Intro
Welding is a very useful skill that can come in handy throughout your life. However, learning a new skill requires motivation, time, and expenditure. If you learn welding through a short course or program, you will have to look into available options, fill out applications, gather the funds to pay for classes, and manipulate your schedule to align with your classes.
Due to these reasons, many people prefer self-teaching themselves how to weld. Learning the basics of welding on your own is possible, but it does not come without drawbacks. Here are some important things you need to know in order to learn welding on your own.
You can also visit WeldingManiac.com to learn more about the tools required and other useful welding tips.
What Do You Need To Learn Welding On Your Own?
Welding is a job that requires several tools, depending on the type of welding technique you are employing, as well as important safety gear.
Welding Tools
You will need the following tools for cutting and welding metal for your DIY welding projects:
Angle Grinder
This is a potentially dangerous tool that requires very careful handling. However, it is cheap and easily available. You will be able to use an angle grinder for cutting metals, cleaning the metal from rust and mill scale before welding, beveling the joint, as well as adding finishing touches to your metal by grinding bad welds and smoothing over the final product.
Measuring Tape and Calipers
These will help you mark the areas to be welded accurately.
Marker
You need a marker, so you can mark the areas on the metal that you need to weld.
A Combination Square and Speed Square
You need these tools for accurate and easy measuring and marking.
Clamps
These will come in handy to hold the metals in place. You can get regular c-clamps or other shapes as well.
Metal File
A metal file will help you smooth over the metal and get rid of burrs.
Chipping Hammer and Wire Brush
These tools are required in case you are doing stick or flux-cored welding because they produce slag.
A Base or Table
Ideally, a metallic table is best to weld on.
MIG Plier
This is only required for MIG or flux-cored welding. This is a very useful device that cuts the wire accurately and cleans the nozzle and contact tip.
Scrap Metal
This will be very useful for practicing your welding before you start a serious welding project.
How Hard Is It To Teach Yourself How To Weld?
Welding is not a very challenging skill to learn. The only reason why people choose not to weld their own metal is due to the potentially dangerous nature of the process. You can easily teach yourself how to weld if you want to do simple DIY home projects and repairs. If you are well-versed in handling tools and know how to operate power tools, you will have no problem learning basic welding yourself.
A pro tip for self-learning welding is to find quality welding equipment like the ones from lincoln welders, then to start with metals that are easy to weld. Mild steel is one such metal. You also need to start with simpler welding positions, like flat and horizontal, before you get the hang of welding.
Learning welding on your own can be very challenging if you start with hardened steel or other tough metals and employ strategic welding positions, like vertical.
Why Should You Try To Self-Learn Welding?
There are some pros of self-learning when it comes to welding, which explains its appeal to most newbies. We have listed some upsides of learning how to weld without a professional’s help or without taking welding classes.
- It is affordable and saves time. You can learn welding at home without going anywhere or paying anyone to teach you.
- You can learn on your own terms. You will not have to learn about welding processes that you do not intend to use and materials that you are not interested in welding.
- You can go at your own pace and don’t have to keep up with a class or let other learners slow you down.
- You can make your schedule and customize the learning based on your needs.
- The absence of tests and evaluations removes pressure, which will help you enjoy the process rather than worry about passing.
What Are Some Drawbacks Of Self-Learning How to Weld?
No matter how easy and charming self-learning welding may seem, there are some serious disadvantages of not taking professional guidance and courses.
- No available feedback may slow down or hinder the learning process and progress. Teachers often point out mistakes to be improved, propelling the learner in a positive direction.
- You may miss out on useful information.
- Trial and error with an activity like welding and other mistakes can result in serious safety hazards. This can be avoided if a skilled welder is there to guide you and make sure all safety precautions are carefully implemented.
- It can be challenging to devise a good learning plan, which may delay the learning process
