How to decide what welding process to learn if you want to start welding as a hobby

People want to learn how to weld for many specific reasons. Most start as a hobby in their spare time, welding things ornamental garden structures, go carts, shop equipment or fixing tools and equipment. With todays advances in welding equipment, this rewarding and handy skill is in anyones reach. There are four basic processes of welding that are relevant to the hobby welder. Oxyacetylene welding uses a torch flame to heat the metal to its melting point. An welding rod is fed into the pool to act as a filler. Stick Welding uses an electrical arc to melt the metal and a flux to help clean the weld in a process called Shielded Metal Arc Welding or SMAW. When Stick Welding the electrode is used up to act as the filler. MIG Welding or gas metal arc welder (GMAW) also uses an electrical arc but instead of flux it uses a shielding gas to protect the weld pool. The filler is fed through the tip of the welding gun off a spool by an electric motor. A TIG Welder generates the electrical arc on a Tungsten electrode and also uses an inert shielding a welding rod is hand fed into the weld pool to act as a filler.. There are other types of welders such as spot welders, laser welders and other specialized welders, but these are not practical for home use.

The first thing you should do if you want to learn welding is decide which process is most suited for the type of welding projects you wish to do. If you do your research and answer these basic questions you will be much happier than if you rushed out and bought the first welder that caught your eye.. Welders are often quite expensive, so make sure you get the right welder for the jobs you wish to do.

Oxyacetylene torches are universal and can be used to weld almost anything. You can weld any kind of metal with Oxyacetylene. Oxyacetylene torches are also excellent for cutting metal as well as brazing and soldering pipe.

Stick Welders are the most versatile out of the electric welders. It is mostly used to weld steel, iron, and stainless steel. A stick welder will also weld aluminum, copper alloys and nickel. Stick welding is used throughout the metal fabrication and construction industries.

MIG Welders where originally created to weld non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, tin, copper, zinc and brass. It has been adapted to, and is now commonly used to weld steel as well. MIG welders are the most commonly used welding process in the automobile industry. It is easy to learn, adaptable and the best choices for someone who wants to start welding as a hobby. The advantages of MIG welding are the ease of creating strong, reliable welds without spending too much time learning.

TIG Welding is used to weld stainless steel, aluminum and other light metals. TIG Welders give you the greatest control over the weld allowing better looking, stronger welds. TIG Welding is much more difficult to learn than MIG welding, so it is not as commonly used except for specific applications where it is the superior process. With enough practice, and skill, TIG Welds can be of unsurpassed strength and reliability.

If you are interested in welding, The Welder Shop has an extensive selection of Lincoln Welders, Miller Welders and other welders for you to choose from. We also have welding supplies, informative articles and reviews of welders.