new guy with questions

[plunkinberry]

I'm new and have been lurking and learning for a few weeks - this is a GREAT site. I learned a lot about which machine I may pursue in the "more confused than ever" thread.

I want to learn to weld; I have for some time. I am getting to the point when/where I would like to proceed and have several questions, Several of which were answered in the other post. I learned to stick weld (poorly, if I do say so) in high school, but that has been over 10 years ago...

I have the option to learn to weld from several experienced welders that I know - all have expressed a willingness to help out. Now don't get me wrong, its not that I don't want to go this route, its just that I'm kind of worried about picking up their bad habbits and the like. I don't want to learn wrong... I have looked at taking a class at a local community college, but they are expensive and take a LOT of time which I just can't manage (with 2 small kids and a wife that decided to go back to college) on a regular basis. I have looked at classes at the local VOTech, but they don't offer them regularly. Are classes available any place else? Like a one-day learning (thinly veiled sales pitch) seminar?

When I choose what welder to get, whether stick, wire feed, or mig, I KNOW that I must begin by practicing - a LOT. How do I determine if my penetration is sufficient? What should it look like?

Sorry for the long winded disertation... And thanks for the help in advance.

[Al T.]

You should jump on the chance to learn from experienced weldors. You can't put a price on that and maybe get paid in the process.

While you learn you can attend night classes at a local college to get closer to being certified.

As far as not wanting to pick up their bad habits, just don't stay out all night drinking with them.

[Roger]

At least you should remember shop saftey practices from High School and a little about how to weld.

Go to this site and down load steel worker volume 1 & 2.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/navy/nrtc/index.html

Practice at least once a week with one of your friendly welding buddies. Try to practice daily on your own if you have a welder. You will soon know which expert is better teacher. Build some projects that can't hurt somebody to get fitting experence. Put your name on waiting list at Votec school for class that fits your life. Look for used stick welder that plugs into 220V single phase or new MIG welder. Don't buy 110 V stick welder. Nothing wrong with used MIG welder from major manufacture but hard to find.

[atucker]

You can download the WHOLE thing at once by using this link:

https://www.advancement.cnet.navy.mil/products/web-pdf/tramans/fullbook/14250.pdf

AND

https://www.advancement.cnet.navy.mil/products/web-pdf/tramans/fullbook/14251.pdf

Not sure where I got the links, but it's easier than doing a chapter at a time.

Allen T.

[Guest]

Don't worry about picking up bad habits from experienced weldors...they may have different styles, but you can still take what you can and apply it in your own style. That is the BEST way to learn... from someone who is already getting paid to weld! You see something you like...then emulate it.

Those of us who have had that same opportunity, do just that. I was fortunate to have the experiences of 15 or 20 old timers, which I learned invaluable tricks of the trade you don't find out in school.