learning to weld?

[Weetabix]

If you're in a suburban environment (i.e. not on a homestead and with no real equipment around), what sorts of things might you weld as projects or for practice? I've been tangentially interested in welding for quite some time, but I've never really known what I'd do with it, living as I do.

[Weetabix]

For a "Real" setup...

You can get a Victor medium duty kit for not much more: http://www.amazon.com/Thermadyne-0384-2 ... elding+kit

Or a heavy duty even for less if you don't mind third party: http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-2646- ... elding+kit

Or a "clamshell" kit for far less: http://www.amazon.com/Thermadyne-0384-2 ... elding+kit

Then you rent your tanks for a few bucks a month from your welding supply company.

I'm guessing the medium duty would be a reasonable place to start?

What does a "clamshell" kit imply? How is it different?

[Aglifter]

The pros know far more than I, but, unless someone says otherwise, I strongly suggest one if those "auto darkening" helmets.

[Netpackrat]

The pros know far more than I, but, unless someone says otherwise, I strongly suggest one if those "auto darkening" helmets.

Those are great for arc welding (stick, tig, mig, etc) so long as you get a quality unit, as noted above. But for oxy-acetylene you need the specific shade lens for that which is much lighter than an arc welding lens, and there is no auto-darkening version.

[free_me]

A buddy of mine made a compelling argument against the HF cylinders; your local gas supply house may not refill them unless they're verified and pressure tested.

[Netpackrat]

Gas cylinders? From Harbor Fright?