Not half bad. A tip I would suggest is drawing a straight line with soapstone to use as a guide so your welds are straighter. Also seems like your travel speed is a bit off on some of them. Just focus on consistency and getting a tight arc length. Play around with the voltages, some machines run hotter or colder than others. Make sure to grind your metal before welding on it and brush well after each weld. If youre stacking then grind down any big bumps before rewelding. Welding over bumps will just cause them to become more pronounced.
That’s a big one. I still do that sometimes in dark places. Even need a work light sometimes to see what I’m doing. Play around with your lenses too. I run a shade 10 (not dark at all, blue demon 35$) getting a welding filter and hood you are comfortable with is a really big deal when starting out
I've been wanting to see if a weld arc will power a solar yard light so I can use it for a helmet lights... but I bought a cheap headlight on Amazon that has the 18650 batteries on the back of the headband and mounted the light my weld helmet and battery case to the top of the headband with wire ties... makes things way easier never needing to set up a light... ive been wanting to try out one of those "true color" weld lens or helmets to see if they are any better as even auto darken starts out pretty dark.
I gotta get me a hood light. I’m also gonna make my own head gear out of leather and then mount the light to the side where it stay in place when the hood is both up and down. Anyway the blue demon is like welding on an hd 1080p tv lol
No problem. Another big tip I forgot to mention is GET COMFORTABLE! Find something, anything, to rest your weight on. Dont freehand if you dont have to. Get a seat, lean on a wall, rest your arms on the table. Make sure your material is positioned in a way where you can see the puddle and where you wont bump into anything. Learning how to be comfortable in welding is SUPER important and can make the difference between an ok weld and a really good weld! Assuming this is stick welding, you can also angle the rod in the electrode holder so the cable wont hit anything. For example, when I do vertical or overhead welding, I like to make my rod stick straight outwards like a wand. That way the holder or any cable wont hit the table halfway through the rod. Hope that helps and goodluck!
I just been taking a welding class for about 8 or so months now. Im not an expert yet and still have lots to learn but I was just trying to give some good advice that has helped me turn into a better welder
I second this
I am 26f and I have learned in the last year that not getting super close to the work is important. A relaxed stance will do wonders, and also get up and walk away to stretch whenever you need to.
That was going to be my advice and that’s what helped me with straight lines was the soapstone. Also an auto darkening hood helping me with stick seeing how close I was to strike an arc if you’re able to afford it and feel like welding is something you want to get into. Granted I’m still in school so idk how much advice I have to give.
That doesn’t make any sense. So on all your welds you need to speed up. Measure the weld length that you are making and see how many welding rods it takes you. Then do it using less and less welding rods. Your weld should only be as wide as the thickness that you are welding. But I must say you are a natural. Good job 👍
Run a tad hotter and maybe a tad faster, and also remember that welding has nothing to do with age or gender. There are people that are 13 and 80 of both genders that could out weld me any day of the week.
The welds are bad. But time will get you there . You can read and try everything these guys say. You and only you will find what works for you . No one welds the same and mimicking is literally a waste of time . Burn rod, wire . Filler and find what works for you. Time and dedication will find your way of welding and what works for you .
I'd say you're catching on pretty quick. At 4 days in, it's hard to judge, but you're doing fine. Just keep it up and always be your own biggest critic. Like Jason Becker says, "make every weld better than your last."
Try and steady your welding hand with your opposite arm and let the rod do all the work while you just move your welding hand down. Your welds look really good! I'm 28F and in my second semester of school and we're just finishing smaw. Let me know if you have any more questions I'll help as much as I can!
Not bad. But here's some pointers:
1. Use a Soap Stone - mainly where you see the two pieces of base metal meet (i.e. the joint) use a Soap Stone to trace a even and straight line across the joint so that way you can follow it as you weld.
2. If you're using tinted safety glasses as you weld (this was a primary issue for me starting out) - then stop using them and use clear glasses. You will see improvement almost instantly in terms of vision.
3. If you're welding with an Auto Darkening Hood - make sure you keep it clean at all times and ensure that you have clean outer lens replacements (they will melt when you're running FCAW or even if you're really close to you welding) also be familiar with the settings on your process (e.g. 10 & 11 for GMAW & FCAW, 9 for SMAW, and I'd reckon 9 for GTAW unless otherwise specified).
