Search Community 

Home  Forums  The Car Lounge  The Car Lounge 

can you weld?

Jump to Latest Follow

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

1 2

Spike00513 · Registered  
S Joined Jul 13, 2012 · 539 Posts

Discussion Starter • #1 • 22 h ago

How did you get into it?

I don't even know where to start.

Seems like a good life skill to have. Thought I'd try learning it quick to build a truck part, only to find out it's
way more info to navigate than I thought.
I know there's some books out there. And in-person classes.
I guess forum posts to read.

I went from thinking "sparks = good" to, well, there's more to it.
For example I guess now I know:
-the Harbor Freight 125 Titanium welder is not strong enough for 1/4 steel, which is thin
-for 1/4 steel, they say you need 180 amps
-for above 1/4 steel, it's preferred the welder is 220v and MIG with argon gas shielding because apparently
gas reduces spatter and improves penetration

I guess penetration can be tested by cutting apart welded metal to inspect, or hammering it apart to check
strength on a sample piece.
Because besides looking good, if the part must have structural integrity (such as on a vehicle), it's no good
if it falls off the second you hit a bump in the road.
It seems the Harbor Freight 125 welder (sub-$200) is more for basic around the house repairs,
practicing/learning how to weld, and small things like stuck bolt removal. Because if you break the head off
a bolt on a car, you can weld another bolt onto the threaded rod and then turn that with a ratchet/wrench so
there's now something to grab onto.

I've even heard it recommended to buy more reputable brands but used secondhand to make price more
affordable.
That seems sketchy, given that everyone likes brand new things, and usually with any type of product (not
sure if this applies to welders), a seller could be hiding it doesn't work if it's 10+ years old, or even
intermittently after you buy it even if for one moment they're able to turn it on and use it demonstrating it
works only at that time

For any type of serious car builds, it seems necessary. Fabricating custom parts, exhausts, mounts, tube
frames, and so on.

Reply

Nourdmrolnmt · Registered
N Joined May 8, 2006 · 15,563 Posts

#2 • 21 h ago

When you tig the mig, ya gotta spot it before you get good enough to stick the plasma.

If ya can’t, then you arc the laser gas.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reply

vwpiloto · Premium Member  

E90 M3, S2000, 944S, 4Runner Trail, Mazda 3
Joined Nov 26, 2006 · 12,398 Posts
#3 • 21 h ago

A few community colleges offer welding classes around here. I’d look into that.

Thereafter it’s just going to be practice practice practice. You could find some local sheet metal shops snd
see if you can take their scraps. Or machine shops when you start welding aluminum too.

but above all, start with safety. Personal protection and fire suppression.

elite.mafia

Reply

Mr Miyagi · Registered  
1995 Audi URS6
Joined Aug 21, 2010 · 4,118 Posts

#4 • 20 h ago

No

https://womp.dev

Reply

x(why)z · Registered  
Joined Aug 1, 2010 · 1,906 Posts

#5 • 17 h ago

Yes, but not well. I agree with vwpiloto. Check out local technical and community colleges. I'm thinking of
doing the same.

Reply

beefjerky · Registered
 beefjerky · Registered  
Joined Dec 18, 2014 · 810 Posts

#6 • 16 h ago

I've welded a couple of bumpers (that were actually strong enough to push the cars with) and exhausts with
flux core, you need to pre-heat the metal with a MAP torch to get the weld to penetrate. I've attempted tig,
that's a whole different ball game and I've stuck a couple of pieces of steel plate together but I definitely
would not say I'm capable of tig welding. If you can't take a course, splurge on a welder and some metal,
watch some YouTube videos, and start practicing.

Reply

Rleatherman68 · Registered  
Joined 3 mo ago · 16 Posts

#7 • 16 h ago

Agreed. I started out on the farm learning a little dabbling. Then went to Votech for a couple of months to
learn the basics. Then yrs of practice, small repairs, then larger repairs. Done only stick and mig welding.

Reply

freedomgli · Registered  
F Joined Mar 25, 2002 · 12,396 Posts

#8 • 16 h ago

Yes but barely. MIG is easier and is useful for general automotive repairs of steel like patching bodywork or
making off road bumpers. TIG is best for serious performance auto fabrication like stainless, aluminum or
titanium pipe work. Oxy acetylene is still important for repairing many castings or thin wall objects. All three
require skill and lots of practice and the right equipment and it ain’t cheap or easy. School or apprenticeship
are the best ways to learn.

Reply

TSIGreg · Registered  
T Joined Nov 2, 2019 · 75 Posts
#9 • 15 h ago

My dad taught me how to stick weld when I was about 13. I think it's a great place to start even though it's
kinda out dated. Who doesn't like to chip the slag off and reveal a beautiful work of art? I'm still working at
mastering my TIG skills, TIG is def the most skilled welding.

Amsoil Independent Dealer No. 5692728

Reply

@McMike · Registered
Joined Oct 9, 2002 · 38,410 Posts

#10 • 15 h ago (Edited)

I have fixed a few things around the garage with this, but it's always hit and miss because I never know what
I'm doing exactly.

Never anything really structural, just stuff like redoing spot welds or making a t-bolt because my used roof
box was missing one of them.

