So, you want to weld things?

Everything you need to start welding, below.

Why?

I decided to learn how to weld. While a welding machine itself is kind of expensive, I was mildly surprised by how little else you need to get going and make some (basic, but seriously strong) physical structures.

It seemed to me like the relevant information was spread across a handful of different sources, and this made the very first “pick up a machine and try it” step a little more difficult than it needs to be. I thought I’d consolidate the information that I felt I needed to begin in one place, in case that might help anyone else who wants to start.

I am not a welder, and this does not constitute professional advice. If you place any credence in my words, you will surely burn your house down, electrocute yourself, blind your neighbor’s dog, and many worse things. You proceed at your own risk.

What process should I start with?

I don’t know. Some people say you’ll “learn more” if you start out with stick welding. Perhaps they’re right, but I’d just start with whatever is most convenient.

The list below is not particular to any process. It covers all of the other things that you might forget and end up accumulating over many false-starts.

Do you have anything to tell me about actually welding?

Nope. You can have my list of what you need to get started though!

List of things:

PDF here:

Welding Checklist for Getting Started

Extra thoughts:

If you’re using a flux process (flux-cored wire or stick welding), you’ll want a slag hammer.

You can get by using a manual wire-brush for all your brushing needs, but I’m much happier using a right-angle drill with a wire-brush attachment. A regular drill would work too, but it torques the wrist unpleasantly.

If you’ve tried all the standard troubleshooting but still can’t get a decent weld, you may want to check the voltage available to your welder. I learned the hard way that, in some circumstances, a long extension cord can impart a significant-enough voltage drop that it’s nearly impossible to weld properly.

Learn a thing or two about testing your welds before you trust them in any kind of safety-critical application. It is possible for a weld to look OK, especially to an untrained eye, but to fail destructively when it’s rolling down the highway at 70mph.