welding

[Charliesbunnies]

Hi!

We're looking to cut some costs of doing our T3 up, by doing the welding ourselves. Just one thing. We've never welded anything in our life before. How easy is it to learn? We do have quite a lot to do...

Thanks!

[kevtherev]

your local college will have courses on mig welding.
or a welder will charge around £30 an hour, and if the van is prepared for the patch or panel, you can get a lot welded in that time.

[Jonnyb416]

I was in the same position a while back and after attempting welding I decided to pay someone to do it for about £18 an hour. Kev's advice about getting the area prepared then paying a welder to do the actual welding is a great call. I do that, as it's a lot easier (for me) to grind and cut metal, preparing the body for a welder to patch it up. I then do all the protecting afterwards and obviously read stuff on here that helps out loads. I'm sure I will learn how to weld at somepoint just maybe when I'm a bit older and have more time. Jon.

[Wookster]

Give it a go is my advice. A s/h welder can be had for around £50 to learn with.
Start with gasless if you can cos it's cheaper to set up, although messier to work with.
Just avoid anything structural until you are confident.

Loads of advice here http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php and plenty on utube etc too.

I could show you the basics in an hour, got to be someone local willing to help out maybe on the above forum.

[The Bishop]

I'm new to it.

My advice is play about. Try making other stuff first - like a fire pit. and then move on to he van,

[jimpainter]

Don't just go welding your van, you will end up with more holes than you started with
Get a welder and by all means have a go, or get on a college course, alternativly loads of info here
mig-welding.co.uk

Cutting and grinding to reduce the cost can be done but more often than not the person who could be doing your welding would/could do it a different way, and if you get it wrong it could cost you more in the long run.

JIm

[Trunkster]

I had a bit of weldinge done by a local garage. I asked if I could watch. He showed me what he was doing and an hour later I was doing it myself! I then went back a couple of times when he was welding other vehicles. I only watched because they were customers cars. Now I am looking to buy a welder and do my own in future. College couses are a good idea but talking to people who have done them they say it is full of kids messing around. You cant beat old fashioned one to one.

[rob1927]

Learn to do it yourself, it's more fun!

[Bigjcc55]

DIY!

[fazzer]

theres more to it than just welding,im a welder by trade also a mobile welder,youve gotta make sure all rot is removed and in most cases the panels have got to be made to fit.if you where local to me id gladly let you have a go with my welder.

[Plasticman]

welding itself is fairly easy , doing it right takes time and practice, id say as others have, learn on something else as you will more than likely ruin your van if you learn on that
mm

[sarran1955]

Hello,

You people worry me....

I've been welding for over 35 years, still do it every day 8.75 hrs a day, building large farm machines.

I have a big metalworking workshop at home, equipped with a REHM German MIG/MAG plant.

The plant is still worth about 1000€, plus the gas 78€ per refill (B20 cylinder), plus a good quality wire ( 0.8 mm dia 15 kg spool about 56€).

I have clients, bringing their disasters, who tell me how to weld the thing.

Dont buy a toy plant.

Do an evening course.. car body work and thin section welding.

If you don't want to follow this advice, then I have another suggestion:

Buy a second hand electric piano on E bay... bang about on it for an hour or so... become a famous concert pianist... earn loads of money... and then employ a skilled welder to do the job properly.

Sorry to seem sceptical, but really , welding is a skilled trade, that is why we have licences which are renewed every 2 years.

Enjoy the piano...

Cordialement,

[kevtherev]

Sarran... you crack me up

well put

[Plasticman]

I aint got no licence..
mm

[mrdp]

Buy a half handy Mig set. If doing it outdoors ( on the drive!! ) maybe a gasless set. you can get sets that do both gas and gasless. I agree with everyone else about trying out on things that aren't your van!! my first welding of my van was by the seat belt mounts, so under the cab mats just incase it wasn't perfect ,but it came out well. I was really pleased with myself and consider that MY first repair covered the cost of the kit as I hadn't had to pay a welder now I have the kit for any future welding bought and paid for .I would recommend a helmet with an auto dim glass,much easier .