Scrap steel for welding practice?

arthur1265

arthur1265

Well-known member
Hey guys,

Sorry my next hobby i want to learn is how to weld.... thinking of picking up flux core welding as it seems easier than stick.. and cheaper than mig/tig...

My question is if anyone knows where to get cheap or free throwaway pieces of steel that i could practice on... once i know that then i think i will pull the trigger on ordering the welder.
 
berth

berth

Well-known member
I dunno, do folks give away things like old bed frames on CL? That might be a decent source.
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
bed frames are painted
OK for projects after you grind the paint a good distance away from the weld but too much of a hassle for practice/learning
You want good, clean steal, not rusted up or painted stuff.
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
buellistic said:
Flux core Is Mig..
Click to expand...

The g in MIG stands for Gas. Inert gas. Unless you run gas and Fluxcore at the same time Fluxcore is not mig

as to the question, find a metal supplier and dig through the scrap pile. Scraps are cheap, you'll spend more in gas and time chasing down "free" scraps
 
arthur1265

arthur1265

Well-known member
Thanks guys for all the responses, yes i meant i did not want to use full-blown Mig, however am aware that a flux-core generally uses a mig machine...

I am mainly just looking to weld little things here and there.. most recently to add some beef to a folding trailer that i assembled and modified to have removable jet ski bunks.. (needed folding due to space limitations getting it into backyard).. most cost effective to do little stuff like that seems to be either flux core or stick.. which flux core looks a lot easier to pick up and learn...




metalmaster said:
if you were closer I could fill a truck up for you
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I might take you up on that.. I go up north a fair bit going to buddies lake house and the likes...will reach out via pm
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
I find Mig easier to use then flux core. Much cleaner welds but it may be my low skill level. Stick is better to use if your fixing rusty, nasty broken brackets on your tractor or building a bridge out of 1/2" plate. The bigger the blob, the better the job.
 
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arthur1265

arthur1265

Well-known member
auntiebling said:
The g in MIG stands for Gas. Inert gas. Unless you run gas and Fluxcore at the same time Fluxcore is not mig

as to the question, find a metal supplier and dig through the scrap pile. Scraps are cheap, you'll spend more in gas and time chasing down "free" scraps
Click to expand...

Looks like there are a few different metal suppliers in the area.. I'll give em a call to see if they have a scraps bin of steel.

Thanks!
 
M

motomania2007

TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
There are many metal supply houses where you can buy stuff.

You can also run down to Gilroy to South Bay Metals and buy steel at scrap prices.

About 15 years ago I built an entire 5 rail moto trailer out of steel I bought at South Bay Metals
 
arthur1265

arthur1265

Well-known member
motomania2007 said:
There are many metal supply houses where you can buy stuff.

You can also run down to Gilroy to South Bay Metals and buy steel at scrap prices.

About 15 years ago I built an entire 5 rail moto trailer out of steel I bought at South Bay Metals
Click to expand...

dravnx said:
I used to buy from Alco in Oakland.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendations, will definitely be hitting them up depending on if i go north or south in the coming weeks.

Guess I will continue my search for a good entry level flux core welder :ride
 
M

metalmaster

Well-known member
if you can you should try for a full mig setup with gas, the cheaper welders are pretty disappointing and will lead to frustration.
 
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