Has anyone taught themselves MIG welding? Just wondering if it's a major undertaking. If you have what resources did you use...books, videos, etc? I ask because I have a quarter panel that may need replacement. Thanks, Mike
I taught myself. Mig welding is probably the easiest welding to do but it does take some practice to do it right. Especially when welding sheet metal. If you buy a new welder, it might come with an instructional video. I know Lincoln and Miller do.
I think most people are self taught. As already mentioned, MIG welding is probably the easiest to learn. Here's a good web site: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/basic-basics-welding-how-do-i-repair-body-panels-44009.html
See if any of the local vocational schools have classes that you can take at night.Maybe even a community college close by.You can teach yourself,but just like any skill being learned,there are bad habits you can pick up,and just having an experienced welder around for the basics really helps.Sheetmetal is kind of tough to weld,just because you have to really be careful that you don't put to much heat in it and warp it.Another thing,stay away from flux-core wire-use solid wire with a shielding gas(argon-co2) 75%/25%.I've been a welder for 30 years(taught for 10 years)Anyone can do it if you practice-and have the right equipment.
You have to stay in practice. A few months of no welding and your touch is almost lost. I know. Boy howdy, do I know.
I learned some stuff from my uncle(used to work on radiators) we just converted the Lincoln 100 to MIG for only like $100 and the welder only cost like $250 brand new-you can do pretty cool stuff with it
Graybeard has a great point. I am self taught but went to the library and read, read, read and learned about metalurgy (sp) maybe I didnt learn how to spell it. But knowing a bit about it makes you a more knowledgable welder. Dan
I think I'll try a little of both...formal training and some reading on the side. My worse fears are blowing myself up or having the section fall off as I drive down the road. I know both quarters were changed but the right looks a little funky. It doesn't line up with the door horizontally (the door sticks out 1/4" when closed), the marker light isn't flush (making it so would give it a bend) and there's a "hip" or flare...kinda like a Camero. If I put my hand flat behind the quarter window I can see daylight under my palm...judging by the left side this section shouldn't have that big a dip. The weld to the rocker also looks bad. I just have a gut feeling it'll need to be replaced. Mike
If you are going to weld the quarter panel you will only need to know how to tack, not lay a bead. The eccessive heat from welding a bead will warp the panel. You just need to tack, tack, tack till it is a solid piece, then grind smooth. The hardest part is fitting up the panel and smoothing the welds out. It takes a lot of time and patients to get it right so if you are easily frustrated think long and hard before you tackle it yourself for the first time. It is always a good idea to gain a little experience (not just welding) before you cut on your car. Remember, the welding is the easy part. You need the right welding temperature, wire speed, and panel gap and you are set. Getting the panel to fit right is the hard part. Good luck!!
Okay Nick. I have an embarassing question though...what exactly is tacking? A link or brief explanation is fine.
No reason to be embarrassed!! It is a great question. A tack is a very small weld that is made to position the pieces of metal that are to be welded so that they won't move as you actually lay a bead. A tack on a quarter panel would consist of about a two second long weld. Hope that helps explain.
