Learning to weld

Just thought I would throw this out there to anyone in the SoCal area. Where did you all learn to weld ? Was it from a friend or was it through a school. I really want to learn how but I don't have someone to teach me. Is there any good schools around SoCal that you all know about?

honestly dude, if you would like to learn how to weld, get yourself a welder that will fit your application. you can buy a pretty nice kit for under 600 depending on the welder. we have a lincoln 175HD 220v. welder that will take flux cored wire or regular wire. the kit i got came with a video so if you get one i would recommend that. the video was helpful when setting it up and what not but it just takes practice. im no pro at it either but i think its a relativley easy task to teach yourself. im not saying dont go to school for it. since your from the victorville area, the victor valley college has welding classes you can take and whatnot to teach you the basics, welding techniques, welding styles, and orientations. ive found the best way that works for me is asking question on here about "why is it doing this or why is it doing that? what can i do to fix it" and so on. everyone welds differently to an extent its just what you feel comfortable doing. the best way is to just get out there and weld stuff together and dont be afraid to turn the dials.

not to highjack your thread, but what do you need to do to weld stainless to regular carbon steel?

me and my buddy split a welder and i went from there. its not something you learn overnight thats for sure..... practice makes perfect. its also a good idea to look at a lot of shop websites or the owner profiles to see how people are doing things. just mess around a lot on scrap before you do the real thing.

I am in Victorville and I can help you out..

Originally posted by low mazda



not to highjack your thread, but what do you need to do to weld stainless to regular carbon steel?

nothing itll weld just fine. just grind it good.

i live in victorville and im going to victor valley college and taking some courses on how to learn to weld. i start on the 23rd of this month, i think thats a good point to start, and getting a welder like holcombe347 said.....didnt bobby from sadistic do your setup? ask him where to start he would know better then anybody.

Basic Mig welding isnt that hard to learn, you can pick it up if you mess aroung with it for awhile "after many stuck wires"..I'm not saying your gonna be Jesse James in a month but you can learn it...That being said, school isnt a bad idea if you have one handy..I took welding for 2 years in Vo.Tech when I was in HighSchool here in Kentucky and our Vo.Tech offered night classes for adult students. So you might want to look into it, you'll learn alot of things that you might not figure out on your own. But honestly Mig isnt that hard to pick up, Tig on the other hand is a bitch, I never could Tig weld, but I did get damn good at blowing VERY large holes in sheets of aluminum with a Tig.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT WELDING IS HEAT AND WIRE SPEED. THE MORE SPEED, THE HOTTER THE WELD...TO A POINT. TOO MUCH SPEED, WELD PROFILE WILL BE TOO HIGH AND NOT ENOUGH PENETRATION. YOU UST NEED TO FINGD A HAPPY MEDIUM.