Jay1970Z Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Just started welding today, and damn, it is a really fun and interesting process. I was just practicing by welding some straight lines on some small pieces of steel, then started welding 2 and 3 pieces together and I'm getting the hang of it pretty quickly and making some decent looking welds . We just bought it the other day, its a Lincoln Pro-MIG 175 and we also got the aluminum kit and a tank of argon and one of CO2 to go along with it. I was using innershielded wire that came with it for now and it seems to produce a pretty clean weld. I think I'll practice with this stuff for now then start using the gas as I get more advanced. Anybody have any advice to help a novice welder practice, I just can't get enough of it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 If you don't already have one, get an auto-darkening welding mask. I finally broke down and got one (now that 99% of my welding is done), an I wish I had gotten one years ago. Get one now!!!!! You will NOT regret it! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay1970Z Posted August 3, 2003 Author Share Posted August 3, 2003 Oh yeah, I'll definitely be buying one of those, right now I've just been using the small hand held one that came with the welder. Everyone I've talked to has said the autodarkening masks are a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Best tip I ever heard for welding (not that I've heard too many): Assuming you are right handed, hold the gun in your right hand, then wrap your other hand around, just like you were shooting a pistol. Stick your pinky out on your left hand, and touch the material. With your pinky touching the material, you have another reference as to how far you are from it. Your pinky will steady you as well. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Best tip I ever heard for welding (not that I've heard too many): Assuming you are right handed' date=' hold the gun in your right hand, then wrap your other hand around, just like you were shooting a pistol. Stick your pinky out on your left hand, and touch the material. With your pinky touching the material, you have another reference as to how far you are from it. Your pinky will steady you as well. Jon[/quote'] Yes, what Jon said. Although, my friends are still amazed that I do my welding with one hand (very steady hands). Just recently I have purchased an auto tinting helemt and love it, leaves your other hand free to hold the piece, or for others, steady your hand. I learned just like you and had a blast! Quick tip, do not weld in your basement. The 20 gallon container you are using for a garbage pail may contain some fumes from degreasing some parts in the pail from the other day. Do not weld around this pail. You will see much flames and yelling to get out of the way, while the pail is making it's way to outside flaming, because your dumb@ss forgot to bring in the fire extinguisher downstairs . Something that nobody ever told me was that the fumes from welding were dangerous to your health. Weld outside or have a vent above your workstation if you are inside. The only thing about welding with gas is that you really cannot weld outside in winds above 5 mph, or so I'm told. Have fun and be careful. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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