How to Weld New to welding

[psient]

Hi all:

Having just purchased a LS 160PI I thought it a good idea to join this forum. I am new to welding after a hiatus of 25 years. At that time I completed a large home project with a sears buzz box. The welds were ugly but by golly the structure still stands today.

I already own an OA cutting assembly and a Millermatic 180 Mig.

These I can handle either from previous experience or because the technology compensates (to some extent). Plasma and TIG are a new world entirely.

A little about myself.

Immediately after high school I spent the first third of my adult life in Construction as a Union Journey Carpenter. Thus I went through the apprenticeship program and learned all aspects of concrete forming and framing. Unfortunately I had a bone collapse in my wrist and had to find another career. IF it had not been for this I'd still be a carpenter to this day. I really loved the work!!!!

The career I then ended up in was one I could not have anticipated in a million years. I spent the next 20 years raising, training, and exhibiting horses in the show pen (AQHA and registered Paints) and raising and showing AKC champion Old English Mastiffs. At one time it seemed I had more animals than the population of the city I was living in.

Toward the mid 90's I went to college for the first time in my life and after finishing my BA and Masters, earned my PhD in Psychology from the University of California. This is not a degree you purchase from a commercial degree mill. I had to distinguish myself within a population of the brightest students 1/3rd my age. I am most proud of this accomplishment; it was the most difficult accomplishment by far. Please take note that I share this only as a point of perspective about my membership . . . take it for what it is worth.

I now have an interest in machining. I have recently purchased a 1236 Lathe and a Bridgeport Mill. The plasma cutter/combination machine is an extension of this interest.

I am sure there is much to enjoy and learn via this forum. I already have begun learning about the gas/air set up and am reading about the deployment of the 3 way valve.

At this point I probably could make a butt weld and have decent penetration without too much trouble. As far as being a machinist goes: I can drill a hole and hand tap it. That is it!!!

AS you can see I am a complete novice.

Any help or comments will be greatly appreciated. I am glad to be a member.

Jon

[Gadget]

Hi Jon and welcome to the forum. Very nice intro. Congratulations on your perseverance in pursuing your PHD. That takes a lot of dedication and time.
Many of us here are learning as we go but we do have some professional welders who can certainly assist with any questions you may have. I look forward to seeing some posts of your work as you progress.
I too have started a small machine shop here for the second time. I still need a mill but may just build a small one from the Gingery plans I have.
Again welcome, I have promoted your account to Registered member now so you have full posting rights without needed moderation.
Dan

[KHK]

Hello and welcome Jon. I also went back to collage after many years in the working world. It was fun while it lasted, but the bills must be paid. With a degree under my arm I went into a new career, it was exciting!!

[matteh99]

The control you have over the weld is great with TIG welding but it also means that you get less help from the machine.

Two days a week I do some machining at a shop that works on really old antique cars. The emphasis is more "don't screw up" than production speed. You can do a lot with a mill and a lathe. The guy I work for has only manual machines. His mill has a digital readout but that is it. I really like working there. It requires a fair amount of thinking and the stuff that leaves his shop gets done right.

It would be nice to have a shop of my own with a Mill, Lathe, and other tools but having someone else's shop to use is the next best thing. I am renting right now but when I get my own place it is going to have a workshop

The place I work for.
Roadinosaur

Eric

[arandall]

Jon:
Welcome from me too. The more I participate in this forum, the more I begin to understand we are in distuinguished company. There are people from all walks of life, of all ages, and all obviously talented in their own fields, willing to share their talents with people of like mind, and not afraid to ask others for advice.
A sense of humor helps too!

Cheers,
Art R.

[HerbD]

Hi psient,

I liked your bio for a couple of reasons. I started out as a high school industrial arts drafting teacher. Although we drew many machine parts my hands-on machine shop experience was almost non-existent. I did work a couple of summers as a machinist helper though.
After a few years I became the school's technology person and computers and IT became my area along with teaching at a college.
Eventually, in my fifties, I too pursued and got a Ph.D. and taught full time at a university. Now that I'm retired I find I have the time and money to equip my home shop with a (small) lathe and a mill along with various pieces of metal working equipment such as a brake (homebuilt), metal bending and sawing equipment (HF), a homemade metal melting furnace (that now works) and other toys.
One of the BEST additions was a Longevity LS200P. I've had a stick welder for years, but really enjoy TIG and the plasma cutter is great.
This group is fun and very helpful. There is a good mix of hands on experience and that special enthusiasm that we all have as newbies. Welcome to the group.

HerbD