Ahoy there

[secretsmoker]

Hello there,

I am currently a few weeks in to a City & Guilds level 1 course. I actually joined this course accidentally thinking it was the cheaper 'hobby welding' course but no matter; this course hopefully may turn into a useful qualification one day!

My motivation for starting the course is the rusty MX5 drifter sat SORNed in my garage. I want to get it back out on the road for drift days next year but the rusty holes in the sills are currently a guaranteed MOT failure!

Since the only previous experience I have with molten metal is soldering (I make my own pcbs etc), I thought I had better try to get off to a good start with some professional instruction.

The course is progressing quite well, I am currently 3 weeks in and on to my 4th MIG test piece (T-fillet flat position) and I have to say I am enjoying the experience immensely!

I shall be needing some pointers on how to attack my sills. Pics to follow.

 

[SiPMerlin150]

Hello there and welcome to the forum!

Firstly, We're glad you're enjoying learning the basics of MIG welding.
Level 1 C&G is a good step towards learning to weld if you have absolutely no experience of welding before. A lot is going to be about safety and learning the basic components of the welding machine.

Before tackling your car, you will need to get some steel similar thickness to your car and practise welding on this before taking on your car. Theres a massive world of difference between welding clean steel in a learning enviroment such as your college, and being on your back on a cold possibly wet concrete floor with hot sparks landing in your ears, down your top and burning your scalp. Rusty old metal is often so thin that the lowest setting on your MIG would still burn holes.

Its all down to practise and experience, but you'll enjoy it!

Tip: When welding under cars, overhead, or even anywhere, purchase good quality PPE like a full one piece overalls (proban fire retardant), a leather welding jacket and gloves, a good auto visor and good boots.

It'll be fun though!

 

[secretsmoker]

Some excellent points. I am in the process of trying to assemble all the PPE necessary whilst I can still use some of the college gear. Hopefully by the time I come to be doing any work at home I should be all set.

Already thinking about doing the level 2 course whilst I'm at it. I am by no means a natural at this but I am getting a lot of pleasure out of operating the fry-cannon so far!

My tutor has offered to let me have a go on some thinner stuff with gasless wire using the little mig unit he has lying around in his office so I can get a feel for it a bit more after completing my test pieces.

There is a breaker locally so when I hire a welder I will get some nasty bits from him to practice cleaning up then joining before I tackle the job in hand.

Cheers for all the pointers, I need all the help I can get!

 

[SiPMerlin150]

You're welcome for the information! Gasless isn't the best idea to use on thin body panels, as the penentration is too great and again will blow holes in the body work. However, it IS possible with practise but its not going to be very pretty looking

Might be better owning your own MIG? Depends on how often you weld.