Best way for an old(er) guy to learn to weld

[alha]

I've decided that I am going to get a welder for the shop I'm building, but I haven't welded since high school 25 years ago. Did some training at vo-tech, it was offered to us back then, for high school credit. If I remember correctly, I could lay down a pretty good bead, but those were with 18-year-old hands and eyes, and it was mostly stick welding, steel, and I am going to be getting a MIG/TIG setup to do steel, aluminum, etc. Any consensus on picking it up again? Go back to school for some basic courses, or just get the welder & a book/tape and some metal and go for it, or find a good welder who would work with me a bit? I'm a little worried that if I just get it & go, I'll pick up some bad habits, or it might take me a lot longer to get it right, as opposed to being shown the correct way to do it, from the get go. What are your thoughts?

[burninbriar]

I am a big beleiver in learning to do things right the first time, although I dont always practice it. If you havent done so already, there is alot of good info to help get started on Millers home page. http://www.millerwelds.com/
Use the buttons at the top to download instruction manuals, and view differant machine options to find one to suite.
I've been welding off and on all my life and would still like to have some formal training if cost, time exc. would permitt. Tofind a good welder to help you get started would be a good idea also.
One of the first things I would sugjest is to make a list of every thing you think you will weld to help in the machine decision.

[Sundown]

I started welding about 5 years ago now, and just turned 65 last september. If you can get some classes then it is probably the best way to get correctly grounded, I could not do that as the local Vo-Tech classes offered then were for those who already employed in the field only. The most help that I recieved was belonging to the "Weld Talk" forum that is sponsered by Hobart. The members on that forum were great and very helpful in telling me what I was doing wrong and helping me to correct it. I think you should see if you can detirmine what your needs will be, and since you did weld at some time in the past maybe pickup a 220 amp AC/DC arc welder and go for it. If you think that you want to start with a mig welder and only want to ever buy one for home use then my recommendation would be the Millermatic 210. Searching the archives here and on the Hobart forum on the "MM210" will answer the question as to why I would recommended that mig welder. Anyway the short answer to your question about being to old to learn welding is a definate "no you are not, IMHO". I should add that this fourm is not that same as it was 5 years ago, then it was mosty directed to racing and was in a different format, now it is almost the same format is Hobart's and has become a great resource. Some will not agree with movng from the old format but in my opinion it now serves many more people.

[jeffscarstrucks]

It sounds like all of your thoughts are right on track to me. If you have a place to take a class or two that would be your best bet. A good hands on guy in the trade is always good and the Miller material is a refrence that you will use for years to come. This is the same track I took some time ago and I've never regreted spending the time learning ! The most important part of your education is PRACTICE. The good thing about taking a class is that you get to use the school's power and supplies....it turns out to be a pretty good deal. Good Luck, JEFF

[fun4now]

a class is always the best way to start, if thats not an option the start by getting the Miller student package, you will get a free jacket also when you get your welder another + , next go to the shops you will be getting your welder and suplys from and talk to them you may find some one willing to work with you there, also check with any small fab shops localy they may be willing to help you lern (might have to therw them a few$$$$) bolth of thease sorces have offerd to help me, the dealership offerd to work with me as long as it took to lern TIG if i bought my TIG there (well werth the $$ diferance between local and internet $$)

some might disagree on this but my BWE helmit has made a huge differance, a good auto dark hood has realy helped me to see every thing better and as such i have gotten better controle.

i agree the MM210 is an exilent hobby/ work welder and will likely handel anything you will threw at it at home . add the spool gun for more versitility.it will pare up well with the dyn200DX or as sundown went the TA-185 & a spec.375 to cover most all your hobby needs.

i would start by ordering the student pack, it will help you to decide what weld proceses you are looking for and will be a great set of reference matereal for the future.after going threw the student pack you will be beter prepared to decide what your welding needs are going to be so you can make a better choice of welders. best to buy them right the first time as they can add up to some sereous investment $$$ and you will want to invest properly the first time. also this and the hobart board have a great set of people willing to help, get a digital camera if you dont have one as during the lerning process a picture realy is werth a 1,000 words here.;) most of the new cameras take prity large pic's so a good resizer option is a must, i recomend the micrsoft pic resizer for win.XP its free from micro. just go to there site look up power toys and you will find it as a free download.

