learning to weld

[GATimberdoodle]

DON'T laugh.

I took an art welding class. Learned the very basics of welding: safety, chopping, cutting, oxy-gas, stick, MIG over eight weekly classes.

It was cool, and would like to lean some more, but I DO NOT intent to become a certified professional welder, nor work in the field. But, I would like to make welds for myself that will hold together more than funky chicken lawn art.

I looked at the tech schools, and I am not throwing $7k for a degree I would never use, including their campus activity fees, parking fees, XYZ fees BS.

Question: having seen several welders on here, how could I go about learning to make good welds without paying for a degree? I have an oxy-gas setup & hand-me-down MIG, and was told to practice, practice, practice. Oxy-gas and MIG is what I would like to learn.

But, I believe, PERFECT practice makes perfect, not just making the same mistakes over and over. I'd like someone that knows welding to look at my welds, critique, and help me gain some competency. I'd gladly pay to learn the skill.
I am not looking to make pretty welds (though I appreciate them), but something that could hold up on a farm.

I am open to all honest, well meaning input. Thanks in advance.

 

[shootin4fun]

@Appalachian American might steer you in the right direction.

 

[8675309]

youtube

there are some seriously good welders showing you how to do it
all

 

[araomd]

subbed

 

[dixieammo]

Pm sent ,ill give you hand

 

[harrycalahan]

geezer could learn you a few things.

 

[galvatron]

Get yourself a good helmet from a well respected name in the industry, no Harbor freight crap. Everyone has their favorites so I'll leave the brand up to you.

 

[rbalan]

I have to weld stuff from time to time myself; Trailer repairs/upgrades, misc. brackets, landscape equipment, etc. My best welds are at the end of any project I'm welding on. If you have that kind of foundation, don't go too long in between your "practicing", or you'll end up like me (you can usually tell which welds I made first). I recommend a decent auto darkening shield from the get go.

 

[moosensquirrel]

I forget the spec, but there is a rod out there called colloquially "drag rod". You have to position the work so you are welding more or less flat, up, or down but not overhead. You strike an arc and the powdered flux on the rod dissipates at a controlled rate and keeps the arc at the right distance and temperature for simple "metal daubing". Having a good DC welding machine goes along way too instead of an AC buzz box which is difficult to control the arc and has a lot of spatter.

 

[imaybail]

This is a great resource.

http://weldingweb.com/