A Beginner’s Guide to Welding (2024)

FAQs

Can I teach myself to weld? ›

However, it is possible to learn welding at home through videos and online tutorials, with plenty of practice. If you have a safe space, like a garage, to set up a welding shop, you can learn to weld with a wire-feed welder that uses ordinary household electrical current to produce an extremely hot electric arc.

MIG (metal inert gas) welding is an excellent choice for beginning welders. This easy-to-handle machine is usually spool-fed to create professional-looking joints on both thick and thin metals. MIG welding requires separate shielding gas but doesn't require chipping and cleaning slag as the stick welding process can.

Generally speaking, MIG welding is the easiest form of welding to learn, and the easiest torch to operate. And while Stick welding can also be a quick study, it's more difficult to master. Stick is the oldest form of arc welding — around since the 30s — and is still considered the only choice for many veteran welders.

1. Ensure the cleaning of the material and place to be welded. Before starting any welding procedure, make sure that everything is free of impurities. Contamination damages the final result.

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is widely considered the most challenging welding process to learn. The sheer complexity of the technique requires more practice and focus to master than other less-technical welding methods. TIG welding also results in some of the strongest and sturdiest welds in the industry.

A welder must be familiar with fractions, decimals, geometry, formulas and trigonometry. With these math skills, a welder can make strong welds regardless of the type of material used. However, knowing the melting point of a metal is only one useful math skill in the welder's arsenal.

Some argue that stick welding is stronger than MIG welding, since it offers better penetration for thicker materials. However, MIG welding can provide good welds despite not being as effective on thicker metals, and is better for joining thinner metals with a good finish and less risk of burn-through.

MIG welding is much easier to learn and master than TIG welding. TIG welding requires the use of two hands, one to move the welding torch and the other to feed the filler rod into the weld pool. Plus, there is often a foot pedal with which you can control the amperage.

While many welding instructors encourage their students to practice with an E6010 electrode, the E6013 electrode is rarely mentioned but very easy to use. Relatively inexperienced welders can create excellent welds with the E6013 electrode.

For primary welding training, programs typically take six months to a year. Functional welding training programs may take longer, and all welding programs will vary moderately depending on the school. A Welding course will not need as long as other, more traditional areas of studies need.

What does 135 mean in welding? ›

135 metal active gas welding (MAG welding); 136 tubular cored metal arc welding with active gas shield; 141 tungsten inert gas arc welding (TIG welding);

MMA welding (process number 111) is a fusion welding procedure. More precisely, it is a metal arc welding procedure.

Once you have gained enough skills and experience, you could complete a state welding certificate that affirms your skills and knowledge. Some important statistics and notes to consider: Welding is considered one of the most difficult skills to learn. Approximately 60% of welding students drop out of training programs.

The 280-hour Specific Process Welding Program will take approximately eight weeks, the 400-hour Welding Program – 12 weeks, the 900-hour Advanced Welding Program – 26 weeks, and the 1300-hour Master Welder Program – 36 weeks.

Stick welding is one of the oldest types of welding and is still widely used today on various applications, such as construction and earth moving equipment, thanks to its simple technique. While it may not be as easy as MIG welding for a beginner, it's definitely not as hard as TIG welding.

Learn welding as a hobby by signing up for classes or workshops through your local welder, community college, or trade school. Use free online resources to further your studies.