good luch, keep us posted on your progress, and by all means you are never too old to lern, welding will serve you well for many years to come, and will save you some sereouse $$$ . you will be suprised how often you use it once you lern it , most of the stuff ya used to threw away and replace will now be an excuse to play with the welders insted.:D

[budman]

I just finished a Layout class and Stick (SMAW) class at the Tarrant County College. This was definitely the way to go. Confidence is up, and I am ready to start the next session which includes GMAW (Mig) and GTAW (Tig) classes. I will finish the course load during the first session this summer with
Flux Core Welding. Nothing like welding at least 4 days a week for at least 4 hours a day.

If you can, take some courses. If not, make sure you have access to someone who can critique your welds. In the end you have to strike an arc to get experience and get better. At 51 years young this is my 4th career (9 years as a fighter pilot active duty [still in the reserves, but stopped flying after the first Gulf War], Engineer for General Dynamics [2 1/2 yrs], Captain for Delta Air Lines [17 years], and it is super!

Good luck, and see on the forum!:D

[BillC]

"How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"

Vo-tech school also would be a good way to go if you can find a decent instructor.

I think you will find that welding is like riding a bicycle. You may not be as steady as you once were, but if you learned it right the first time then it should come back fast.

Bottom line: regardless of the process, watch the puddle.

Have fun!

[burninbriar]

Bottom line: regardless of the process, watch the puddle.


I guess old habbits are hard to break. As a little kid mom & dad always told me to stop jumping in the puddle, now that I'm tig welding I still keep jumping in the puddle. :eek:

[Ray C.]

Alha,
I,m 46 and only been welding a couple of years. I learned alot on this and the Hobart Weld Talk forums. I also have a few good books and videos. I took a basic class that helped and I really enjoyed it. I now have a couple different machines but the one I use the most is my MM210.
Good luck and have fun!

[alha]

Guys, thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. I work in IT, have for the past 15 years or so, and am starting to get burnt out. I will take a closer look at the vo-tech classes, and see if they offer evening sessions. I have one campus about 3 miles from my place, so I called them last week. They said that they quit offering the welding classes there, now only available at the north campus, about 20 mile drive each way, most likely during rush hour... :( Still might be worth it, but with a baby on the way in Oct, I had better get a move on if I want to get some arc time under my belt, while I still have any free time at all. ;)

I will also start a conversation with a local shop or 2, I think it would be beneficial to start a relationship with one, especially if I am going to go to school. Who knows, they may even offer a student discount? :D I plan on ordering most of the miller courses, not sure about the DVD's quite yet, they seem a little expensive for something that is only 10-20 minutes long. Has anyone purchased any of them, and if so, where they worthwhile? If so, maybe I could pick them up from someone who's used them, and has progressed past that point in their education.

I've heard a few people mention the Hobart forum, how would a person find that one? Sounds like there's good folk over there as well, sure wouldn't hurt to broaden my perspective, though I still think I'll be buyin' Blue :D

[burninbriar]

Heres a link to the hobart board.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/

[fun4now]

hobart
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=4
the site there is broken down a bit more than here it has a section for
welding proceses,welders,and welding projects. you can chose witch you want at the bottem of the screen where you find the askandy on this site. there is a lot going on over there and it can get a bit overloading on ya at times.:eek:
i havent herd a lot of good about the videos, askandy was talking about makeing one that would be werth looking at but it hasent apeared yet.:(

if the serch is working again do one on videos, some one once posted wher you could rent one insted of buying but i dont remember where sorry.

weather you get a school discount or not its good to have a good relationship with your welding suply guy as you will be seeing him from now on as you realy cant get consumables on line at a price that will alow shipping to be done without being over local $$$ so its realy the best option to have a good local guy, also gas will be needed regularly too.;)

[fun4now]

shoure nice short post so you get to anser first:rolleyes:
if you had no life like me you wold make long posts and always be 2nd too LOL:p

[bperrybap]

Talk to the guys at your local welding supply shop.
They refered me to a local HighSchool that offered evening
welding classes. I took a 6 week class that covered stick, & mig.
We also got to cut metal with acetylene and a plasma cutter.
It was only $100 and it got me a nice discount with the welding
supply shop for anyting I bought during the class period.

