and after weld are run.Drill press - any kind will do, the bigger the better.  Available at same places as above.  Used ones can sometimes be found in the Equipment Trader or newpaper ads or at pawn or used tool shops.  $50 to $200 should get you something you can use.3/8" or 1/2" corded drill and bunch of descent quality drill bits as well as a few carbide burrs.   Drill and bits available everywhere.  $20 to $60 range is fine.  Carbide burrs can be found at most tool stores.Dremel, die grinder small cut-off tool or some other kinda high speed rotary tool, either air or electric - these work better for use with the burrs mentioned above than a drill does and can be used with small grinding stones, small cut-off wheels, and polishing wheels.   $20 to $50 should get you going.C-clamps of various sizes - Harbor Freight and used tool stores are good sources for inexpensive clamps.   Never hurts to have too many.Vice Grip type pliers of various shapes and types - see above.Large hand spring clamps, look like battery jumper cable clamps or a welding ground cable clamp.   Good for a quick hold on something when you dont have a 3rd or 4th hand available.Some small tools that are good for helping to position the metal so the job comes out square, even, etc--large framing square small 45/90 squaresmall magnetic level long carpenters levelsmall blocks of wood or pieces of metal of various sizes to shim things upA large piece of 1/4" steel plate that you can lay on top of a pair of saw horses will give you a quick portable and easily storable makeshift welding table for smaller projects.   It is also easier to work with the project if you can clamp your ground to the 'table' instead of the work pieces on some small projects.  2' by 2' is an ok size for the plate.   Bigger, up to 4' x 4', is nice if you dont have to lift it off and on much.   You'll probly want to weld a base for it out of angle or tube eventually.It's early and I'm sure I've forgotten quite a few things but that should give you some ideas to start with. Have fun with the welding!
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkyThanks again Vblue.  Good informative links saving me time.  It's clear I need to research some basics before running out to buy.
Reply:Originally Posted by VisorblueKind of why I suggested getting the video before you buy. You'd have a much better idea of the process, etc. Their DVDs are rated quite high.
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkyHave you seen those videos personally?
Reply:A possible source for scrap metal-I got the two tongues from a trailer-home that was towed to a permanent homesite.  I had to oxy/acet chop them up to get them home.  I was told these are new for each house section and not re-used.These are (4) aprox 10" X 2" X 1/8 X 7' eye-beamsand (6) 2" X 2" X 3/16 X 4' angles.I am TOTALLY new to hobby welding, and these should give me plenty of scrap to decide if I have any skill at welding.Phone around to trailer house dealers and movers and recent homesites to see if some are available.  They are usually just tossed under the homes then walled in when crawlspace is skirted.