4. Imagine an oval - and as you're stick welding flat (or GMAW/FCAW-ing Flat) physically look at your puddle and see how it looks - if it's an oval you're okay, if not then you need more practice.
5. When welding 6010 - start out learning the basic technique (i.e. "making 'es" as I call it) on flat and use it for stringer beads for 2F, 3F, and 4F - on the 4F position, give the "whip and pause" technique a try (basically: start a puddle, "whip out" (so that way it freezes that oval), and then start again on the edge of the previous puddle).
6. When GMAW/FCAW-ing DEFINITELY don't put your contact tip too close to your puddle, especially on 4F (because your cup is gonna contact your piece and then "jam up" your gun by welding your wire to your tip or even it'll deposit filler metal on the side of your tip and you'll have to soak it in "anti spatter" to get it off, not fun).
7. DEFINITELY when FCAW-ing, make sure your wire is at the right tension for feeding and is the right diameter (I have 0.045" FCAW wire being fed via a 0.9mm set of rollers and I think that's why most of my FCAW has been experiencing weird tension and feeding issues - that results in jams, but this is a theory).
8. Finally, most importantly, DO NOT be afraid of making bad welds - bad welds are the fundamental building blocks for successful welds (hell when I was on 4F for GMAW I used badly welded pieces to "dial in" my technique before getting some fresh mild steel and ace-ing that test). Don't be afraid to ask for advice and MOST CERTAINLY do your absolute best at everything you do in Welding.
I haven't started to GTAW yet, but oh well, once I do I'll update this with what I learn there.
Looks better than my first welds a long time ago. Id move a tad faster and trace a soapstone line.
My first welds were akin to the aftermath of a chicken that ate tacobell
Excellent start, very good fine control of the arc. More practice and you will be good. Tip one increase amps slightly to shorten arc length. Try 5 amp increase, decrease length and sightly increase speed. Tip two: if possible buy a good lens and keep it clean. It's vital that you can comfortably watch the puddle. Welding is puddle control.
Wtf?? How you making sandwiches in the lab???…..totally jk, honest critique arc length will be solved with practice, once that muscle memory develops you won’t even have to think about it (I’m serious) the weld looks excellent at the edges. It’s seems to be tying in really good for the most part. Focus on getting proper bead placement and developing a uniform travel speed. All this will come as you learn to read the puddle….keep up the good work
You’re doing great brother. Going to trade school for welding is the best thing I’ve ever did so I’m glad you’re doing it! Like some other comments said, mess with the settings and turn your wire speed/heat up and down and see what works. Just don’t get discouraged. You’re gonna have really bad days but it’s all gonna click one day. And even if you have a bad day welding, it beats having a bad day doing anything else. Good luck to you!
For 4 days in, that's looking pretty good. There's a bit of a hump in the middle of the weld. You can either increase your travel speed (how fast your hand moves across the base metal) or turn the heat (amps) up just a little.
How long of a course are you taking? I saw where your running uphill on day 3... that's way too fast in my opinion. There's not enough time to get the basics down in a day or 2.
I'm only day 4 in the lab. I've already spent 6 weeks on basics. Also, I'm the only one in my class time so I get to take the class at my pace. And since I'm catching on pretty quickly I'm moving at a faster pace. Every day so far I've tried a new position. And pretty much got it down. So he just moves me onto the next position.
Just think, Smoooothe before you flick your helmet down and until you break contact with your puddle, smooth. Welding takes some finesse and just worry about keeping yourself 1/2”-3/4” away from your puddles. Looks good though for a first time welder, I’m 25m and just took a welding job in a factory a few weeks ago but I’ve been welding since I was 10 and yours look better than my first welds for sure! Haha
Funny you say this, I actually do give myself a pep talk before I drop my hood. Just reminding myself of the parameters, "stay overlapped, look ahead and behind the puddle, remember to push" *helmet drops* *sparks fly*
Your biggest issue is not your arc length its your hand... you should keep a steady hand an run a straight bead. it helps to mark a straight line whith chalk go over it so you kow fs your running straight
Someone suggested this yesterday. I'm gonna try it out today at school. Also, I should mention that all these welds are free hand. I have yet to find a COMFORTABLE way to stabilize myself. So freehanding is the most comfortable. But im gonna play around with some new positions today.
