Learn how to weld/fabricate

[Skyking1992]

I took several cc classes, including oxy torch, stick, and tig. I still don't claim to be a professional, but I have fair skills and a much better understanding of what I'm doing. I think some people may be able to master the skill by being self taught. In my opinion, one of the big advantages of a college class is the theory. You learn some metalurgy and you learn not just how to do something, but why you are doing it a certain way.

Skyking1992

 

[pmason0]

Like others have said it is to what level you want to take it. I worked with a welder that put my cage in my race car. Talked him into giving me a lesson. I spent a little over 4 hours with him. We used my machine, after getting the basics I asked him to change the settings give me some different materials and I would set up the machine as kind of a test. We did most of the weld type, also from different angles up, down, under etc. I was focused on learning how to set up the machine, I can practice being smoother. At the end he asked if I wanted to learn some tig also I said, well let me get better at mug first
Been very happy with my progress, build a welding table, and working on a toolbox base now.

 

[1953mercury]

If available a class is a great idea. On the other hand I think a monkey could learn to mig weld on his own. I was self taught on stick and OA many moons ago, biggest factor is how much you want to do it. Plenty of how-to online now days and practice will be the big factor in the quality of your welds. Mike

 

[BellyUpFish]

I wanted to learn to weld and considered the local CS.

The head honcho is anti-hobbyist. He wants only people who expect to do this for a living..

So.. I bought a Hobart 187 and started gluing metal and then attempted to destroy it..

I'm still learning.. . I need to build a welding table.

 

[ZRX61]

This is what they offer for their welding course. Each class is 4 months long and rougly 4 hours per class.. $150 per credit and each class is 2 credits give or take


Course Prefix Course Name

WEL 116 Welding I (Oxyacetylene)
WEL 120 Introduction to Welding
WEL 121 Arc Welding
WEL 122 Welding II (Electric Arc)
WEL 126 Pipe Welding I
WEL 127 Pipe Welding II
WEL 130 Inert Gas Welding
WEL 141 Welder Qualification Tests I
WEL 142 Welder Qualification Tests II
WEL 145 Welding Metallurgy
WEL 146 Welding Quality Control
WEL 150 Welding Drawing and Interpretation
WEL 160 Semi-automatic Welding Processes



I wouldn't be changing my career or anything like that from IT but I think this would be fun... any down sides to taking the entire thing above if this is not going to be my profession? Who knows i might change but the likely hood of that is slim... this is more for personal growth and knowledge...

Thanks,
-Nigel

My local CC has pretty much the same classes, they also allow people to take several classes at once. I know you can do the Introduction (stick & O/A), Basic O/A, Basic Mig & Blueprints concurrently. Then you can do advanced Mig, Basic Tig etc at the same time.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

So to add onto what I posted earlier and quoted above. I emailed the head guy that instructs the welding classes. I wrote him an email asking him several questions.

He responded:

"I usually offer the classes within the certificate every semester. Each class takes a semester to complete. You can take multiple classes if your schedule permits. The classes run 1 day a week for 16 weeks. They vary from 3-5 hours a day. Each student is responsible for their own tools. The school provides the metal, filler material and shielding gas for the classes. The classes in the certificate program are WEL120, 121, 122, 130, 150 and 160.
If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me again.

Matt"

YUCK.. so I have to supply my own welder and **** like that... I'm going to email him to see if there are other options. I can't imagine if you are first trying to LEARN how to weld and go to school for it that you have to go out and buy a welder? This seems odd to me. Or am I reading this wrong?

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[ZRX61]

YUCK.. so I have to supply my own welder and **** like that... I'm going to email him to see if there are other options. I can't imagine if you are first trying to LEARN how to weld and go to school for it that you have to go out and buy a welder? This seems odd to me. Or am I reading this wrong?

Thanks,
-Nigel

You're reading it wrong, by *tools* they mean chipping hammer, wire brush, grinder with a wirewheel, 2nd grinder with grinding disc (not always required), welding helmet, gloves, welding jacket, decent boots so you don't melt holes in your feet, tip cleaners etc... maybe a few welding magnets, visegrips/clamps.
At my local CC, most of students get one of these bags from Horrible Fright to carry all their gear:
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-inch-rollaway-tool-bag-3264.html

The wirewheel on a grinder is handy for visually improving the look of your welds, some instructors like to see shiny stuff

btw, those handtools may be available from the tool crib at the class, but if you have your own stuff you won't have to use the abused **** they usually have.. or wait in line for something.

