Monthly meeting idea?

[little_joe]

I was wondering if anyone 1) would be interested in a day-long session on How to Weld and 2) if anyone would be willing to host and teach it?

I'd gladly contribute for the materials needed and (selfishly) would like to start learning.

[nc_fjizzle]

I really want to learn how to weld. I'd help cover the cost of materials as well.

[southerncruiser62]

Well I am definitely up for the idea and if some would like I could provide a welder (MIG). We could do both Flux-Core Welding (requires no gas supply) and standard MIG welding with a gas supply.

When would this likely take place, opinions?

[GarnerFJ40]

I've got a MIG, but I'll be out of the country starting on the 16th for two weeks. And, I only know what my brother taught me, so I'm no teacher....

[swampthing]

This sounds cool! I'd be willing to chip in for materials as well.

[Fort Knox]

I'm in!

[addicted56]

I've got a mig as well. Currently running flux wire and 110V. Easy to bring. That way we don't have to switch out spools. They can see the difference.

Who has the metal???? (I've got a few peices of scrap but not enough).

[shinton]

Hit up DH Griffin here in Gso (or your own local scrapmetal yard) for lots of cheap steel to weld on. In fact you can pick up stuff for building projects pretty cheap too.

We did this a few years ago with Triad 4wda (local non dues club) and it was great. Bill Carver had been welding for years and showed us his equipment and some basics.

If it works out where I can come I will bring my ReadyWelder, which is a portable MIG welder. I bought it off a local 4x4er who is a dealer and it has been a good compromise for me, having something I can use at home AND take with me on the trail. (Good enough for most little projects, would not build a tube chassis with it, but WILL likely build some bumpers this year!)

Dad and I then bought a used Miller AC/DC stick welder last year, the reason I wanted it was the DC side can be used as a source of electric for my ReadyWelder Readywelder.com | There's nothing like it! I got the model 10000ADP which has the DC power supply doohicky.

Since then we ended up just doing mostly stick welding and dad has built a big subframe for under his tractor for mounting a front end loader with the Miller box. (You can pick up AC boxes cheap, $150-200ish, I think we paid $200 and change for our Miller ac/dc which was a good buy - craigslist)

Helmets - ebay has a decent autodarkening mask for $40-50ish with the solar (no battery) powered part. We used it quite a bit over the last 2 years and then I bought pop a nicer Hobart $125ish version that has a bigger lens for his bifocals.

So all that to say, ReadyWelder is a good option, hopefully I can bring it and let you try it out. Makes a good comprimise for the hobby guy, mated with our ac/dc machine it is a pretty decent setup for home too.

On the trail, you put 1, 2 or 3 batteries in series and use fluxcore wire, not really pretty but does fix stuff. Obviously you can do this at home too..

[Mtbcoach]

Another vote for being a student and paying for materials...

[1974FJ]

im down, im always wanting to learn more. I can show/explain what i know, im sure theres something i dont. Count me in for a teachers assistance. I dont have flux, and i wont be able to bring my gas bottle, so beer is all i can bring.