okay, i have flyer from the local adult school. they offer a welding class, which im willing to take in a couple of months when i turn 18. they offer 5 types of welding classes.

1. Oxy Acetylene Gas Welding
2. Sheilded Metal Arc Welding
3. G.M.A.W
4. G.T. A. W
5. Flux cored ARC welding.

what do the names mean? and can any of these type be used on my chevelle when doing some type of repair?

thanks in advance. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

GTAW= also know as TIG Tungsten inert gas
GMAW= also know as MIG Metal inert gas
Oxy acetlyene=also know as the gas wrench ;)
Flux core arc = stick welding
Shielded metal arc is similar to MiG

Yes they are all beneficial to restoration and fabrication.

A career in one of those fields is ok too

1. This is commonly called a "torch". It is two tanks, one with acetylene a flamable gas and oxygen which makes the flame burn hotter. It is a very nice tool to have around but for your average welding on a restoration project, out dated. It takes much more time to learn the skills and just not used very much anymore. But just for the cutting torch it is good to have around. And of course, if you are doing fabrication work like on a street rod it is very useful.

2. I don't know!

3. This is a "Gas Metal Arc" commonly called a MIG. Though improperly because MIG is "Metallic inert gas". The CO2 that is usually used in a 75/25 mix with 75% being Argon is no "inert", so if you have a MIG using the common 75/25 mix you really don't have a MIG but a GMA welder. It has a sheilding gas that protects the weld from impurities in the air. It is basically a "controled short" with electricity melting a wire "rod" that is fed into the weld with the neg cable from the welder connected to the metal you are welding.

4. Is a good old "arc welder" the tried and true welder used in millions of home shops making anything from auto frames to metal gates. It uses a "stick"/welding rod that you put in a clamp on the end of a cable. You clamp on to the metal with the ground off the welder. When you "strike" the rod or stick onto the metal that is grounded the rod melts, mixing with the metal that is grounded. It is again, out dated for your typical auto use. It is however still used in industrial applications.
The MIG (GMAW)is the way to for your home garage. smile.gif

Originally posted by pmullaly:
GTAW= also know as TIG Tungsten inert gas
Ahhh, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding smile.gif

#1 is normal gas or torch welding good first step in learning to weld. It allows you to gain the skills needed to control puddle, torch, and welding rod.

#2 is stick welding.

#3 MIG

#4 TIG

#5 is mig without the gas. It uses a special wire that has flux inside. This is used on cheaper mig machines (wire feed welders) and for welding outside where a breeze will blow away your shielding gas.

Start with gas and then if you are going to use welding for body work, learn MIG (GMAW).

David Selko

LOL, between all the different info and me messing up on the "numbers" poor Enrique isn't going to have a clue. smile.gif


Dave is right on all discriptions. smile.gif

number 3 and 4 are "Gas Metal Arc Welding" and "Gas Tungsten Arc Welding"

If you take the course PRACTICE! The course that is taught is very good info to learn. Also some schools sell used equipment or have Reps that hawk their wares. Learn all that you can it will hrelp in the future.

thanks guys. i was hoping that one of those would be TIG of MIG, guess they have both. no i have to find out if they have some type of waiver for minors. two months is too much. :D

graemlins/thumbsup.gif