I know nothing

curiositykilled... - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 12:18am

I know nothing about welding except that the welder is used to heat metal and fuse it together (is that close at all?) but I do have an interest in it as my husband & a friend of ours enjoys it. I would like to buy Christmas gifts for my husband and our friend that would be welding-sculpture related but don't know what/where to start. Any suggestions? What kind of tools or gadgets are useful, whats a good, all around resource that I could get to learn more about this? Appreciate any help you can give me. I'd like to do more than just know about it, I hope to participate in it with my husband. Thanks!

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Where are you? There are all

Gene Olson - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 8:26am

Where are you?
There are all sorts of helpful organizations around the country.

Tools depend a lot on the sort of work that you want to do and I say that seriously. If you see something you'd like to try, shoot for tools with overlapping uses... for both of your interests.

What sort of things does he like to work on? Sheet metal, heavy steel, non ferrous . . .
How big are you working?

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

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I live in southwest

curiositykilled... - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 9:33pm

I live in southwest Missouri. I'm not sure of the metal other than "scrap metal." I guess I need to do some research before I even know what kinds of questions to ask or direction to start hunting. Thanks for the tips. Any other info you can share, I'd gladly accept!

Happy Thanksgiving

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curiositykilledthecat

visitor - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 3:17am

One easy thing to figure out a bit what the metal is, is weather it is magnetic. Will a magnet attract to it? I yes, it is some form of steel. If not, then aluminum (it is lite weight)but could also be magnesium, if silver and a bit heavy it may be zinc, if gray and very heavy it is most likely lead, if copper color,,,,, well copper, may be brass but is can also be yellow, white and other colors, might be bronze, and if sort of silvery and hard and may or may not be slightly magnetic, most likely stainless steel. Then there is also cast iron. There are other metals but I think these are the most common, with steel being the most likely as it is the most common.

Steel can be gas,stick,Mig and TIG welded. Aluminum can be welded best (I think) via TIG, but Mig and gas can be used too but a bit more difficult. Magnesium, stay away from it, it can burn and water makes it burn hotter. zinc can be soldered but not welded. Lead can be soldered. Copper alloys and copper can usually be TIG welded some more difficult than others. Mig and gas can be used for some purposes. Most Stainless can be gas, TIG, Mig or stick welded. cast iron is a bit special, can be gas welded, stick welded (special rod)and TIG welded. I do not think it can be Mig welded easily but it can be done. Usually major preheating and very slow cooldown is required no matter what method is used. Steel can be joined using all methods, each having different pros and cons. Wish you were closer as the best way to figure all this out is with a visit, but the Washington Penn. is a bit distant for an afternoon of playing in the shop (unless you are going to be out this way for a visit anyway). We feed visitors well and love to play in the shop.

Glad to have you on the list.

John Dach

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Dear curiositykilled,It was

J.R. Tamayo - Friday, November 23, 2007 - 9:29am

Dear curiositykilled,

It was less than a year ago that I first picked up a MIG welder (and other various metalworking implements). I would suggest doing what I did, which is reading up first. A good intro book is "Welder's Handbook," by Richard Finch. It covers MIG, TIG, Arc & Oxyacetylene welding. Again, this is only an introduction... there are other aspects and techniques to metal art, including cold forging, blacksmithing, and chasing, just to name a few. In most communities you can also find a weekend class, or other intro to metal art instruction. Try the community colleges, or contemporary art centers. Maybe someone on this site can suggest a good resource in your area.

Anyway, I hope that metal art will be the rewarding adventure for you, as it has been for me. I'm finally going to go out and clean up my shop, after a hot summer respite.

Happy welding, J.R.

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Dear Cat, give him some eye

John Hampton - Friday, November 23, 2007 - 10:50pm

Dear Cat, give him some eye protection. A second pair of goggles (for gas) or a helmet (for electric) is always useful. Plus, you can get in close to watch and learn when he gives you his old pair. The prices range from inexpensive ($25) to expensive ($250) depending where you shop. They all do the same thing. Good luck, John.

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Two thoughts: if for

visitor - Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 7:20pm

Two thoughts: if for yourself to join him in the venture. a local city college, high school, or welding shop sales room class might be a wonderful beginning.
They would have more equipment than you would ever need and you would learn what suits you the best for whatever you decide to aim at.
(And this will most likely change and grow if you keep at it).
Second thought is to just go to a welding shop, tell them your goal and set a limit as to how much you want to spend.
There are lots of assesories that make it more fun and easier and more satisfying. There are also huge amounts to spend one day if you find future goals working out. Start slower though. bpfink
PS. 3rd idea: A map to a scrap yard that likes to sell cheap pieces of odd metal hunks ad shapes to work with....

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