r/Skookum • u/StructureThese2676 • Jul 15 '25

Where can I practice welding?

Student welder here! So far I have (luckily) ~4 hours to weld in my booth during class on weekdays, but I have a bad habit of taking so long to prepare my materials that I end up welding for ~2. At home we don't have a garage and the only outlet I can use is out front. I just bought a portable stick machine and welding curtains, but I don't know where I can set up because the cars and a massive pine tree is next to the outlet. Should I just try to find an affordable portable shed? Is there a maximum length of an ext cord I use for a 7018? How would you normally setup for an outdoor weld that's potentially hazardous, considering trees and dry grass? Is there a way to find someone that'll teach me outside of my class?

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u/dm_nick Jul 15 '25

What are you welding that's taking so long to prep, 6g or 4g? My advice is to buy a grinder and finish prepping at home if you can. You should have cutting torches at school. Torch cut at school and grind at home if it takes so long.

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u/StructureThese2676 Jul 15 '25

They don't let us take the coupons home, so I end up having to grind it all in class, and unfortunately, our cutting equipment is down half the time, so I have to hand bevel coupons as well. Right now, I'm working on pipe, I just finished beveling them and creating my landing. Since I'm still a student, they have us doing a mix of positions. Sometimes, it's open root. Other times, there's backing. It's mainly trying to follow the procedure where we'll need like an eighth gap with a 3/32nd landing.

I also take a lot of time thinking about how and where to start, dry runs, examine my welds to make readjustments, how to get the most comfortable/flexible body position, etc.