found these two links on www.aussieveedubbers.com

All info about mig welding. Great explainations for a noob like me.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/choosing_mig_welder.htm

http://www.difflock.com/buyersguide/too ... ing3.shtml

I know I shouldn't be looking at vws but i am getting a bit osessed with kombis at the moment. I just cant stop loking at them.

Your not alone! Big VW fan. My best mates dad owned a VW garage, thats where we spent all our spare time.

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Take it easy, & if it's easy take it twice!!

That second link seemed to have some good info - thanks
I'm starting a welding course on Wednesday night this week - Can't wait! It's a skill I've always wanted to have.

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Good on ya MR BOB.... Welding is a really good skill to have and it's a fair bit harder to master that most people think. I hope you get a lot out of your course. I wish I had the time to do that. I tought myself with help from a mate who's really quite good at welding.

I still think I would get some value at doing a course though.

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-doing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering,
and a few conversions:
13B Extend in a 1600
4EFTE in a mini ute (all slowly)

i am looking at tacking it onto (get it ) the tafe course i am starting next semester

I did a MIG & TIG course, although we also covered arc, gas & bronze welding, plus plasma and gas cutting. Great fun, hugely informative and the most worhtwhile thing I have ever done (almost).

Welding isn't difficult if you learn the basics and learn the method, then it's down to skill, especially when welding thin gauge steel on a Mini - that soon sorts the bodgers from the craftsmen...

I fear I may be the former rather than the later.... but mini steel isn't that thin anyway.

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"Life is not like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapenos. Whatever you do today, may burn your arse tomorrow."

Hey Zizzle, the first step is admitting it.... then you can get help Bodgers anon hehe

anyone got one of those masks that is clear and tints when you start to weld (they discuss in the link)

I havent got one but from what I've read they're not worth getting unless you get a top shelf one. The 'light' tint on alot of the cheap ones is still too dark too see properly. I can't talk from experience though... I'm just using the old flip down one

automatic helmets are handy when you do a lot of tig welding or when your tacking ,
and yes its better to get the more expensive ones as ive found in the past the cheaper ones dont give an even shade across the lense and can give you the same after afects as welding flash.
its best if you can go to a welding supply shop they usaly have demonstration modles you can check out. also try and get a variable shade modle mainly because its easyier to adapt to varios welding situations

Peter.

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A almost Bog Stock 1977 LS
1969 morris mini panel van, a work in progress

Mini steel is thin compared to the 6 - 8mm plate you start to learn on. A lot of the guys on the course I did were getting their ticket for structural welding where penetration into thick plate is required. I spent a lot more time trying to perfect welding thin sheet without burning through.

But it's all down to practice and listening to the welder for the "sizzle" and watching for burning through. It's not hard.

I have an automatic filter in a normal welding mask and it works fine. There are lots of automatic helmets avilable now and they make an enormous difference to your confidence, which is one of the big things with welding - you need to be comfortable and relaxed. A friend of mine was told to always whistle while he welded.

I found breathing helped as well...A lot of people just getting into welding forget to breath as they are concentrating so much.

I have to make my self breath when I am hitting jumps or rails on my snowboard. you get so tense if you are holding your breath.

If your going to get an automatic helmet, you've got to get the one with flames on it!!!

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Take it easy, & if it's easy take it twice!!