How should I weld? Please help

[KartRookie]

I'm buildin a simple one-seater go kart as a school project this year, and I need to weld. I do not own a welder. What is the easiest and least expensive way to o about this, in your experience? I could:
1. Buy a welder (I hear it's about $150)
2. Pay someone to weld (really no idea how much this would cost)
3. Try to find Kart plans that require very little welding

Any suggestions?

 

[DeathStarr89]

I'd pick up a cheap flux core welder from Harbor freight and watch a few how-to videos on Youtube. Then you can just take care of anything that comes up with the kart.

 

[devino246]

Unless you have a few months to learn on scrap, have someone else do the welding. A weld that "looks good" isn't necessarily strong. Don't expect to buy a welder one week and weld together a kart the next.

Cheap welders start at ~$140 and go up from there. You'll also need some good (name-brand) wire, a welding helmet and gloves, at a minimum.

 

[Maine Mud Mower]

Unless you have a few months to learn on scrap, have someone else do the welding. A weld that "looks good" isn't necessarily strong. Don't expect to buy a welder one week and weld together a kart the next.

Cheap welders start at ~$140 and go up from there. You'll also need some good (name-brand) wire, a welding helmet and gloves, at a minimum.

Massively right on the money advice

 

[landuse]

Are you able to buy a frame and then build it up into a kart again, or do you have to make your own frame

 

[DeathStarr89]

I guess you could always bolt the frame together, just use grade 8 bolts and it'll last for a little while.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I'll hop on board with the above advice. A frame should not be your first welding venture, your bee-hind depends on it. Best to practice your brains out for quite some time, first. Maybe build a welding table, or a trailer for hauling with your ATV, or something.

Or, skip the fab-a-frame plan entirely, and buy a fixer-upper.

 

[OzFab]

Welding is a great skill to have but takes time to master. Getting yourself a cheap setup is a great idea but, as mentioned above, you won't be welding this frame together.

Unless you know someone with a welder who knows how to use it, paying someone to weld it will cost you more than a cheap welder but, it'll be done right.

 

[KartRookie]

Thanks

Thanks for the help. I'm trying to explore my options and do this in the cheapest way possible that'll get me a decent result. Do you think it's worth it to look into buying a frame? I don't want to just buy a fixer-upper already-made Kart, but I feel like it would probably be more realistic given my experience level to buy a frame. How much would one cost?

 

[DS13]

Thanks for the help. I'm trying to explore my options and do this in the cheapest way possible that'll get me a decent result. Do you think it's worth it to look into buying a frame? I don't want to just buy a fixer-upper already-made Kart, but I feel like it would probably be more realistic given my experience level to buy a frame. How much would one cost?

it is worth your time to look into finding a frame. a bulk of the work goes into a frame anyway. in all reality buying a frame is gonna be alot cheaper than building your own. frames can cost anywhere from $100-$200 id say.

what area are ya from? because if ya ask really nicely you could get a couple members to look around on craigslist or ebay for a couple of decent frames, some members may even have a frame you could buy off of them.

 

[OzFab]

frames can cost anywhere from $100-$200 id say.

Man, they must be expensive around your way; I've seen guys on here picking up frames for as little as $50... no, wait, there was one or two were lucky enough to pick one up for free but, I don't want to create false hope, they happened to be in the right place at the right time...

Prices do vary depending on location & condition but, the best tips are above me

 

[Doc Sprocket]

In addition to the above, giving us your location may even spark another member to donate (or sell cheap) to you.

 

[Blue Finisher]

And just remember..Zero welding experience plus a great welding machine is not a good combination. But good welding experience with a low end welding machine can be made work. I concur with the prior posts, Get yourself a cheap welder and learn the skill, or have someone with that skill to do it for you.
And in my opinion safety is paramount.

 

[KartFab]

And just remember..Zero welding experience plus a great welding machine is not a good combination.

I disagree, I bought a used miller TIG welder a few months ago with only a little stick welding done when I was a kid. I learned how to weld on it and now am laying a decent bead. You cant go wrong buying a great machine, even if you suck at welding.

If you decide welding is not for you, you can always sell it for about what you payed for it. If you buy a crappy welder, forget about resale value.

 

[rmm727]

I'd say the other way around is true. If you have a crap machine, it still might not weld the best even with an experienced welding. Those Millers with the Autoset feature adjust for how you hold the gun. Makes like much easier when you haven't welded a particular thickness before.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

My Two cents:

While there is some truth to the adage that working with slightly substandard equipment can have a tendency to drive you to excel, the following is a far greater truth-

Working with st equipment can be a frustration experience. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you cannot achieve good results working with garbage. This is true whether we're talking welding, machining, maybe even playing a guitar. Picture trying to build a straight, plumb wall while using 2x4's that are all badly twisted. Or painting using a stiff brush. Imagine the trouble I had years ago with my first 6-string electric guitar. Bloody thing wouldn't stay in tune through a whole song no matter what I did. How can this possibly help you? It can't.

Buy the best you can afford, and you are only limited by your own ability...

 

[DS13]

My Two cents:

While there is some truth to the adage that working with slightly substandard equipment can have a tendency to drive you to excel, the following is a far greater truth-

Working with st equipment can be a frustration experience. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you cannot achieve good results working with garbage. This is true whether we're talking welding, machining, maybe even playing a guitar. Picture trying to build a straight, plumb wall while using 2x4's that are all badly twisted. Or painting using a stiff brush. Imagine the trouble I had years ago with my first 6-string electric guitar. Bloody thing wouldn't stay in tune through a whole song no matter what I did. How can this possibly help you? It can't.

Buy the best you can afford, and you are only limited by your own ability...

100% the truth

 

[Blue Finisher]

toystory_4wd,
I don't disagree with you, but until you can buy a welding machine that does it all for you while you drink your coffee in your garage, very bad welds will be made by a new guy learning to weld.
Experience makes a good welder, not a welding machine. Even a CNC welder has to be programmed correctly.
Sorry if you believe I'm wrong, just my old welding teachers words ringing in my ears. ha ha

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Hey- opinion is what makes us all individuals, right? I'm not suggesting you are "wrong" either. The point I am simply trying to make is that working with total garbage is NOT conducive to improving skills. There IS a middle ground. "Adequate" equipment certainly can help bolster your skill set, being able to make the most of what you have. Believe you me- I am reigning king of "tight budget", and have certainly served my time with substandard stuff. This is why I say to buy the best that you can afford.

One further word on basic welding that I learned over the years- Pay the good money for the good wire! I have used cheapo chinese wire in a perfectly good Lincoln with lousy results- and I have YEARS of experience. That is one thing that is certainly worth a few extra dollars.

 

[Blue Finisher]

Yeah toystory_4wd...
I agree with you. The $250 ones are the cheapest I would even consider these days.
And you are 100% correct about the chinese flux core wire, It is crap. get the better welding wire and rods and the tungston for Tig rigs too.