Learning to weld

jamesmartin said:

i learned with gas and stick ,migs were the new thing at the time ,gas is something like a lathe people should learn but things move on which is why gas is rarely used

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We seem to be on different wavelengths this evening, James I use a lathe every day. I also weld with gas very regularly. It has things to offer which MIG cant match... not least the ability to produce a good weld when access requires a wide latitude with the torch angle, producing a good weld when it is impossible to get things properly clean such as welding ancient cast iron and producing a ductile weld when manufacturing new panels. My job often involves manufacturing panels where none are available to buy and I certainly wouldn't want to be wheeling and planishing a MIG welded fabrication by choice. Gas is also great for welding pre-war aluminium which tends to become brittle in the heat affected zone when welded by TIG. I must admit that I much prefer welding nice new ali with TIG though!

Thor1950 said:

Just like in machining, lathes, mills, shappers, before cnc came along. operator needed to how to do stuff. Now days a machinist just loads the material and pushes a button, then takes the parts out when finshed

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An 'operator' may, however someone still has to create the original program. I've got both manual and cnc lathes and mills at home and there is a lot of commonality between both processes, you need to be aware of speeds and feeds, tool setting, work holding etc. If anything cnc can be harder as you have to know all the manual techniques but then have to learn programming too.

At college they take you through mig, tig, then stick, in that order.

Is it true gas is very slow? I like the simplicity of the equipment, and if slower, must be easier than stick welding?

I learned to weld with stick, no messing about I went straight for rear arches on a car didn't I. Tricky.

I'm assuming by the words gas and slow you are referring to oxy/acetylene welding?
If you achieve the correct flame and use the correct nozzle for the work piece you'll be surprised at just how quickly the puddle moves along .
You have to get the aforementioned right so that you limit distortion to the minimum possible! There are simple AIDS you can use that help reduce distortion to a negligible amount, especially if you weld 1mm sheet, which is approx thickness of say a Morris minor door skin for example . BUT you'll be surprised how LOST and caught up with the quite MESMERIZING characteristics of oxy/acetylene welding half an hour an hour seems to be like just minutes
Chris

Shanec said:

At college they take you through mig, tig, then stick, in that order.

Is it true gas is very slow? I like the simplicity of the equipment, and if slower, must be easier than stick welding?

I learned to weld with stick, no messing about I went straight for rear arches on a car didn't I. Tricky.

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Shanec said:

At college they take you through mig, tig, then stick, in that order.

Is it true gas is very slow? I like the simplicity of the equipment, and if slower, must be easier than stick welding?

I learned to weld with stick, no messing about I went straight for rear arches on a car didn't I. Tricky.

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it is a lot slower, you use more heat , stick is easy like mig except stick is no good for thin stuff, flappy discs for grinder clean weld up after pretty good

I too am learning the art of welding, I bought a 2nd hand Clarke gas mig, as it was within my budget, had good reviews and will do probably all the jobs needed on the Landy.
I visit the aforementioned mig forum sometimes which is very useful, but a thought crossed my mind that a welding section on LZ would be great. After all, we'll all probably be repairing the same sections of our Landies and it'd be useful to share technique, tips and settings for specific jobs. Just a thought.

chris7 said:

I'm assuming by the words gas and slow you are referring to oxy/acetylene welding?
If you achieve the correct flame and use the correct nozzle for the work piece you'll be surprised at just how quickly the puddle moves along .
You have to get the aforementioned right so that you limit distortion to the minimum possible! There are simple AIDS you can use that help reduce distortion to a negligible amount, especially if you weld 1mm sheet, which is approx thickness of say a Morris minor door skin for example . BUT you'll be surprised how LOST and caught up with the quite MESMERIZING characteristics of oxy/acetylene welding half an hour an hour seems to be like just minutes
Chris

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jamesmartin said:

it is a lot slower, you use more heat , stick is easy like mig except stick is no good for thin stuff, flappy discs for grinder clean weld up after pretty good

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Put a wanted advert up, I am going to do outriggers with gas this sounds interesting

Shanec said:

Put a wanted advert up, I am going to do outriggers with gas this sounds interesting

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it will be interesting to see if you start with gas then finish with mig

Ifyou intend using Acetylene don't forget the safety measures that have to be taken very seriously the set is a potential BOMB!!
FLASHBACKS are the most serious
FLASHBACK arrestors. MUST be fitted to BOTHcylinders
Correct lighting up procedures must be adhered to purging etc
Correct shutdown
Don't work with the nozzle too near the pool
There are many more important safety features that affect you and people and property nearby which is why I suggest you get professional advice, to advise on what I have spoken and more AND ADVICE on equipment needed.
I have an account with BOC the cylinders you rent can be industrial like mine or smaller porta pack size
You just need to find out what is best for your circumstances
Chris
PS I'm not trying to scare you off because ONCE you have the information you can develope the TWO hand eye coordination needed AND YOU'LL HAVE A LOT OF FUN ITS as vintage said THE BIZZ

jamesmartin said:

it will be interesting to see if you start with gas then finish with mig

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Little faith.

As we have all learned recently with gearbox out struggles I'm a bit of a Willy

But unlike most my tenacious spirit gets me through

If it goes tits up will stick it .......or if it goes really tits up it'll go to mike Aitken hahaha

ACH well, hosepipe on standby that means then