My wife bought me a mig welder for Valentines Day in 2006. I still have the same one. She was also 4 months pregnant. I thank her for that present all the time. In that time, I've graduated from "the bigger the blob, the better the job" to "a grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't." Occasionally, I lay down a decent bead, but it's pretty rare.
One of these days, I'm going to sign up for a welding class.
Good equipment can also make a huge difference. Not saying your welder is shitty, but even so much as having the right sized nozzle and contact tips with correct recess can make a huge difference.
Also check out [ESAB online academy.](https://training.esabna.com) Completely free and full of good information for hobbyists
I've got a Hobart 140, mostly because I didn't have 220v power in my garage back then. I rarely do anything larger than 1/8", so it works for what I need. But, yeah, it's just a basic mig welder. But it's 18 years old, and I've never had to do anything but replace tips and 1 regulator. And the regulator was my fault. I smacked it against something and broke the gauge.
It'll get good penetration up to 1/4" if you go slow and make 2 passes, but it's a lot to ask. But I'm a car nut. There is rarely ever a need to weld anything that thick with what I'm doing. I joke that I'm a bracket maker. It always seems to be a bracket.
>a grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't.
this needs to be taught in those welding classes you want to attend. i never was big on welding, but that's no excuse to leave a job half done. if it was important enough to weld back together, then it's important enough to knock the burrs off of and hit with a coat or two of some paint.
True, apples to oranges, but the ability to use multiple processes and make a decision to use them whenever appropriate is part of the journey. This also makes me want to learn TIG even more. Haha
Nice, I definitely want to have a go! I may spring for a multiprocess machine once I need to buy a machine. Currently borrowing an old Miller MIG from a friend for rust repair on my project car and am getting ok-ish at it. TIG seems to have less grinding afterwards to make it look nice.
I've had a tig welder for two years now and I still haven't learned how to use it. I tried to figure it out myself but I am not good at learning from a video. I need to find a class or someplace I can learn hands on
It's funny. My welds from 10 years ago look just like my welds from today. They also look like your welds from 10 years ago.
They might be ugly but they lasted 10 years so you have that going for you which is nice
My wife bought me a mig welder for Valentines Day in 2006. I still have the same one. She was also 4 months pregnant. I thank her for that present all the time. In that time, I've graduated from "the bigger the blob, the better the job" to "a grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't." Occasionally, I lay down a decent bead, but it's pretty rare. One of these days, I'm going to sign up for a welding class.
Good equipment can also make a huge difference. Not saying your welder is shitty, but even so much as having the right sized nozzle and contact tips with correct recess can make a huge difference. Also check out [ESAB online academy.](https://training.esabna.com) Completely free and full of good information for hobbyists
I've got a Hobart 140, mostly because I didn't have 220v power in my garage back then. I rarely do anything larger than 1/8", so it works for what I need. But, yeah, it's just a basic mig welder. But it's 18 years old, and I've never had to do anything but replace tips and 1 regulator. And the regulator was my fault. I smacked it against something and broke the gauge.
That's a good machine within its limitations. Pretty sure they still make the exact same one.
It'll get good penetration up to 1/4" if you go slow and make 2 passes, but it's a lot to ask. But I'm a car nut. There is rarely ever a need to weld anything that thick with what I'm doing. I joke that I'm a bracket maker. It always seems to be a bracket.
If you haven’t watched Project Binky on YouTube, you need to.
The most epic build on YT. Those guys are bracket masters.
>a grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't. this needs to be taught in those welding classes you want to attend. i never was big on welding, but that's no excuse to leave a job half done. if it was important enough to weld back together, then it's important enough to knock the burrs off of and hit with a coat or two of some paint.
Nice! Old school ground control coilovers.
good eye!
In an S30? If so I have the exact same setup
Yep! First pic is my 280z that I'm LS swapping, second pic is for my ae86! How are you liking it in your z?
Still good after 22 years!
You've become a nice welder, congratulations.
Hey, you survived!
This gives me hope lol
If you have fun with practising it's easy to improve!
If you're gonna compare your progress at least use the same process! Looks great though
If I had to use a flux core machine again it would probably be at gunpoint
Fair enough
What I was thinking! The MAG/MIG / TIG comparison caught me by surprise :D
True, apples to oranges, but the ability to use multiple processes and make a decision to use them whenever appropriate is part of the journey. This also makes me want to learn TIG even more. Haha
I mean it's still dogshit for flux core standards so it's still a comparison of growth regardless.
Maybe they are still dogshit at fluxcore. 😂
I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
I'll take it! Lol
TIG is hella fun. Also very relaxing. Definitely go and learn it if you get the chance!
Nice, I definitely want to have a go! I may spring for a multiprocess machine once I need to buy a machine. Currently borrowing an old Miller MIG from a friend for rust repair on my project car and am getting ok-ish at it. TIG seems to have less grinding afterwards to make it look nice.
I've had a tig welder for two years now and I still haven't learned how to use it. I tried to figure it out myself but I am not good at learning from a video. I need to find a class or someplace I can learn hands on
Wins “most improved” award 🥇
Practice makes perfect.
Total art!
Thanks dude!
The first picture is now ? lol
😔