Hello Everyone! - New Here

[kfriend]

Hello everyone.

I'm new to the welding game. Recently picked up a baby-mig welder (hobart handler 125) mainly for putting in patch panels on my 57 Chevy Pickup.

I don't have any experience welding, but I'm very anxious to learn. I know nothing beats hands-on training, but it isn't really feasible for me at the moment.

I'm hoping that perhaps some of you gentlemen could recommend some good literature to help me on my way.

Additionally if you have any tips/tricks for welding sheetmetal I'd appreciate the input.

[cope]

Welcome aboard. Best deal on books is at Miller's site under educational tools. For $25 you get a complete set of books and a 3 pc calculator set for Stick, MIG and TIG.

http://www.millerwelds.com/

[Hobart Expert Rock]

KFRIEND...........AH WELCOME ABOARD INDEED..... YOUR THE FIRST HERE WITH A 125 HANDLER...............DID YOU PURCHASE THE ONE FOR FLUX CORE OR DID YOU GET THE ONE WITH THE GAS VALVE IN IT..............?........... I THINK TO JUST START OUT LET'S GRAB SOME SCRAP MATERIAL MAYBE SOME FENDERS........... WELL NOT OFF OF THE 57 CHEVY OF COURSE.......BELAIR OR POST........?... LET'S JUST LAY DOWN A BEAD RIGHT ON TOP OF THE SCRAP AND SEE HOW WE DO................ OR IF YOUR MORE SKILLED LET'S DO SOME BUTT JOINTS SHALL WE................ I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE MACHINE............. GOOD OR BAD I (WE) WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.............. WE JUST INTRODUCED THIS MACHINE A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK SO LET EVERYONE KNOW PLEASE...........................OH AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASE.......................BE SAFE AND ENJOY THE SITE.... THEIR ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS HERE ONLY THE ONES NO ONE POSTS.................................ROCK........ .
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[jgor]

Welcome Kfriend,

I'll second what Cope said about the Miller books. Lincoln also has some good ones. Also check with the technical high schools and colleges in your area for classes. I've taken two class and while they haven't made me a great welder I've gone from no experience to being able to weld things together somewhat well. And they teach you how not to hurt yourself too!

John

[kfriend]

Yeah the 125 is a baby compared to the rigs you guys are running. Truth is, I don't have alot of money to invest into a nice welder. I figured the 125 would be more than sufficient for what I'm trying to do.

+Purchased the Flux Core model. Will probably upgrade it later when I have some more money, and after I have learned the basics.

+It's a 57 Chevy Truck.

+I've got some scrap metal and I have tried laying a few beads down (speed set at 30-40 and voltage set at 1) They don't look like "Caulk" beads, they are more just flat all the way across. I don't really get a "Puddle" like I did when I tried arc/stick welding. If I leave the electrode on the sheetmetal for too long I get a nice hole.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS MACHINE
I don't have anything to compare it to, but I will say that I love it. For the price, you can't really go wrong. For another $100 I should be able to set it up for shielding gas (right?). It should be capable of handling the small stuff that I need it for. I'm having fun with it.

Thanks for the recommendations on literature. I'll let you know how I make out. And you gentlemen get to look forward to all my newbie questions.

[Roger]

The gas kit will be nice for thin metal used by modern cars. 125 amp mig is all you need for car body work. Would be nice to have more if making jeep bumpers & skid plates.

Have fun and let us know how your welding goes.

[Jerry]

Hello Kfriend,

The 125 will work great for body repair and then some. But if more power is needed you could always get a cheap buzz box and the stick will help you burn into a lot heavier materials.

[kfriend]

"More Power" must be first approved by The CEO (aka Mrs. KFriend).

[banzaitoyota]

Just tell her how much $$$$$ you will save

[R. Nelson]

Re: Hello Everyone! - New Here

Originally posted by kfriend
Hello everyone.

I'm new to the welding game. Recently picked up a baby-mig welder (hobart handler 125) mainly for putting in patch panels on my 57 Chevy Pickup.

I don't have any experience welding, but I'm very anxious to learn. I know nothing beats hands-on training, but it isn't really feasible for me at the moment.

I'm hoping that perhaps some of you gentlemen could recommend some good literature to help me on my way.

Additionally if you have any tips/tricks for welding sheetmetal I'd appreciate the input.

Welcome K,....you came to the right place.