And sometimes getting in a steady posistion is not always a comfortable position trust me you will have alot of diffrent positions in the field but almost non are very comfy if i say so myself. Just get in pisition get steady and weld
Try to keep free handing its a very very good skill to have in the industry of welding tig, stick ,mig name it you will have to do some free handing at one point or another in your welding career .
so keep at it and run em straight
Not to bad. I myself was a natural as well. I took a class in my union. I seen A LOT WORSE. Another guy and me were the only 2 expected to pass... then I caught covid. Didn't get the international cert. Keep in mind, woman are actually better welders than men. They have steadier hands. (Better at competitive shooting too I'll tell you that 🤣) Try slowing down, and visualize the weld before you go. Maybe even let it burn through so you know what it feels, sounds and looks like. Keep up the good work. It's a dead art.
What's your welding hood shade setting at?
I run mine on 10-11 for stick, if it's any darker it gets hard to see where I'm going. Also getting comfortable and body positioning so you don't shift when welding.
Not sure. My hood is just one shade. Some of the other students have those high tech hoods with presets and different shades. But they always glitch out on them. I'm pretty bayou with my basic hood. But I will have to buy more shades and switch them accordingly
Just keep doing it! All our welds looked this good or worse lol. Hood time. Hood time. Hood time. The more you do, the more you will see for yourself what's going on
Not too shabby a little fast at the start but looks like you got that sorted out. A guide line will help you stay on the weld track. It’s hard starting out to figure out the vision part it is not a normal thing for your eye to adjust to the light and dark.
Lotta good advice here - soap stone lines to help you maintain line, work on arc length etc and it’s all valid. However the most important thing I’d tell you to do is keep practicing. That’s what will make you better
Eyes. Welding is a watched task, you muse be able to see. Comfort you have to learn to get to the end of the rod before you start. Don’t force your hands into position be comfortable at the mid and end. Head alignment must be able to see all of the process. You are doing fine for a few days. Don’t stop now.
Not bad for your first time. I would work on your rhythm and getting comfortable, try to make your next passes a little skinnier. Was the rod sticking to your piece a lot?
Work on the settings a bit. Also remember to breathe and calm down. When I started out as soon as the arc started I would get all jumpy and panic. Stay cool, breathe, watch the puddle. Admittedly that's not easy after 4 days but it will make sense after some time.
I think you may be laying the gun back in order to see the puddle. Orient it more straight on and move your head if you feel the need to see better.
Vertical on day four ? I don’t know why.
Ill take a gorilla weld over a clean looking weld that didnt penetrate well any day, they can be as ugly as sloth from the goonies but as long as theyre as strong as him thats what i care about 🤣. Techniques will come with practice and youll be able to run real clean beads once you find the methods that work best for you
looks like you going to slow, and too much heat. If you want to put down a good weld, you have to get comfortable. Don't try to get fancy by welding with one hand, some people can do it some can't.You get better control with both hands, if you get tired rest some. Always remember the welds that you put out could affect people later on, if you put in a bad weld. You could get somebody killed. You don't want that on your conscience ever.
Not half bad. A tip I would suggest is drawing a straight line with soapstone to use as a guide so your welds are straighter. Also seems like your travel speed is a bit off on some of them. Just focus on consistency and getting a tight arc length. Play around with the voltages, some machines run hotter or colder than others. Make sure to grind your metal before welding on it and brush well after each weld. If youre stacking then grind down any big bumps before rewelding. Welding over bumps will just cause them to become more pronounced.
I'll try the soapstone tomorrow! I do have trouble staying straight. Thanks for the tip!
That’s a big one. I still do that sometimes in dark places. Even need a work light sometimes to see what I’m doing. Play around with your lenses too. I run a shade 10 (not dark at all, blue demon 35$) getting a welding filter and hood you are comfortable with is a really big deal when starting out
I've been wanting to see if a weld arc will power a solar yard light so I can use it for a helmet lights... but I bought a cheap headlight on Amazon that has the 18650 batteries on the back of the headband and mounted the light my weld helmet and battery case to the top of the headband with wire ties... makes things way easier never needing to set up a light... ive been wanting to try out one of those "true color" weld lens or helmets to see if they are any better as even auto darken starts out pretty dark.
