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While welding might not be a skill that you’ll use every day, it opens you up to a whole new realm of possibilities. What was once a death sentence for parts or an out-of-the-question project altogether, is now suddenly within range.
It’s not as simple as it seems, though, as welding is rather complicated, with layers of information regarding different machines and different projects and all the variables that need to be taken into account. It’s intimidating, to say the least, and it can be hard to tell where to even start if you’re on your own. Well, that’s what I’m here for.
I’m still just learning the craft myself, so I don’t exactly have the qualifications to teach you the finer points. But I can at least help you get started. After all, I’m teaching myself and know what the initial shock is like for those just jumping in. That said, you pros reading along are encouraged to drop some knowledge for beginners, including me, in the comments section.
Welding is an invaluable skill that allows you to create and repair metal structures While it may seem intimidating as a beginner, anyone can learn to weld with the right guidance This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to get started welding safely and effectively.
Choose a Type of Welding
There are several welding processes to pick from
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Stick welding (SMAW): Uses an electric current and electrode coated in flux to heat and fuse metal. A versatile, inexpensive starting point.
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MIG welding (GMAW): Continuously feeds wire electrode through a welding gun. Easier to learn than stick welding.
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TIG welding (GTAW) Uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and inert gas to produce clean welds, More challenging to master
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Flux-cored welding: Functions like MIG welding but uses electrode wire filled with flux instead of external gas shield.
For beginners, stick and MIG welding are the most straightforward methods to learn. Consider what types of projects you want to tackle when choosing. You can branch into other processes later.
Purchase Welding Equipment
You’ll need:
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Welder: Choose an AC or DC model suited to your welding type. MIG welders are often multi-process allowing stick welding too.
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Welding helmet: Provides face and eye protection from sparks and rays. Auto-darkening lenses make it easy to see your work.
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Work clothes: Wear non-flammable, long sleeve shirts, pants and closed-toe shoes. Leather gloves, aprons and jackets also help prevent burns.
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Welding rods/wire: Flux-coated rods for stick welding. Spools of wire for MIG welding. Match diameter and material to your base metal.
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Clamps: Secure your workpiece so it doesn’t move during welding.
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Grinder: Removes slag and smoothes welds. An angle grinder with grinding and cutting wheels is most versatile.
Buy quality safety gear, but start with an affordable welder as you learn. Upgrading your machine comes later.
Learn Welding Safety Rules
Weld safely by:
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Working in a well-ventilated area clear of flammables
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Keeping a fire extinguisher and first aid kit nearby
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Inspecting equipment for damage before use
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Using a face shield under your helmet for added protection
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Wearing safety harnesses when working above ground
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Keeping work area tidy to prevent slips and falls
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Being aware of welding fumes and gases
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Never looking directly at the welding arc without protection
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Clamping workpiece securely and having Helper hold or balance if needed
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Allowing welds to cool fully before handling
Follow all machine safety instructions and err on the side of caution. Weld at your own risk.
Practice Basic Welding Technique
Once you understand safety, you can move on to technique:
1. Prepare the metal surface – Clean all dirt, paint, oil and rust from the joint area so base metal is exposed. Bevel edges if needed.
2. Clamp pieces to be joined – Use C-clamps, vise grips or a jig to hold workpieces static.
3. Set machine amperage – Adjust amps to match material thickness and welding electrode. Higher amps for thicker sections.
4. Strike the arc – Gently scratch electrode on metal to ignite arc. Aim arc heat steadily at joint as you move.
5. Form weld bead – Keep arc length and angle consistent as you make passes back and forth over joint. Let each weld cool between passes.
6. Clean welds – Use a chipping hammer and wire brush to remove slag and spatter from solidified welds.
Go slow with lots of practice. Pay attention to creating clean, even welds before working faster.
Practice On Sample Joints
Practice fundamental techniques on scrap pieces before actual projects. Useful sample joints include:
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Butt joints – Two pieces end-to-end. Good for aligning pieces flush.
