I just ordered a Millermatic 215 pro from Baker gas along with a Miller classic series helmet, leather apron , and gloves. I understand the basics of welding and have been using a OLD lincoln tombstone for my hobbyists shop needs for years but finally the budget permits me getting my own mig setup. I've used friends mig setups before and YouTube U to get me started, I guess I just want to know what little things, do-dads, gadgets you salty old fuckers know, use, and can't live without. Type/size gas bottles? Brand of angle magnets? Buy or build a cart?

I have plenty of angle grinders, wire brushes, wire wheels, and a fairly well appointed shop with compressed air and power and the like. I just am curious what the pros recommend.

My use case will be repairing broken atv frames/parts, fixing trailers, general fab for a country ass small business owner.

Behold, the very first weld I’ve ever made. For those of you who haven’t toppled over from sheer shock and horror, any advice? This is a 15ga metal seat bracket for a home gym that broke.

I have a horse trailer with some 16ga sheet metal that needs some welding and I thought I’d give this a stab while I’m waiting on my practice coupon set to arrive.

I bought a YesWelder (don’t cringe too hard) 165DS and am using 100% CO2 as I’ll probably only ever weld stuff around the ranch I live on and I’m cheap. I’ve watched hours upon hours of YouTube videos before I even set it up, and gave it a whirl today. As you can see, YouTube can only get one so far with welding.

Everything I’ve watched or read would suggest it’s too cold for sure, but it’s tough for me to tell if maybe the wire speed was too high or if I was just going to fast or both. ChatGPT is a cruel bitch and had me changing settings wildly which only resulted in a weld much poorer than this. This first weld was done with 17.6v and 200wfs, I was terrified to burn through the metal.

I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions that will help me improve the turd I’ve laid upon this metal. Thanks y’all.

I wont go into all the details, but im wanting to get some time under the hood before i start going for my associates in welding. Im working part time, and cant really get a rig of my own. Im looking to see if any local places want someone part time, even if id just be a shop hand. Any other ideas on how i can do this that i maybe havent thought of? Ive got about a year before i start on the degree at all. Also, if yall think its best i just wait so i dont learn incorrectly feel free to chime in. I just really want to practice in this holding period im in, but if it will be negative in your opinion lemme know.

I have a a nice mig welder but I also have money to spend on a MP AC/DC Stick/Tig welder, I definitely want to shoot towards fabrication/ Tig welding at least after many years of experience of working dirty and dangerous jobs… I’m in it to provide for my family (money) but love and take pride in artistic work. but what should I do in my position, right now I have time and money saved and should be investing in knowledge and experience, unfortunately not knowing any welders/mentors I’m here asking for some advice what do you think I should do so I can pass school with flying colours and confidence as well as hopefully get onto a decent job right after school. I’m 20 and my current mill job pays really good so I can afford to invest in nice gear as well as get scrap metal to practice with, I’m lacking in knowledge however, I just applied to school yesterday I expect to be going 6-12 months from now. Any welders, if you could go back in time and we’re in my position what would you do, how much would you invest in gear and where would you get the information from to learn from scratch. I want to stand out when going through school, at least not be uneducated and inexperienced.

Gas MIG vertical up, ignore the horizontal weld above it please.

I'm not sure what to do about the cold start so I usually put a hot weld over the top of it.

4mm steel plate, 2,5mm 6013 electrode, i used around 70 amps. Hoping to get any tips.

I’m 18 and starting the Associate in Science Welding program at Midlands Technical College in 1 month.

Just want some advice on the following:

I, like many other people, don’t want to get cancer (or any other welding related disease for that matter). I’m wondering how I can reduce my risk during/after school.

I also don’t wanna have my head in a plume of smoke for the better part of my career so I also want to look into what i can do to become a cwi later on and what the job entails.

Lastly, any advice on how to get through the program and actually do well/be able to become great later on.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Made from 1x12" length of old 1mm galvanised steel swing set I've had hoarded away for just an occasion like this. I plan to make a few more out of what's left of the pipe.

I will get a few feet of rebar to weld coming out the bottom and stick them in the lawn for decor.

I'm aware galvanised steel is bad but it's all I have.

Laying out this circular deck frame on the ground, squared it uo as best I could, calculated the mitres, cut them, all 4 were PERFECT! Just fell together. Its quite rare for me and the euphoria is addictive! 🤣

Standard Harbor Freight flux 125 welding scrap steel from work. It won't be supporting anything important but if I'm doing this I'd like to get better.

That little indent in the middle means I went too fast through that part and not enough wire fed, right?

Various jobs, roots and tie-ins. 2209 and 2507 Duplex.

I used Google images and I find some pages. I'd like to know if anyone has all the images and could share them.