Welding - Where to start

[kahlid74]

I'm in the process of building a CNC machine (7x5 feet) out of Steel square tubing.  My friend is good at welding but I'd like to learn how to do it myself and do it in my basement.  Thoughts, equipment needed? recommended equipment?  Warnings?  What to watch out for?  how to practice? 

Any input/Advice would be awesome.

[ChadTower]

Grab your microwave and head to lilshawn's house!   

[Furry131]

Grab your microwave and head to lilshawn's house!   

Lol!!!!! :-D

[kahlid74]

Grab your microwave and head to lilshawn's house!   

I thought about it and then I was like "I want something more commercial".

[ChadTower]

I thought about it and then I was like "I want something more commercial".

Oh, sure, turn your hobby into a Christmas thing, go ahead.   

[Le Chuck]

Figure out what material and thickness you're most likely going to be working with and that will help determine what strength welder you need.  I'm getting ready to buy a welder myself so I've been scanning welding forums, it's a good place to start.  I can already braise and acy/oxy weld so I'm moving into stick welding so I can get more robust and deeper welds.  As for practice, that's the fun part.  Once you decide on the type of rig you need then you can start watching videos on how to use it, get a good bead, and what to watch out for. 

Always wear PPE and always follow all safety guidelines for whatever rig you're picking and you should be fine.  I have a buddy that's a pro welder and once I get my rig he'll be coming over to give me lessons.  I figure that's probably the best way I can get my feet wet quickly.   

[lilshawn]

I ALMOST spit out my lunch. 

in all seriousness, check out MIG welding wire feed welders. They are easy to get into, easy to use, an produce a relatively good weld. most plug into regular 110 outlets making setting up ANYWHERE easy.

wire comes in a couple of varieties,in both solid and flux cored.

if you want a good weld, get solid, but you are also looking at using a sheilding gas (like argon). it gets pricey, but the results are much better.

flux cored wire is a little messy, but still works great. you just need to prepare to grind/file/wirebush your work afterwards.

try to buy one that does gas/no gas so if you decide you want to take a stab at gas shielded welding, you have to option to.

check out pawn shops, you could probably pick up a mid to top range Miller or Clarke MIG welder valued at 300 or 400 bucks for under 200.

[Howard_Casto]

I've been wanting to do this for a long time. 

We had this episode a few years back where we tried to "save money" by purchasing those crappy,, 200 dollar car ports.  Well the wind completely destroyed those, but I've got all of this steel tubing I salvaged from them.  I could make all kinds of stuff out of it.. If I had a welder. 

[lilshawn]

careful...if it's galvanized tubing, welding it makes some pretty deadly smoke as the zinc burns off. be sure to do it outside.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

edit: link