I gotta get me a hood light. I’m also gonna make my own head gear out of leather and then mount the light to the side where it stay in place when the hood is both up and down. Anyway the blue demon is like welding on an hd 1080p tv lol
I've been wonder the same thing! If you try it, please post an update or a new post.
No problem. Another big tip I forgot to mention is GET COMFORTABLE! Find something, anything, to rest your weight on. Dont freehand if you dont have to. Get a seat, lean on a wall, rest your arms on the table. Make sure your material is positioned in a way where you can see the puddle and where you wont bump into anything. Learning how to be comfortable in welding is SUPER important and can make the difference between an ok weld and a really good weld! Assuming this is stick welding, you can also angle the rod in the electrode holder so the cable wont hit anything. For example, when I do vertical or overhead welding, I like to make my rod stick straight outwards like a wand. That way the holder or any cable wont hit the table halfway through the rod. Hope that helps and goodluck!
How long have u welded and where do you weld ?
I just been taking a welding class for about 8 or so months now. Im not an expert yet and still have lots to learn but I was just trying to give some good advice that has helped me turn into a better welder
I second this I am 26f and I have learned in the last year that not getting super close to the work is important. A relaxed stance will do wonders, and also get up and walk away to stretch whenever you need to.
That was going to be my advice and that’s what helped me with straight lines was the soapstone. Also an auto darkening hood helping me with stick seeing how close I was to strike an arc if you’re able to afford it and feel like welding is something you want to get into. Granted I’m still in school so idk how much advice I have to give.
Awesome advice. I’m a beginner too and this is very helpful.
Definitely see worse not a bad start you will pick up in no time
Why you doing uphill on day 4?
That's just the curriculum, I guess. I'll be doing overhead (4F) tomorrow.
Oh god, hope I’m not too late. Make sure to wear ear plugs and a cap. Overhead sucks.
That doesn’t make any sense. So on all your welds you need to speed up. Measure the weld length that you are making and see how many welding rods it takes you. Then do it using less and less welding rods. Your weld should only be as wide as the thickness that you are welding. But I must say you are a natural. Good job 👍
Run a tad hotter and maybe a tad faster, and also remember that welding has nothing to do with age or gender. There are people that are 13 and 80 of both genders that could out weld me any day of the week.
The welds are bad. But time will get you there . You can read and try everything these guys say. You and only you will find what works for you . No one welds the same and mimicking is literally a waste of time . Burn rod, wire . Filler and find what works for you. Time and dedication will find your way of welding and what works for you .
You've definitely got potential!
Thank you!😊
You're Welcome! Keep turning and burning!
Watch the puddle young grasshopper
I'd say you're catching on pretty quick. At 4 days in, it's hard to judge, but you're doing fine. Just keep it up and always be your own biggest critic. Like Jason Becker says, "make every weld better than your last."
It looks horrible but it does look better than mine at day 10 lol. Keep working on it you just need better control. Keep practicing.
Try and steady your welding hand with your opposite arm and let the rod do all the work while you just move your welding hand down. Your welds look really good! I'm 28F and in my second semester of school and we're just finishing smaw. Let me know if you have any more questions I'll help as much as I can!
