I have a silly question. I am continually coming up against stuff where knowing how to weld, and having the equipment(!) would be the handiest thing, but I don't know how. Can you learn to weld from a book or do you need to take a course in it? It's just really hard for me to find the time to take a class because the nearest courses are about one hour away. I also have dreams of being able to create sound sculptures, and welding is definitely necessary for that. Just wondering....thanks!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), August 12, 2001

Answers

That's not a silly question, Doreen. I learned how to stick weld in high school--and I haven't done it since. There are different types of welding, the easiest being stick welding (that's what I know how to do) and (I think) MIG welding. Well, anyway stick welding is way easy what's you get the hang of it. I majored in Agriculture in school. Everyone thought it was a big joke because I was the only girl but I did learn some useful things.

I do believe a class would be easier than a book, but that's just me. I have an awful time trying to learn something from a book but if I'm shown how to do I pick it up right away.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), August 12, 2001.

Hey Doreen! I learned to stick weld over 40 years ago in high school. Wasn't real hard but I could've done it at home if we'd had a welder. I bought a little wire welder from Sears couple years ago and use it much more than the stick welder. The wire welder I use can use different wire for different types of metal. I choose to use the flux cored wire and that way don't have to mes with the inert gas. A little more expensive but well worth it IMHO. Works great for small stuff that's too small for my huge 600 amp stick welder.

My advice--if ya'll can't go to school--read a little and practice a lot. Not that hard. hoot. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 12, 2001.

a guy at work taught me to stick weld and braze when we were putting in an assembly line. A little more practice and I can "daub" well enough to fix a lot of minor low stress welds (still leave the high strength requirement stuff to a professional).

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 12, 2001.

Check with your local high schools they often give night classes for things like this .They don't usually cost much either .I just got Hubby a new welder and is trying to get me to try it .I am scarred to death.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), August 12, 2001.

Patty, don't be afraid. You can learn if you are willing to! I would jump at the chance. I have a friend here who does fence work who has been promising to teach me for two years, I finally decided that he won't teach me, so I had better learn somewhere else. I'm going to check out this town that's a bit closer and has a community college. Thanks for your help!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), August 12, 2001.

Patty, you aren't afraid of anything! Actually welding is kinda fun. Just make sure you do things safely--welding mask and heavy welding gloves. I remember having the strongest weld in school, the teacher tried his best but he couldn't break it. Me being in the "hands on" Ag classes-welding, small engine repair, and farm machinary repair was not a popular thing so I was discouraged a lot--I did drop small engine repair because of it but they didn't get me out of the rest of the classes. Still ticks me off that I dropped small engine repair because I could have seriously used those skills now. This was in 1979 and 1980 too but it was a small kinda backwoods school.

Go for it!

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), August 13, 2001.

By taking an "adult education" course you'll have the chance to try all the different methods......stick,mig,tig,gas......also you will get the instructors opinion on equipment-for what its worth.-- Seems like a hole lot of sculpture stuff is gas/brazing--To me thats easy&fun...creating...A good teacher can get you going correctly!! Go for it gal....

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), August 13, 2001.

Funny you should ask . . .

Just posted an answer to a similar questiion on another website. Saw an ad on one of the Backwoods home web links for a portable welder. Definitely an electrical, not stick model. The web site info is www.zena.net.

Basically, it looks like a unit that you bolt onto your vehicle motor's alternator, which powers the unit. It comes in tractor, automobile / truck and boat sized units, all furnishing various amperages. I didn't see the cost, but I think you can find it, as well as getting free info on the units mailed to you.

Kinda neat to own I think. Always wanted to learn to weld myself. . .

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), August 16, 2001.