Welders in DFW area

Greg Cothern · October 23, 2010, 12:01:34 PM

Any of you guys have good welding skills in DFW? I a while back purchased a MIG welder and needing someone to help me learn how to do this stuff correctly..

Charles gave me a quick lesson a few months back at Allen's painting session, however I need closer more often instruction LoL...

TLRam1 · October 23, 2010, 04:21:29 PM

I'm a hack welder so I'm not much good to you.

Greg Cothern · October 23, 2010, 07:30:06 PM

So your wood and metal working are consistant??? Sorry couldnt resist..

I would like to learn proper technique etc and to have a good strong welder that looks good.

TLRam1 · October 24, 2010, 03:00:11 AM

Actually if I cut with acetylene torch, metal comes out better.

What brand and size Mig did you get? Migs are easier to weld with, stick was a little harder for me due to the stick sticking, stick is what I was taught on and used for many years.

Here is a pretty good site, to go deeper, keep clicking the links you want more info for.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/

Click Mig and do some reading also click on Find the Right Power Setting and click photos for closeups.

This will show you welds and what they should look like, I'm sure Charles went over proper heat penetration and such. This site will cover much of what you need to know and look for.

Probably many good sites out there, this is one I came across some time back when I friend of mine bought a Mig.

At the least if you read from this site than when someone is teaching you, you will have a understanding of the terms and what you are being told to do.

Greg Cothern · October 24, 2010, 09:21:44 AM

Thanks Terry..

I bought a Northern Tool MIG 135 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332691_200332691 which is a renamed Hobart from what I have read etc.

Now dont go throwing Charles under the bus, keep in mind what "He" had to work with.... ME! LoL. I just need lots of practice, however practice only works if one practices correctly. This is where an experienced person around while I melt metal would be nice.

Curtis_Valk · October 24, 2010, 01:55:51 PM

Greg, Eastfield College has welding classes if you want to get the fundamentals right. I know going to school takes a big time chunk, but you will be learning correctly and can practice correctly at home.

QuoteActually if I cut with acetylene torch, metal comes out better.

Terry, maybe you should try it with wood (outside). After you burn the door up you can go buy one and inch shorter (and straight).

Curtis

Len Averyt · October 24, 2010, 02:20:35 PM

The nice thing about welding is, when you mess up you can grind it off and try again. Wood, unfortunately doesn't have the same properties.
LOL

Charles S Otwell · October 24, 2010, 05:13:44 PM

Greg one of the best ways to practice is to get yourself a good project, something small to start with, it will help keep you focused. I like working with one inch square tubing, 16 ga is good to start with. Stay away from thin sheet metal or thick plate until you get used to controling the temp and wire speed.
Maybe we should have a welding session or day without trying to work it in with a paint session

..

TLRam1 · October 24, 2010, 05:55:10 PM

Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 24, 2010, 01:55:51 PM

QuoteActually if I cut with acetylene torch, metal comes out better.
Terry, maybe you should try it with wood (outside). After you burn the door up you can go buy one and inch shorter (and straight).

Curtis

Once I'm through butchering my door, that comes next.

Greg Cothern · October 24, 2010, 06:13:33 PM

If I could squeeze in the time, a class would be great! But alas time is that thing most of us dont have enough of... Especially now that work has us starting our call time at 7pm vs 11pm. Grrrr.

I have been looking at lots of things around the house that I could make or fix LoL..

Yeah I guess I need to get some scraps and start laying down some lumps...

ronmag · October 24, 2010, 09:59:12 PM

Wish I was closer I would help you out. ronmag

Jumbobret · October 25, 2010, 02:54:10 PM

Wished I had more time, I could help. Maybe you could come to me? I'm in Arlington, real close to the new Cowboy stadium. Plus you could get these Spitfire parts out of here.

Smoked U · October 25, 2010, 07:37:34 PM

Quote from: Charles S Otwell on October 24, 2010, 05:13:44 PM
Greg one of the best ways to practice is to get yourself a good project, something small to start with, it will help keep you focused. I like working with one inch square tubing, 16 ga is good to start with. Stay away from thin sheet metal or thick plate until you get used to controling the temp and wire speed.

Ditto all that.

That's how I "learned" to gas weld and MIG weld projects here at the shop/house and I got the splatter to prove it.

kwale86 · October 31, 2010, 09:30:02 AM

Remembering back to my welding class - I learned on a stick welder and oxy/acetylene but you can start with mig. Start off with flat plates ( the more surface area the better) and just start laying beads. Learn to lay an even bead with a good pattern all the way through. Learn to watch the puddle and control its size, direction, and color. Once you get that part down, butt 2 pieces of flat metal together and practice joining the 2. This will help you learn to mess with the heat settings to achieve maximum penetration without burning through. When you weld the 2 pieces together, turn the piece over and note the penetration of the weld trough to the other side. From there, you can just get creative with the angles that you adjoin metals together, i.e. 45 deg angles, 90 deg, etc. Then start changing your weld positions to learn to work with gravity to keep the puddle moving consistently.