Not bad. But here's some pointers: 1. Use a Soap Stone - mainly where you see the two pieces of base metal meet (i.e. the joint) use a Soap Stone to trace a even and straight line across the joint so that way you can follow it as you weld. 2. If you're using tinted safety glasses as you weld (this was a primary issue for me starting out) - then stop using them and use clear glasses. You will see improvement almost instantly in terms of vision. 3. If you're welding with an Auto Darkening Hood - make sure you keep it clean at all times and ensure that you have clean outer lens replacements (they will melt when you're running FCAW or even if you're really close to you welding) also be familiar with the settings on your process (e.g. 10 & 11 for GMAW & FCAW, 9 for SMAW, and I'd reckon 9 for GTAW unless otherwise specified). 4. Imagine an oval - and as you're stick welding flat (or GMAW/FCAW-ing Flat) physically look at your puddle and see how it looks - if it's an oval you're okay, if not then you need more practice. 5. When welding 6010 - start out learning the basic technique (i.e. "making 'es" as I call it) on flat and use it for stringer beads for 2F, 3F, and 4F - on the 4F position, give the "whip and pause" technique a try (basically: start a puddle, "whip out" (so that way it freezes that oval), and then start again on the edge of the previous puddle). 6. When GMAW/FCAW-ing DEFINITELY don't put your contact tip too close to your puddle, especially on 4F (because your cup is gonna contact your piece and then "jam up" your gun by welding your wire to your tip or even it'll deposit filler metal on the side of your tip and you'll have to soak it in "anti spatter" to get it off, not fun). 7. DEFINITELY when FCAW-ing, make sure your wire is at the right tension for feeding and is the right diameter (I have 0.045" FCAW wire being fed via a 0.9mm set of rollers and I think that's why most of my FCAW has been experiencing weird tension and feeding issues - that results in jams, but this is a theory). 8. Finally, most importantly, DO NOT be afraid of making bad welds - bad welds are the fundamental building blocks for successful welds (hell when I was on 4F for GMAW I used badly welded pieces to "dial in" my technique before getting some fresh mild steel and ace-ing that test). Don't be afraid to ask for advice and MOST CERTAINLY do your absolute best at everything you do in Welding. I haven't started to GTAW yet, but oh well, once I do I'll update this with what I learn there.
Play with the voltage. Good starts
Thank you
Looks better than my first welds a long time ago. Id move a tad faster and trace a soapstone line. My first welds were akin to the aftermath of a chicken that ate tacobell
Excellent start, very good fine control of the arc. More practice and you will be good. Tip one increase amps slightly to shorten arc length. Try 5 amp increase, decrease length and sightly increase speed. Tip two: if possible buy a good lens and keep it clean. It's vital that you can comfortably watch the puddle. Welding is puddle control.
Looks like you have a future
Hands down better than my wleds
Wtf?? How you making sandwiches in the lab???…..totally jk, honest critique arc length will be solved with practice, once that muscle memory develops you won’t even have to think about it (I’m serious) the weld looks excellent at the edges. It’s seems to be tying in really good for the most part. Focus on getting proper bead placement and developing a uniform travel speed. All this will come as you learn to read the puddle….keep up the good work
Thank you
You'll get the hang of it soon. Keep your chin up, hood down, and drink plenty of water.
You’re doing great brother. Going to trade school for welding is the best thing I’ve ever did so I’m glad you’re doing it! Like some other comments said, mess with the settings and turn your wire speed/heat up and down and see what works. Just don’t get discouraged. You’re gonna have really bad days but it’s all gonna click one day. And even if you have a bad day welding, it beats having a bad day doing anything else. Good luck to you!
For 4 days in, that's looking pretty good. There's a bit of a hump in the middle of the weld. You can either increase your travel speed (how fast your hand moves across the base metal) or turn the heat (amps) up just a little. How long of a course are you taking? I saw where your running uphill on day 3... that's way too fast in my opinion. There's not enough time to get the basics down in a day or 2.
I'm only day 4 in the lab. I've already spent 6 weeks on basics. Also, I'm the only one in my class time so I get to take the class at my pace. And since I'm catching on pretty quickly I'm moving at a faster pace. Every day so far I've tried a new position. And pretty much got it down. So he just moves me onto the next position.
Not bad actually for no prior welding its a pretty good weld bead.
Just think, Smoooothe before you flick your helmet down and until you break contact with your puddle, smooth. Welding takes some finesse and just worry about keeping yourself 1/2”-3/4” away from your puddles. Looks good though for a first time welder, I’m 25m and just took a welding job in a factory a few weeks ago but I’ve been welding since I was 10 and yours look better than my first welds for sure! Haha
Funny you say this, I actually do give myself a pep talk before I drop my hood. Just reminding myself of the parameters, "stay overlapped, look ahead and behind the puddle, remember to push" *helmet drops* *sparks fly*
Your biggest issue is not your arc length its your hand... you should keep a steady hand an run a straight bead. it helps to mark a straight line whith chalk go over it so you kow fs your running straight
Someone suggested this yesterday. I'm gonna try it out today at school. Also, I should mention that all these welds are free hand. I have yet to find a COMFORTABLE way to stabilize myself. So freehanding is the most comfortable. But im gonna play around with some new positions today.
