Interested in starting welding.

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Hi all,I'm currently a student in ornamental horticulture. I want to design and install custom landscapes. I went to a wrought iron store where they sell individual metal rods, knobs, etc to make custom gates, railings and more, thing is you need to take it to a fabricator to get it made after you design it by pieces. I looked into welding classes at my local community college and Im gonna sign up. Now what i wanted to know was what would be a "good starter kit" to weld gates that would average no more than 3" rods and be no bigger than 5' X 15'? I want to look into buying equipment . I will be working from home. Any ideas? Will i need a generator? Links to good info sites? Searched for landscape gates in the search area but no luck. Thanks in advance!
Reply:Hi, you've come to the right place. Personally, I would consider a couple of options. The first, and most versatile would be an oxyacetylene torch. No electricity is needed, just good instruction for safety, and a sound torch rig will constitute the bulk of your investment. You can always add an electric arc welder that will complement your torch rig later.The second is an electric arc welder, I will stop at that point, because the many processess of arc welding will be (and have been) covered by the members here, and by a good quality welding course @ your local college. But very basically, there are three processess that are the most common to use in basic welding, they are by common nicknames, stick welding, mig welding, and tig welding. Welcome to the shop. 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:I second the vote for oxyacetylene as a starter rig.  You can weld materials up to 1/4" reasonably well, the cutting head for the torch will ALWAYS be useful even after you move to a different process.  I find myself going back to OA when I need to join thin materials that the stick welder can't do prettily.Take a look at Tractor Supply, I got a genuine Victor starter kit for under $200.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Just to be clear, the advice is to get training first, then buy the oxy/acetylene equipment.I highly recommend that you contact local community college, or other adult education facility and take an intro to welding course.   You get safety instruction, you get an instructor looking over your shoulder, you get practice material, and if you want, most courses allow you to bring a project in.About 2/3 of the way through the course, have that conversation with the instructor about what equipment to buy.  If you are on a budget, there is always Craigslist.BTW, generally speaking the course is fun.  Years ago I took a course at a county sponsored vo-tech school.  Two of the students were from a local welding supply store ("LWS") and offered to the class a victor setup at cost.  So you get connections as well.  Turns out that instructor is now at the local community college teaching the course there.BTW, do not discount safety.  You are dealing with extreme heat, gasses under high pressure (2000psi pressure in a 50 lbs bottle - 40G acceleration) some of which are unstable above 15 psi.  Then there is the bright lights, the sparks, oh and oxygen is such an accelerant that if you put it under pressure it can make oil spontaneously combust.Do it right and it's 100% safe.  Lets just say welding (and pretty much any metal working) is not a good way to try to prove Darwin was wrong.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:I am sure a class would be helpful, however I find that a few good books and the video from Northern Tool will get you started just fine (that's how I did it).Certainly pay attention to the safety instruction, the video does a good job and each of the books that I have read do as well.There is a lot to be said for learning through trial and error - I learned a lot about what doesnt work Pick up a copy of the Finch book from Lowes and Frank Marlow's book "Welding Essentials" and pay attention - you can teach yourself the basics and get rolling pretty quickly.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Hey javgoblin,I won't recommend any particular process right now as your best approach would be to take the welding class to really get a much better understanding of each process, the materials you will work with(quite varying), & the levels of power you may need to obtain optimum results. Member con_fuse9 has furnished the correct steps for you to wean into the world of metal.Your queries for your particular interest would be best initiated by starting some homework on your own. Get a good notebook, list the metals/thicknesses you will engage with, joint configurations, & the parameters of field work/equipment you will need to complete any project. Make some sketches, dimensions, & ideas you have & put them in your notebook so you have some prep data to show your instructor your needs for the best process & the ideas you have.Welding is a superb career IF you have the desire to learn & practice to get to a level of quality & first-class workmanship. Nothing less will be acceptable & that has been the downfall of many start-up hopefulls. Crappy work reputation spreads like wildfire.....don't get caught in it.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Thanks for everyones advice! Cant wait to start posting more on these forums. Thanks again guys.
Reply:Look into blacksmithing as well, wrought iron is more of a hands on labor intensive skill using hammers and anvils and lots of heat and muscle but the end results can really blow your mind.
