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This is a major reason why the practice of welding, and soldering, is so complicated. A lot of what makes welding and soldering complicated is the need to remo
by InclinedPlane 13y ago
This is a major reason why the practice of welding, and soldering, is so complicated.
A lot of what makes welding and soldering complicated is the need to remove, or avoid creation of, the oxide layers that inevitably form on the surfaces of metals. More so, these oxides form faster at higher temperatures. That's why solder wire and stick welding electrodes have flux cores or coatings, why MIG/TIG welding uses a shielding gas, and so on.
- toomuchtodo 13y agoI highly recommend everyone take a Welding 101 and 102 class at their local community college. While my primary trade is IT, I'm certified to weld, and I personally think its a lot of fun. It's about not only knowledge, but skill and experience. You'll be satisfied when you're able to successfully move the "puddle" of molten metal down your weld line, the weld looks beautiful, and then you find out your weld is extremely strong when its destructively tested.
- spacecadet 13y agoI was going to say this too! I own a TIG and a MIG- welding is alot of fun and the science behind it is interesting. A perfect combination of science and dexterity. Need projects? Make furniture or buy an old car! Rust repair without "bondo" is an art!
- gte910h 13y agoI've been wanting to do this. How expensive is the equipment to keep and maintain?
- toomuchtodo 13y agoUsed welders in good condition can be had for under $1000. Depends on if its a MIG, TIG, or "stick" (flux). Traditional welding relies on the shielding gas being generated from a solid material (flux) wrapped around the consumable electrode. Other methods (MIG and TIG) rely on inert gasses being provided by separate support equipment to a "gun", which is also feeding electrode wire. To take the class should only cost you book and tuition fees. My total out of pocket at a community college in the Chicago suburbs was ~$600 for three classes (Welding 101, 102, 110). EDIT: I have a whole box of welding books. If you're serious, I'm more than happy to ship them to you.
- tptacek 13y agoWhich suburb? My wife Erin took welding at Triton in Tyne near west suburbs and liked it, but they shut the program down before she could take the advanced class.
- toomuchtodo 13y agoMy classes were at Elgin Community College (I was living in Saint Charles at the time). Unfortunately, its quite the haul from Chicago.
- InclinedPlane 13y agoOne note: if you have a MIG welding rig you can use flux cored wire in it without a shielding gas, which simplifies things somewhat if you're an occasional welder. Just make sure to adjust the polarity settings correctly when you do (there are tons of videos on youtube explaining how and why).