Twitter | Rate something

Reply

child_in_time · Registered  
Joined Aug 9, 2006 · 1,506 Posts

#11 • 15 h ago

I have a cheap flux core arc welder that I use on occasion, but I would not weld anything that carries any
significant load or endangers someone’s life. Key to improving your skills is getting the basics down and
then lot of practice.
 Reply

CaleDeRoo · Registered  
Joined Jul 30, 2011 · 3,761 Posts

#12 • 15 h ago

I do it for a living. I failed out of college 2 or 3 times and chose a trade. What you've heard is correct. Buy a
used set up with welder, cart, gas etc, and don't cheap out on consumables. Sure you CAN buy a cheap
Hazard Fraught welder, and you CAN get by with cheap contact tips, liners, and wire but why make it harder
on yourself?

Instagram: calederoo

Reply

Alpinweiss2 · Registered  
A Joined Jan 9, 2017 · 615 Posts

#13 • 15 h ago

I learned to weld a number of years ago at the local community college. The class ran a full semester in the
evenings. Welding is not trivial; it takes a lot of skill and patience. It also takes expensive equipment for
more advanced techniques.
Although I have the basic welding knowledge, I usually hire a professional welding shop for anything
important.

Alpinweiß 2
2008 Passat 6-speed manual; 2017 Tiguan 4-Motion; 2021 Atlas 4-Motion;

Reply

Egz · Registered  
Joined May 30, 2002 · 18,958 Posts

#14 • 15 h ago

This is relevant to me. I would like to be able to do this. I just don't know what price point to spend on a
ld ( ht h thi th t t j k) I f tI li l t b tt it ll
welder (enough to have something thats not junk). I forgot I now live closer to a better community college,
so maybe they might do something next year.

Reply

TSIGreg · Registered  
T Joined Nov 2, 2019 · 75 Posts

#15 • 15 h ago

I'll throw this out there. The more you know (welding, fabrication, machining, painting, body work, auto
repair, etc, etc,) the less you want to pay others to do repairs and things for you. Which turns out to almost
be a pain, because it tends to create a seemingly endless TO DO list.

Oh, and don't forget; you'll always have friends wanting you to weld/repair things too.

Just something to keep in mind before you spend $2k+ on training & equipment.

Amsoil Independent Dealer No. 5692728

MGQ, Rleatherman68 and ghost03

Reply

patrikman · I’m not a loser. I’m a winnah!!  

Joined May 10, 2008 · 39,541 Posts

#16 • 14 h ago

I had a welding class 20 years ago, so I’d likely be able to burn some holes in thin sheet metal but that’s
about it. It’s all about technique and practice. The big thing is learning machine setup and being able to
recognize if the machine is setup properly or not, regardless of what type of welding you are doing. Most
people tend to look down on welders and think they are dimwitted but an excellent welder is actually an
artist.

this signature kills fascists.

Reply
 Nealric · Registered  
N Joined Feb 16, 2013 · 8,625 Posts

#17 • 14 h ago

It’s something I’d like to learn, but it’s very much a commitment. Most of the stuff I would be interested in
welding is safety critical, which means quite a bit of mucking about before I can do anything useful (not to
mention a grand or so in stuff to try started).

Reply

MiltDoggie · Registered  
M Joined 5 mo ago · 90 Posts

#18 • 13 h ago

I can't weld but heck can I solder good! Been doing it since I was 13

Reply

DneprDave · Registered  
D Joined Sep 8, 2018 · 185 Posts

#19 • 13 h ago

I took classes at a trade school and got certified, I can weld just about anything.
I haven't welded anything as my job in years, but I have a Harbor Freight Vulcan Omnipro 220 multiprocess
welder that works great, I recommend it as a hobby welder that will do it all.

2008 Passat VR6 3.6 4Motion Wagon, 2010 MINI Cooper S, Dnepr MT-16 motorcycle

Reply
 Senior Member · Registered  
Joined Jul 1, 2016 · 2,612 Posts

#20 • 13 h ago

Spike00513 said: 
How did you get into it?
I don't even know where to start.

I leaned tig welding from an Irish pipe fitter, you need a good machine and know how to set it up along with
proper argon purging.

I helped setting up DI water system, steam supplies, pumps, mixers, heat exchangers, etc...... the good old
days.

vwpiloto said: 
A few community colleges offer welding classes around here. I’d look into that.

Thereafter it’s just going to be practice practice practice. You could find some local sheet metal shops snd see if you
can take their scraps. Or machine shops when you start welding aluminum too.

but above all, start with safety. Personal protection and fire suppression.

Good luck finding opening, welding classes usually fill up quick with a long waiting list. As for welding
aluminum, you need to learn how to walk first before you start running.

Reply

1 - 20 of 29 Posts 1 2

Join the discussion

Continue with Facebook

 Continue with Google

or sign up with email

Recommended Reading

how to weld?
Body Work, Body Styling and Body Kits

19 2K

H heynicecar · updated Mar 6, 2004

Learning how to weld suggestions?

Body Work, Body Styling and Body Kits

5 988

J jawbrkr · updated May 24, 2010

Finally...a must have tool I've been needin....

Golf I & Jetta I

21 1K

V vdubspeed · updated Feb 28, 2008

Who knows how to weld?

The Car Lounge

24 1K

A AndrewT · updated Jan 15, 2002

question for the welders, home car repair guys and fabricators.
The Car Lounge

14 1K

J Jettavr666 · updated Jun 3, 2019

 Home About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Help Contact us

VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada

Forum software by XenForo 