I'll go backwards and say that mig (gmaw) is hard to learn *PROPERLY* first. Tig (gtaw) is far easier if you have decent eye/hand coordination. Gas welding is very similar to tig. Heat in one hand, filler in the other, and can go as fast or as slow as you like - and even back up! You have to learn how to CONTROL the puddle before you start shooting a bunch of metal into it. Even if you only play w/ tig first, it makes mig far easier. Mig is just tig on cruise control if set up right. Just like drivers ed, you wouldn't want to learn to parallel park w/ cruise on either. The fundamentals are easiest to pick up at a walking pace.

If Kurts got two 220V drops, I could possibly drag the tig out to his house (as Dave can attest, one can barely walk in my garage.)

Kurt has both MIG and TIG.

Peter

Uh....YEAH! SOLD!!! I would love that....when, when, when!?!?!

Yeah, but you've got so much cool stuff in your garage that you can barely notice that you can't move.

Kurt and I have agreed to disagree on the "start with MIG" point before. ANYBODY that has an index finger can MIG weld....period. If you can flip a switch, twist a knob, and pull a trigger....BAM...you are a MIG welder. The problem is, there are WAY more BAAAAAD MIG welders out there than any other type. A modern MIG machine can do a lot, but few people learn good technique and do not understand the difference between a good and a bad weld (...a good "looking" weld doesn't automatically mean a good weld). MIG is a great tool, but sometimes difficult to learn heat control and proper technique.

Arc, TIG, and yes.... a favorite of mine....good old oxy acetylene are all better for learning heat control, but not nearly as easy to get started as a novice. Practice, practice is key to whatever you use, but it isn't a substitute for basic fundamentals.

Rather than spending a morning just learning TIG, I'd suggest 15 min demonstrating each of the other processes which would make for an excellent comparison. They all have strengths and work quite differently. Kurt...let me know if you plan a demo and I'll volunteer as your teacher assistant. If you guys take Kurt up on his Sat. training offer.....I suggest somebody drop a tip jar on the bench to compensate for consumables (gas, wire, etc.).

BWWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! :) :)

Added note: DO NOT bring galvanized stock!

Yep, good idea.

Make sure you use good ventilation if you do take up welding, and use proper eye shielding.

There is gathering discussion about welding gases leading to Parkinson's like symptoms due to inhaling too much manganese from the fumes. May be bunk, but best to use good ventilation. Also, beware of welding through zinc coatings - zinc oxide fumes can make you sick.

Welding is not that hard to pick up, so go to a class or two as suggested, use their tools and material, ask the instructor lots of questions, and amaze yourself at how you can liquify steel with house current.

I'll bring some titanium, yttrium, and palladium stock. After we weld those, then we can move on to the more difficult metals.

...then you haven't seen Kurts TIG. If it can be welded, that is the machine that can do it, and it will make breakfast afterwards.

Yes I agree if you have O/A gas welding under you belt Tig is no jump at all. Just add the foot pedal in rather than moving the torch in and out. I have a Miller Syncrowave 250 with pulse and I share toys if they are treated well. It can be hard to learn to run heat up and down when you are spending 3/4 of your time grinding freshly dipped tungsten. I'll get some more for steel. I can run Tig and the 120 V Mig at the same time. The Tig and the 220v Mig share a breaker.

Good point. Uncoated steel only please.

Again I agree on most points. Mig is an overly abused process. Pulling the trigger only means you HAVE a Mig machine not that you are a weldor. It has in large part due to cheap import machines replaced stick as the weekenders main molten metal mending method. Real weldors sometimes call Mig the "Hot glue gun" and you can lay a real purdy but worthless bead right on top of some metal if you don't follow the basics. You can also lay down clean, slag free and strong welds with little HAZ and for less cost per foot than most other methods. RTFM!

How about this for a big ass burning metal and burgers day? Beers, burgers and chips after the weldin's done. I'll show some of the basics on welding with a Mig and go over the basics of joint prep. SMD and Andy C can take any that are not glassed over from boredom from my prattle and introduce them to Tig while I start cooking some meat. (On the grill rather than just my non torch or gun holding hand as normal:oops:). Bring some 1/2 plate and we can turn the Miller 251 dragon all the way to 11 and spin my electric meter right off the wall :twisted:
Stick will have to be another day. I never bothered to get a stinger (Stick welding handle) for the Syncrowave and gave away the only buzz box (stick welder) Helmets will be the limiting point I think. I have one Auto dark and two fixed glass. I think we can set things up so the non welding or watching folks don't get UV fried while telling track slack like "I built my race car all myself" or the like :roll:



Let me check with the all mighty oracle for when we can have a Dorki stand around and shoot the BS day. (Translation, Ask my dear wife) Some Sat when there are no track days or Tech and when the guys that can really weld can make it. I'm just the hot glue gun guy.

Wavers will be signed...