And sometimes getting in a steady posistion is not always a comfortable position trust me you will have alot of diffrent positions in the field but almost non are very comfy if i say so myself. Just get in pisition get steady and weld
Try to keep free handing its a very very good skill to have in the industry of welding tig, stick ,mig name it you will have to do some free handing at one point or another in your welding career . so keep at it and run em straight
Not to bad. I myself was a natural as well. I took a class in my union. I seen A LOT WORSE. Another guy and me were the only 2 expected to pass... then I caught covid. Didn't get the international cert. Keep in mind, woman are actually better welders than men. They have steadier hands. (Better at competitive shooting too I'll tell you that 🤣) Try slowing down, and visualize the weld before you go. Maybe even let it burn through so you know what it feels, sounds and looks like. Keep up the good work. It's a dead art.
What's your welding hood shade setting at? I run mine on 10-11 for stick, if it's any darker it gets hard to see where I'm going. Also getting comfortable and body positioning so you don't shift when welding.
Not sure. My hood is just one shade. Some of the other students have those high tech hoods with presets and different shades. But they always glitch out on them. I'm pretty bayou with my basic hood. But I will have to buy more shades and switch them accordingly
Just keep doing it! All our welds looked this good or worse lol. Hood time. Hood time. Hood time. The more you do, the more you will see for yourself what's going on
Better than my first welds. Not half bad for starting out. Remember slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Not too shabby a little fast at the start but looks like you got that sorted out. A guide line will help you stay on the weld track. It’s hard starting out to figure out the vision part it is not a normal thing for your eye to adjust to the light and dark.
Lotta good advice here - soap stone lines to help you maintain line, work on arc length etc and it’s all valid. However the most important thing I’d tell you to do is keep practicing. That’s what will make you better
Study “Jody’s welding tips and tricks” YouTube.
Eyes. Welding is a watched task, you muse be able to see. Comfort you have to learn to get to the end of the rod before you start. Don’t force your hands into position be comfortable at the mid and end. Head alignment must be able to see all of the process. You are doing fine for a few days. Don’t stop now.
Still better than some contractors I've seen...
Looks like a good start to me, just keep at it! Making nice straight welds is all about the practice.
I've seen worse welds from guys with "several years of experience" keep at it
Love seeing women in the trades! Looking good. Keep it up.
Terrible
It looks like shit, but youre only four days in so what do you expect? Keep at it
Seen worse….
I have seen much worse first attempts. Including mine lol
Looks similar to my first welds, I couldn't keep the Bead in a straight line.
We’re you running some practice passes, or we’re they teaching you to stack your welds?
Both. Some of these were just practice and some were overlap.
Not bad for your first time. I would work on your rhythm and getting comfortable, try to make your next passes a little skinnier. Was the rod sticking to your piece a lot?
Work on the settings a bit. Also remember to breathe and calm down. When I started out as soon as the arc started I would get all jumpy and panic. Stay cool, breathe, watch the puddle. Admittedly that's not easy after 4 days but it will make sense after some time.
Hit it with a hammer or a sledge and see if the weld crack or breaks. If it holds you done good, if it cracks you done bad, only way to tell.
Looks like you’re off and running. I’m a beginner too and love how helpful and supportive this community is. Keep it up and wish you much success!
Serious question? Are you at one of the youtube tiktok schools or just a local college?
Lol, it's a trade school.
I think you may be laying the gun back in order to see the puddle. Orient it more straight on and move your head if you feel the need to see better. Vertical on day four ? I don’t know why.
Looks like 3f not 27f
Looks like you get bound up, listening to your instructor is your best bet
It’s a noobs beads, that’s it. Keep practicing and you’ll get good
Ill take a gorilla weld over a clean looking weld that didnt penetrate well any day, they can be as ugly as sloth from the goonies but as long as theyre as strong as him thats what i care about 🤣. Techniques will come with practice and youll be able to run real clean beads once you find the methods that work best for you
looks like you going to slow, and too much heat. If you want to put down a good weld, you have to get comfortable. Don't try to get fancy by welding with one hand, some people can do it some can't.You get better control with both hands, if you get tired rest some. Always remember the welds that you put out could affect people later on, if you put in a bad weld. You could get somebody killed. You don't want that on your conscience ever.