Learn to Weld

...but first an overview of the different types of welding

I think the best way to learn to weld is enrolling in a good welding school.

That said, I know not everyone can do that.

I know plenty of really good welders who never went to school so I know it is possible to learn to weld without school.

But welding school provides all the metal and all the consumables and that can really add up to a lot of money if you are buying.

If welding school is not an option for you, consider taking a free one week trial at weldeskills.com

Learn to Weld with TIG, MIG, STICK, or Flux Core

Learn to Weld with Stick Welding

Most welding schools start you off with stick welding.

Stick welding is Basic and Fundamental. and serves as a benchmark for the other processes like tig, mig, and flux core welding.

Stick is still the one of the most used processes for construction trades.

and a 6g pipe test using stick welding is still a frequent "hire in test" for pipe welding jobs.

A 3g and 4g stick welding plate test is still a frequent test required for structural welding jobs.

I think its a good idea to learn to weld with stick before trying other processes but if you know you just want to TIG weld, then you might just learn some stick basics on fillet welds so you can use stick in a pinch because there are times when only Stick will do.

Learn to Weld with TIG Welding

If you strictly want to learn to weld with TIG, then its definitely ok to start with TIG welding.

To speed up the learning process, I recommend a program that gets you on aluminum quickly.  something like this...

1. a few beads on carbon steel without filler metal just to get comfortable.
2. then add filler metal for beads on carbon steel
3. then jump on aluminum and weld beads on plate
4. then pad aluminum beads on plate until you are welding uniform beads.

I have created a No BS TIG workbook for you to help you learn to TIG weld...and its free

Download your Free TIG workbook here

Download your Free TIG workbook here

Learn to Weld with MIG Welding

I think its better to start with Stick, but it's not a requirement. 

MIG welding is used in shops for general fabrication as well as production.

Short circuit mig with C25 gas is very useful for general fabrication where welding in all positions is needed like on a truck chassis, rack, or industrial furniture.

In mig welding there are different variations of the process called "modes of metal transfer"

• Short circuit mig where the metal fuses into the molten puddle 
• Spray transfer where the metal sprays into the puddle in fine droplets
• Globular transfer where the metal transfers into the puddle in globular balls.

One of the best ways to learn to weld with MIG is to pad beads in all positions.

Starting with flat position, then horizontal, then vertical uphill and downhill, then overhead.

This is the best way to learn to weld without using a ton of metal and wasting time prepping metal.

Learn to Weld with Flux core Welding

A simple mig welding machine and flux core wire can be a good way to learn to weld for some folks.

Just like with MIG, the best way to learn to weld with flux core wire is to stack beads on plate.

But first, watch this video on setting up a flux core welder properly with the correct polarity and right wire tension.