--- bill

[Sundown]

Video's can be rented here http://technicalvideorental.com/ , I know what you mean about burning out on IT, before retiring three years ago I was the manager of a large DP shop, took me 16 years to pitch it, best thing I ever did for sure. Check out the Hobart forum, great people over there and mostly nobody cares what color machines are even though some will push one or the other, I have my favorites also but they are three different colors depending on the process , as long as you keep to the name brands you should be ok.

[alha]

bperrybap, That's a great idea, never thought of high schools, I will pursue that angle too. Just did a quick look at my local HS course list, and they do have a class called Applied Technology, "A traditional machine/metals class that is oriented to the construction of a super-mileage vehicle that is completed in Applied Technology II. Curriculum is applicable to industry standards. Students will acquire useful techniques in the machining, manufacturing, welding and fabrication trades. This course is highly recommended for any student considering further work/study in the field of Engineering." Not sure if this is what I am going to be looking for, seems like welding is an afterthought, but that is the only one that mentions welding/metal work at all. Who knows about the after school/evening offerings, they could still offer classes, of course. :) Won't hurt to give em a call to find out.

>fun4now shoure nice short post so you get to anser first :rolleyes:
>if you had no life like me you wold make long posts and always be 2nd too LOL :p

I know, tell me about it, my posts seem to get to be novels... :o Thanks for the advice and the link, I will check them both out, the welding shop hopefully on Monday over lunch. Maybe they will have some ideas about other training options, like the ones y'all have come up with here.

[neophyte]

Best way for an old(er) guy to learn to weld.

With:
Good instruction.
A safe place to practice.
A good set of reading glasses and welding helmet.
And limited caffeine in the morning. :)

Some days will be good.... others not so good.... just keep at it.

Welcome aboard!

[fun4now]

i'm not shoure they will ofer the Applied Technology class at night , if its like my high school was it will be a 3 hr class offerd to sr's and jr's (ops flip that LOL) but as welding is included its posible they will ofer the welding class after school. the other is a bit more than you are looking for unless you just have the time to spend :rolleyes: maybee i should look into one so i could have a life.:o
any how you atleast know they have the ability to teach welding so thats promising.;)
if the $$ is anything like the one bperrybap got thats agreat deal and will be well werth it. heck you could get the $100 back in discounts easily.:D

[burninbriar]

shoure nice short post so you get to anser first:rolleyes:
if you had no life like me you wold make long posts and always be 2nd too LOL:p
Its a dog eat dog world pal !!! Survival of the quickest. If youre going to talk, talk; if youre going to type, type; I got 160 gigabites, tell me, do you feel lucky.:eek: :D :p

[hankj]

Best way for an old(er) guy to learn to weld.

With:
Good instruction.
A safe place to practice.
A good set of reading glasses and welding helmet.
And limited caffeine in the morning. :)

Some days will be good.... others not so good.... just keep at it.

Welcome aboard!

Yeah, limit the caffeine, but Vodka's OK!!

Alha,

I'll second Sundown's sentiment. I could not find suitable instruction when I started either, and the wealth of knowledge of the members of this forum, and the Hobart forum (many of us visit both), and their total willingness toshare what they know, took me from the second inventor of bird excrement to a half-way decent weldor in a few years! I'm 64 with crummy eyesight and not-too-steady hands, and I do OK!

The problem with being a half-way decent weldor is that I sometimes start vast projects with only half-vast ideas!:rolleyes:

Hank

[fun4now]

I got 160 gigabites, tell me, do you feel lucky. :eek:
ummm:rolleyes: not a chance:(
must be nice, i got a dial up modem and a lousy carryer, spent 2hr's this morning logging on and off again just trying to be able to get my e-mail without it timming out on me and i couldnt get my brouser to load any sites at all.:mad: server sucks and the dial up isent helping. unforchanetly even if i could aford a dsl or other option it isent available out here, too many cow's not enough people for them to bother running the wires.:rolleyes: so the race is wone befor its even run, heck i cant even get to the track.:p