Im learning to weld and need practice

[bmxbob]

howdy all, i work for network rail.
Offtrack before you start  vegetation, felling trees, fencing and level crossings etc
i need to be able to weld the metal fencing so have to do a course as with everything on the railway, even need a 1/2 day course to start a generator 
anyway the only course they do is a 5 day full welding course so i will  be learning all types of welding 
so hopefully will be able to attempt to weld up damaged frames etc
boss says he is buying a welding machine and we can borrow it when not in use at work 

has anyone attempted to do DIY weld repairs ?

anyone want to donate broken, snapped or damaged frames / forks for me to av a go ?

[magna13]

My Dad's a top class welder! never seen a shody job from him on his cars, vans and lorry's but we've never bought or had a frame that needs that much of work doing to it so we've never tried... i'm also starting an after school welding course in my GCSE Engineering course hopefully i follow in my Dad's footsteps...

[bof]

""A welding machine""  All i can say is you have a hell of a lot to learn , have fun and dont forget your suncream.

[harris]

if your going to do it ,invest in a tig welder or inverter   ac/dc unit touch start   not scratch
you can weld nice and alloy frames too.

[bmxbob]

""A welding machine""  All i can say is you have a hell of a lot to learn , have fun and dont forget your suncream.

yer " a welding machine "

you can tell im a total novice 

[harris]

i have been a full time welder for over 2o years   apart from at the moment
its a great job and very satisfactory  do it you wont look back,  infact you probably wont see owt as youll get arc eye   

[welsh denny]

i did an evening course in welding and gained my nvq's.  welded lugs on a suelo flatland frame using  a micro plazma welder. the results were great. shame i didn't get on with the frame so it sits under my stairs.




it does give you a sense of achievement when you have used your skills to help in your hobby though.

[jT Racing]

i guess in 5 days you will cover mig and arc at the most, don't expect to be a tig welder in 5 days.  mig is a piece of piss, a week of welding and you can do any simple job. They might show you one though. You will love arc eye it's like having sand in your eye/eyes that you can never get out and a right fooker. Good luck fella, just enjoy yourself.

[HEYWOOD BMX]

  My Mrs used to be a welder,now she looks at frames/parts and picks holes in quality of the workmanship-"Look at the state of the welding,they want how much for it?"

[meticulous]

everytime i did welding is was to weld the '17 didget' numbers on the bulk-head of a car.....

[oberonspacefruit]

I DID learn to be a tig welder in 5 days.......lol


mind you, id been up against it, welding a morris traveller fo 18 months with steel like cheesecloth with a 40 quid arc welder .....TIG was a piece of piss in comparison.....

[keep it lit!]

buy a beetle or a camper 

[Dark Diggler]

Contact dibly, he has hundreds of frames in thousands of pieces, I am sure he will let you have a go on em   

[CD17]

I have done two weeks welding back in 85/86 as part of my apprenticeship, I had to do two weeks, bench fitting, milling, turning etc. We only done Gas & Arc but I quite enjoyed it, have not done any since though 

I think you will enjoy it