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyI am sure a class would be helpful, however I find that a few good books and the video from Northern Tool will get you started just fine (that's how I did it).Certainly pay attention to the safety instruction, the video does a good job and each of the books that I have read do as well.There is a lot to be said for learning through trial and error - I learned a lot about what doesnt work Pick up a copy of the Finch book from Lowes and Frank Marlow's book "Welding Essentials" and pay attention - you can teach yourself the basics and get rolling pretty quickly.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomIf that is true then WHY are there so many beginners on this forum that need to know so much beginning info?Do you know how to light a oxy-actyelene torch and turn it off and on properly and how to store it properly?I have not seen ANY videos that talk about the importance of leaving the guard on your 4 inch grinder.I have seen NO videos that talk about wearing the proper clothing for welding.I have seen no videos that explain the different welding lenses for the different welding processes.I have seen NO videos explaining HOW TO PREPARE a proper welding coupon for learning how to weld.I have seen NO videos for explaining how to weld a simple rectangular metal frame together. Inside or outside ,opposite sides etc.,.I have seen NO videos to help a person determine which type of welding machine would fit their needs .I have seen no videos talking about protecting others from welding arcs or grinding and even have seen pets laying in the path of grinding and welding.But I HAVE SEEN many people on the welding forums asking some of the right questions.Then we never hear back from them after they buy a welding machine and we know that is when more questions must certainly come up.I looked some videos up like EXPERT VILLAGE which I liked but it was hit and miss.The other problem is what if the beginner does not have a computer or blackberry?Yes they can go to the library. Will they?
Reply:I hate to be the new guy and say anything, but I would just like to from a stand point of a beginner. This is not directed at anyone or any information you shared. Just a outside nobody looking in you could say. In every forum I have been on about different types of hobbies etc... that deal with woodworking, metal working and etc... it is always pushed to take a class. Now, don't think I see anything wrong with that and it is good advice. However in a situation such as mine there is no way I can take a class. It would have to all be self taught. As much as I would love to go to the votech 2 blocks away it can't be done for the fact you have to sign up for a fulltime class. Well I have a fulltime job even though I can't work right now. I can't give up my job for the class. The next best thing is finding someone that may be willing to share their skills with you and show you the ropes for lack of better words. That is another problem in itself. A lot of people don't want to deal with that for whatever the reasoning. Maybe they don't have time, want someone in their shop they don't know or whatever else. Then you run inot someone like me that is just wanting to learn and actually build something. I don't mind trying to figure stuff out on my own since all other options don't exist for me. However I don't know what to buy, avoid, lingo and all the rest of the stuff. That is what makes it intimidating starting a new hobby. You just don't know so you sit and think about it all the time and never make it happen. Same thing happened when I was woodworking. For 2 years I had everything I could ever need to build whatever sitting in the garage rusting away for the simple fact I just didn't know how to do what I wanted. I tried researching it, but could never find anything that helped me. Finally a gentleman I know offered to help me get started and show me things I needed to know. Now I sit here today wanting to get into welding. I know it will never be a career thing for me, but I want to just build somethng for my own use and personal therapy you could say. I am just not in a place where I can justify walking away from a job to attend a class that is 4 days a week. Sure if everyone workded on my time frame then I would take everything I could, but it don't work that way. I have to try and rely on forums, books and all that. When it comes to buying equipment the intimidation factor increases. I like most people would like the best of everything, but can't justify for a hobby use. I want something easy to use and a small learning curve. I do however believe in buying quality equipment and think it saves a lot of aggrevation. I want something I can use for the simpilest of tasks or to build a supporting structure for something. However not 1 tool can do it all and I know that. I don't want to go buy something that in 3 months is no longer of use to me and have to turn around a buy something better. I know it may end up being one of those things if I can actually ever get started there may be several different pieces of epuipment laying around here. I want to build stuff as simple as flower pot stands to a car hauler. I do have some experience in stick welding and use of a torch. Thing is I don't like to stick weld. However I have never tried other types so I can't say what I would engoy more. Anyway that is just my little input. Mostly it consists of a lot of people push taking a class, but in reality that isn't always an option. The OP seems to have that option, but wants to go ahead and get started learning on his own. I don't see where that is a problem. Not like the first guy to ever weld something had a class to attend. Not trying to be smart, but there are other reasons why things must be done a certain way.