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T joints – Two pieces meeting at right angles. Teaches bridging gaps between metals.
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Lap joints – Pieces overlapping. Learn to penetrate and fuse multiple layers.
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Corner joints – Pieces meeting at 45 or 90 degree angles. Keeps welding direction consistent.
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Edge joints – Joining metal with one exposed edge. Control heat and distortion.
Use the same size/type of metal initially. Later practice mixing materials like steel and aluminum.
Learn To Make Key Welds
Once comfortable with basics, begin:
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Fillet welds – Joins two pieces at right angles making a corner. Keeps metals from separating.
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Groove welds – Joins with metals aligned, leaving a groove. Provides deep penetration.
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Multi-pass welds – Makes multiple welding passes layered on each other. Reduces heat damage.
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Out-of-position welds – Welds from angles like overhead, vertical or horizontal. Useful for repairs.
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Tack welds – Short intermittent welds that temporarily hold the joint before full welding.
These are among the most useful and versatile welds to start with.
Troubleshoot Common Issues
Learning to identify and fix problems prevents flaws:
Porosity – Caused by issues like insufficient gas flow, contaminated base metal, or improper arc length.
Lack of fusion – Not getting deep enough penetration into joint. Increase amps or weld slower.
Burn through – Burning through thinner metal sections. Reduce heat or use thinner filler material.
Undercut – Grooves along weld bead caused by high travel speed or steep angle.
Cracking – Can result from rapid cooling, contamination or improper electrode angle.
Don’t get frustrated! Correcting errors develops your skills.
Practice Every Chance You Get
Like any skill, welding requires regular practice over time to improve. Take advantage of opportunities to keep welding like:
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Taking formal welding classes at a vocational school, community college or metalworking studio
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Joining a maker space with welding facilities you can access
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Volunteering at organizations that build things from metal
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Tackling DIY projects around your home that involve welding
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Building artistic creations to keep your welding skills sharp
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Welding as a recreational hobby and entering your work in shows
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Repairing machinery and equipment at a maintenance job that uses your skills
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! The heat from mistakes forges your talents.
Safety Tips For Welding At Home
If setting up a home workshop:
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Weld in an outdoor area if possible, or in a well-ventilated garage
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Position welding area safely away from anything flammable
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Have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand rated for electrical fires
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Keep a pair of UV filtering safety glasses for others in vicinity
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Wear a respirator or ventilator helmet to avoid fume inhalation
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Keep children and pets away from your workspace while welding
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Allow welds to cool fully and never leave a hot workpiece unattended
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Unplug welder when not in use to avoid electrical accidents
Your personal safety and that of those around you should always come first!
Ready to Strike Your First Arc?
Learning the ins and outs of welding takes time, but the payoff in satisfaction makes it worth the effort. Follow this advice and keep practicing, and you’ll be creating incredible metal projects in no time! Remember to stay safe, wear all your protective gear, and have fun mastering this useful, creative skill. The more you weld, the better you’ll get.
What Else Do I Need?
The welder might be central to this work, but it isn’t the only tool you need to weld. There’s actually a whole subcategory of different tools you’ll invest in over time, and we can spend days talking about them. But to keep things moving, we’ll cover a few of the basics.
A welding helmet is the first additional piece of gear to invest in, as it’s just as critical to your performance as it is to your safety. Trust me, welder’s flash sucks, and you don’t need to learn that first-hand. You need a helmet that will prevent you from experiencing that while giving you a clear view of your puddle. I’m not saying you need a state-of-the-art helmet to get rolling, but it’s beneficial to buy something a few steps up from the cheapest model you can find. That said, a little bit of research into different helmets is worthwhile as rebranding is commonplace here, and you can find pro-level helmets with different stickers that really bring down the price.
Dedicated welding gloves and protective leathers are must-haves for this type of work, too.