One of these will be handy for *inertial adjustment*
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-cross-pein-hammer-69049.html

 

[ZRX61]

As for welding books...

https://www.google.com/search?q=wel...OYj-igLT-4CYCQ&ved=0CJMBELAE&biw=1024&bih=638

This is a great book:
http://toolmonger.com/2006/08/07/book-review-welding-fabrication-repair-questings-and-answers-draft/

So is this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0831133015/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ford33]

When taking a cc welding class the school provides the welders and the other expensive equipment. You provide the basics as mentioned earlier. Our instructor had a couple welding helments to provide students who forgot to bring their helmet to class. Everyone had to have a helmet and a pair of shaded goggles, leather gloves, safety glasses and wear long sleeve cotton shirt and cotton pants and closed toe shoes.

We were not required to wear a welding coat but some students did to keep their shirts from getting burn holes. This was a basic class and we did not perform any overhead or vertical welding.

Ask the instructor for a list of student required items and where to buy them. Schools will have agreements with the local welding supplier who will have special discount pricing for students.

 

[jon.human]

im in my 4th week of a 9 week course for TIG welding, theres no way I would have been able to learn this on my own. I even get stuck now and again until he comes by and says, do this, or that. on my own I doubt I would ever have got a single weld and I watched a ton of howto videos before the class

Tig welding is a completely different beast, for general repair Mig welding is the easiest welding for a someone to learn.

 

[hh76]

While classes are the best way to become a good welder, there is nothing wrong with being self taught, as long as you know your limitations.

Find a good welder. Cheap, off-brand welders can take all the fun out of it.

Watch a bunch of videos (not all youtube "instuctors" are qualified to post videos)

Get a bunch of scrap, and start practicing.

If you don't like it, sell the machine. If you enjoy it, have some fun building non structural items. If you love it, and find you've reached a learning wall, start taking classes.

 

[justanengineer]

Tig welding is a completely different beast, for general repair Mig welding is the easiest welding for a someone to learn.

Popular myth.

I think something important to consider for anyone taking a class/formal training is the option of certification. Not only do many schools offer free/discounted certs at the end of their program, but the fact that a school offers in-house certification testing also provides a sort of accreditation to the school itself. Ive seen a few cc's that offered welding, but the programs sucked bc the "teacher" wasnt really qualified or knowledgeable. Most are good programs, but terrible ones do exist, so student beware.

When I took the welding series as part of my BSME, the professor was both an AWS certified welder and a licensed professional engineer specializing in welding and metallurgy. He had all of the proper inspection certs as well, so not only could he administer the cert exams but also could sign off on grading them for others as well, which was reassuring for those moments when I "thought" I knew better than to trust his methods. It was also nice to because he insisted on a scientific method of evaluating welds using x-rays, dye penetrant testing, and other advanced methods over the usual beat it/break it method which doesnt really prove jack.

 

[LutzTD]

Tig welding is a completely different beast, for general repair Mig welding is the easiest welding for a someone to learn.

thats true but I figured if I got the hard one down the others would be that much easier. I can stick weld stuff together but I have a whole new appreciation of puddle control......

 

[ZRX61]

Ive seen a few cc's that offered welding, but the programs sucked bc the "teacher" wasnt really qualified or knowledgeable. Most are good programs, but terrible ones do exist, so student beware.

When I took the welding series as part of my BSME, the professor was both an AWS certified welder and a licensed professional engineer specializing in welding and metallurgy. He had all of the proper inspection certs as well, so not only could he administer the cert exams but also could sign off on grading them for others as well, which was reassuring for those moments when I "thought" I knew better than to trust his methods.

TIG instructor at my local CC is the guy NASA used for ALL the welding on that airborne 747 lazer weapon platform.

 

[Nelson58]

Suffolk (LI) Community College on the Brentwood, LI Campus has a bunch of Welding Courses- but they are an hour or more drive from my job. They also offer certification.

Wish I could get there.


Nelson