Reply:I worked a full time job plus went to a tech school full time plus took care of my family and took care of my father all at the same time.  If you really want to take classes then you make the time to do so not make excuses not do it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Big65moparI worked a full time job plus went to a tech school full time plus took care of my family and took care of my father all at the same time.  If you really want to take classes then you make the time to do so not make excuses not do it.
Reply:Cowchaser - I don't think that Big65Mopar meant that as an insult to you - he was probably just offering some encouragement to folks.It always boils down to priorities.  In my life, welding classes simply didn't make the top 10 priorities so I taught myself on the evenings and weekends and it is working out fine.One important point which I think most of us understand is that a weekend welder is not as skilled as someone who gets paid (and trained) to do it professionaly - to quote one of my favorite fictitous cops "A man's got to know his limitations."I know that with my self taught welding skills there are things that I will still ask a pro to handle - and that is ok.I also know that I can now weld 90% of the stuff I have to deal with on my equipment without paying someone and I absolutely love it.I strongly encourage folks to teach themselves - it is a great hobby and you really can learn enough to be pretty productive by working through books, videos and asking the great folks on sites like this when you get stuck.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Definitely not an insult but I have met way to many people who had little standing in their way of doing what they need to do to accomplish the goals they talk about.  I was one of those people for far to long during my life and went to school at 39 so that I would not find myself working at walmart when I turned 45 and still struggling from paycheck to paycheck and juggling bills to make sure I could put food on the table for my wife and daughter.  I worked midnights and went to school during the mornings, my days off were in the middle of the week and school was out on the weekends so I was always on the go with no rest except for holidays from school.   My father is a double stroke and aneurysm surviver with a house that both him and his deceased wife left in a poor state of repair that I have been fixing up slowly.  My daughter is a special needs child and my wife stays at home with her and helps with my father but money is tight.  Your right I don't know you or your situation but I do know that if your serious about really wanting to learn welding as a career option which could very well put you into a six figure income in certain area's of the field then you will be willing to sacrifice time with family and friends, eat ramen and go without cable if its what you need to do to get into school.  Look into westinghouse corporation to get into their nuclear pipe welding training program which would be free to you if you sign a contract to work for them for a year or 2000 hours at $18.35 an hour, there are two locations in the south and south east.  Look into BAE systems in Norfolk VA to get into their welding training program, you'll work in the shipyard and get onsite training and education from Tidewater community college.  Look into Northrup Grumman soon to be Huntington Ingals for positions in welding and other related practices with on the job training including welding, blasting, mechanic, marine electrician, power plant, ect ect.  There are more options than people realize and coming here is one way to find out about some of those options.Good luck
Reply:Hey guys, I make youtube videos. I can come up with this sort of thing, if you all give me things to put into the videos... I already made a torch-cutting-101 video a little while back, and I think that my next video is going to be on basic safety. Housekeeping, being considerate of other people in your area, what to wear, defiantly the grinder guard thing, lenses, helmets, etc.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I understand what your saying big, but it really will only be a hobby for me. I work in pipeline now, but I am a controller. I  couldn't and wouldn't want to do what they do. I like my climate controlled operations console a little to much. I don't like working rotating days and nights with days off constantly changing every week, but hey it's all I have known for 14 years. Really I just want to make some cool stuff for myself and maybe someone else if they ask. Never hurts to bring in an extra few bucks a week when you can. Lanse, I would be interested in your video if you can provide me a link to it. I didn't see in the forum rules if you can use outside links, but if you can't it will be fine if you pm it to me. I would like to watch it. I plan one day to start to rebuild my wifes rodeo practice arena. The arena was originally built for her by her dad when he owned his oil business. When things were slow he paid the guys to come out and build it so they could draw a pay check. Some of it is starting to slowly break down from lack of upkeep for many years now. The calf shutes and stuff need rebuilt for roping, but for now it just use for when we seperate cow/calf pairs or have a load of calfs come in. We keep them in there while working them up and branding and so on. Most of any knowledge which is limited is along the lines of building cattle guards and pipe fence. I don't have my own equipment, but my father in law has a stick welder and torch and I want to get my own stuff, but more interested in smaller projects for now. I am their saddle cutting grunt you could say. I am really debating on the Miller 211 since I only have 110 available at this time. Maybe later I can upgrade some of my electric and add a 220 outlet.
Reply:Maybe Father-In-Law would be happy to show you something about his stick welder; if he thinks you are interested and learning you might get a permanent loan of his equipment.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