fixing a mig welder

[DaiSan76]

Odds are he was willing to do the job for low pay. We love to make decisions based on the cost, rather than the quality in this country.

 

[builder bob]

i think the reason why he hasn't bothered to learn is that there is no class that it would be needed for. all that auto shop is now is (this is exactly what it says in the coarse description): "Auto shop, learn how to check your cars oil and fill the tires with air." it's not rely his fault, no one ever uses the equipment we've got.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

"Auto shop, learn how to check your cars oil and fill the tires with air."

Are you serious? WTF? Man- waaaay back when I took auto shop, (maybe 25 years ago) we were rebuilding engines and all kinds of stuff. That's just... sad. Tires and oil? What the heck do you do on day 2?

 

[builder bob]

ya that's what my dad said! you guys were lucky, you actually got to do something that isn't common sense! i have no idea what you'd do the next day, or for the next 45 mins of class, but i will never take that class! maybe if they would show you how to take out the spark plug... lol
at least the teacher let's me use all the tools in the building.

 

[builder bob]

"Auto shop, learn how to check your cars oil and fill the tires with air."

i checked my school's sight and they've got a new explination of what the class is (i guess that was last year's and it was so horrid that they changed it), no it says "The course covers the basic
functions of the automobile, routine maintenance, repairs and trouble shooting". that's not quite as bad, i guess if you've never done anything other then computer stuff ack2 that would be a very important class, but a lot of the description was about finding a good mechanic and stuff.

i'm going to try and figure out how to get pics off my phone so i can show you guys what i find on the welder. i'm also going to print off the important bits from this thread, show them to the teacher, and get him to let me try and fix it.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Makes you grateful for what you've got, that's for sure. Well, at least the instructor is kind enough to give you free run.

 

[builder bob]

yup!

 

[OzFab]

i think the reason why he hasn't bothered to learn is that there is no class that it would be needed for.

1. Then what's the point in having the equipment
2. Maybe because there's no one who knows how to use it

 

[Doc Sprocket]

1. Then what's the point in having the equipment
2. Maybe because there's no one who knows how to use it

That's a vicious bloody circle, innit?

 

[builder bob]

i don't why my school has all this stuff and it's been disused for 15 years at least. also it's hard to find welding classes here. the one class i found is taught by a nut i'm kind of scared of. he was teaching/letting us pull apart a broken V8 with no instruction when one of the stands broke so he yelled don't look and started welding right beside me. those things are flipping bright, i'm glad my head was turned the other way! he said he was going to get us some parts from a car dump, we went their and he bought parts for his horrible "race car". when we left the place he broke the rear weals of the bus free from the drive way so he could see how fast he could pass one of those signs that tells you the speed your going. he was able to get the bus to 70 preaty quick... i rely need to get some pics of the welder. i definitely don't want to take a welding class with that guy!

 

[souperman000]

I wouldn't either...

Sounds like you should go to HF, get a $100 welder and teach yourself.

Obviously keep pursueing this MIG welder. It will be really interesting to work on and a really good feeling when you fix it.

 

[builder bob]

when is the important thing, i have a max of 2 times a week to work on it for a little more then an hour.

my mom's rely against me teaching myself to weld but i'll try and change that.

so you guys recommend harbor freight stuff? the one that i went to once had some horrible stuff their. rusty engines, there was leaked oil under some tools and it all looked like junk. maybe it was just that place but...

 

[souperman000]

If you have a free run of the welder, can you not ask to take it home to work on it?

It was probably just that store. I have heard the cheap welder at Harbor Freight is a good beginner machine. Why is your mom against you learning? As long as you are wearing the correct safety equipment, doing it in a safe place, and being careful
(not stupid) it is relatively safe. I was taught to weld a few weeks ago, he showed me how to do it (maybe a minute or two of instruction) and then said, "your turn." and walked to the other side of the shop. I picked it up pretty quick. Obviously not a master yet...

 

[builder bob]

i can try and take it home but my schools probably going to make me sign something even though it's never used.

i think my mom is kind of against teaching myself to weld because of the electrical arc that will melt metal and light that can make you go blind. those are the reasons why i've never welded even though i know that i'd where the protective stuff. it freaks me out and i guess she wants someone to be able to help me.

 

[builder bob]

i've got club tomaro so i probably can get a few pics

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That would be great! Then, we can see what you're dealing with.

 

[builder bob]

ya! i hope i can get the pics for you guys but right now i feel like and don't know if i'll even go in tomaro. we'll see. i also texted a friend to get some pics but i don't know if he'll be able to get them

 

[builder bob]

well i didn't get the pics last week. you'll have to weight a couple more days

 

[builder bob]

i talked to the engineering teacher and i guess they already knew what was the problem. it has a bunch of burnt out electronics and it's cheaper to replace the machine but my stupid school decided to by cnc stuff no one will ever use. oh well

 

[builder bob]

here's my schools welder that they will not buy parts for. what do you have to do to make one of those Harbor Freight flux core welders run MIG? could we get one of those and take the stuff for gas off the old welder?