Regardless of the work you’re into, a grinder with the right attachments is a key component of your arsenal. You’ll need it to clean metal prior to welding, cut pieces to length, and, of course, dress down welds to pretty up the workpiece. A corded angle grinder is great for just starting out, but I highly recommend investing in a cordless right angle die grinder as the flexibility makes a massive difference in the tight spaces you’ll find yourself in.
What other tools you’ll need depends on the work you intend to do. If you’re into bodywork, spot weld clamps, riveting clamps, and butt weld clamps are just a few things you’ll want on hand. And don’t forget that welding often comes with the fabrication of your own panels, and you’ll need some equipment to get into that as well.
To make a long story short, you need to think outside of the main piece of equipment. Take the time to research what tools are used for the work you’re about to take on so that you can arm yourself adequately.
With everything in place, all that’s left is to go out and practice. It’s that simple. To get the best experience, it’s worth going out and buying some sections of metal that resemble what you’ll actually be working on and using it to learn. Practice on some pieces of sheet metal if you’re going to do body work, small sections of tubing or exhaust, and so on.
At first, you’ll want to practice the basic techniques, like getting a puddle to form and laying a bead without sticking pieces of metal together. Then, you’ll want to start replicating real-world scenarios.
There are a lot of different welding techniques, and it can be frustrating to decide where to start. I found it made the most sense to practice welds I knew I’d put to use later based on the research I did earlier. For example, I started out by practicing spot welds. To do so, I’d take two sections of sheet metal, drill some holes in one, stack them together, then fill the holes.
Practicing lap welds is another great place to start. For that, you stagger two sections of scrap metal and practice joining them together where they overlap. These are very simple, but you can build off of the knowledge you gain from practicing them and grow into other, more complicated joints.
Trial by fire works best here. No. I don’t mean you need to set anything on fire, but do keep a fire extinguisher nearby just in case. I’m saying that you just need to study the common practices put to use for the type of welder you’re using and the different joints you’ll encounter, but reading will only take you so far. You need to practice and fail, then practice some more.
One aspect to pay close attention to is your machine settings. While this may seem confusing, it couldn’t be more simple. The machine should have the settings you should use laid out for you printed on a sticker stuck somewhere to the surface, if they aren’t listed in the manual. This information tells you what the machine’s settings should be dialed to based on the thickness of the metal you’re working with. Over time, you will learn to tweak them to your hand but start by using the machine exactly as it tells you to. This eliminates as many variables as possible, giving you a better position to practice your form from.
Fail and Learn from the Failure, but also YouTube
The internet really is your friend here. You might not get the experience of a masterclass for free, but you will get the next best thing from the internet. It’s all about finding the right instructors for the type of welding you intend to take on. There are plenty of YouTube channels that do an excellent job of walking you through the basic and even some advanced techniques. It’s also great to regularly watch content with welding in the field as it gives you a good idea of the different challenges that are presented, and how to adapt.
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Welding Basics for Beginners
How hard is it to learn welding?
In general, MIG Welding is the easiest and most common welding to learn, but all types of welding are possible to master. The Crucible begins teaching youth as young as 12 years old to weld. When you are first learning to weld, you will likely find that it is moderately difficult.
How do I learn to weld?
Once the welder is familiar with the job at hand, they will select the best equipment and materials for the project. You can learn how to weld from a friend, at an art school, through an online video tutorial, or at a technical trade school. Welding is an extremely technical and labor-intensive field that requires practice and precision.
How can I learn welding as a hobby?
Learn welding as a hobby by signing up for classes or workshops through your local welder, community college, or trade school. Use free online resources to further your studies. Welding is the process of fusing two or more materials with high heat. Welding can be performed on metal, thermoplastics, and even wood to make one unified piece.
How do I learn metal arc welding?
Gas Metal Arc (MIG) and Stick (Arc) welding are the two most common beginner-friendly welding methods. Learn welding as a hobby by signing up for classes or workshops through your local welder, community college, or trade school. Use free online resources to further your studies.
