Where did you learn to weld?

[JMartel]

While I was getting my engineering degree I managed to squeeze into the Machining and Welding courses offered for design team students only. I was on a team, but we never used either of it.

 

[zmotorsports]

100% self taught. Born and raised on a farm and when **** broke it needed to be fixed and back out in the field making money. My dad was a decent weldor but they didn't look the prettiest. I wanted my welds not only strong but austetically pleasing as well.

I don't recommend the self-taught method as it takes a lot of time to make all of the mistakes and then learn to do it correctly. I recommend taking some night classes at a local community college or something equivelant so you can learn the correct way once and move on. Welding is about 5% theory and 95% practice so learn the theory and then move on to the time consuming part of practice, practice and more practice.

I wanted to see how I stacked up against a standard so I went about three years ago and got my AWS d1.1 weld certifications in SMAW, GMAW and GTAW in steel, stainless steel and aluminum. I don't think you need to be certified but a welding course learning the basics would definately be beneficial.

Mike.

 

[1Garageman]

I miss welding, haven't done it since college.
Do a search on google maps where you live and there are tons of places to get classes from. Have you checked all of them out yet for prices?
Here are a FEW
GOOD LUCK!


Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN
(651) 846-1600 ‎ · saintpaul.edu
Category: Computer Training School


Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 659-6000 ‎ · minneapolis.edu

judysbook.com
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(612) 374-5800 ‎ · dunwoody.edu

1845 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 341-3358 ‎ · aioic.org
Category: Public School
opportunities industrialization center · small business operations · medical office assistant · nursing assistant · hennepin county

Midwest Career Institute
1609 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 588-9410 ‎ · midwestcareers.org
Category: Trade School

 

[dirttracker18]

Trial, error and research for me. I just went out and bought a welder when I got into racing. I was way too much trouble to bring the car to someone for minor work so I bought a MIG. I started doing minor stuff and doing some online learning when It did not go right.

I will not profess to be an expert and am always learning (especially when I can get a real welder over) but I confidently weld my own cages now and fab up anything I need for the car. I doesn't always go right the first time but with a little work and time I get there

Next project, build a new tilting car hauler myself.

 

[dittle fart around]

Borrowed a welder and had a recent Wyotech grad help me get started. I was welding sheet metal and blowing right on through, then bought my own mig welder with argon. Still don't weld sheet metal that well but I've built a couple of trailers, benches and some bleachers.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Learning on my own. Got a long way to go but I'm going. Its a hobby and I'm smart enough to know what projects should go to pros.

 

[Zeke]

Man, if you ever get a chance to use a Lincoln "pipe liner" you get a chance to weld like you were having brunch at the Ritz Carlton. I guess there's just nothing like DC current from a DC generator.

 

[Steevo]

Gas, stick and then MIG, over a period of twenty-plus years, I learned them all on-the-job and by experience/failure.
I wish I had been able to take courses in welding, but at the time, it wasn't possible.
I have un-learned as much as I have learned.
I think I'll take a TIG class before I tackle that.

 

[Zeke]

Taking courses in welding exposes you to theory. We have 2 local community colleges that have nice welding shops and classes. One will keep you in class most of the time and the other in the shop most of the time. It's nice to book learn, but it's necessary to get some seat time and be able to take a hot piece over to the instructor for advice. Often times a problem can be corrected in 30 minutes.

Or 3.

 

[6768rogues]

I learned from a retired guy who was a welder at Eastman Kodak Company. He welded and helped create welding instructional videos. He gave me a couple of lessons and passed along his training tapes before he passed away a few years ago.

 

[Photo]

Started in HS in the mid '70's.

After a 3 Year apprenticeship, I've had my Journeyman Ticket since 1981.

Left the trade about 1988 for computers and have been doing that ever since.

I play at MIG and TIG in the garage (did some aluminum TIG last week, first time in about 28 years!).

Lane

 

[Garage5.9]

i learned how to stick two pieces of metal together on the farm . i was taught how to weld at night courses at a local college . when i worked for the power company you had to be certified by the state to weld on live gas lines bob w.

gas as in natural gas ? holy ****

 

[boohocky]

Started welding when I was young, then I had 2 old timers in my life that taught me everything I know now.

In complete honesty though, I wish I would've taken some classes.

 

[ladderwell]

Naval Aviation Depot, Jacksonville Florida. I was a 21 y/o whippersnapper brand new to the Navy. I became a "bead runner" as our instructor Jim Britts called us. He said it was up to your and your supervisor to make you a welder. 3 years stationed in Sicily and every metal (SS, nickel, cobalt, carbon steel, aluminum, magnesium, hastelloy, titatanium) they brought us later, I considered myself a welder.

 

[Farmallgray]

6011 and 6013 are best for AC welding. The OP states he has a Lincoln AC only welder.
6013 is for less penetration and smoother welds. Good stuff in the smaller diameters on light weight material.

I like 6011 for learning. In fact, at school, 6010 on DCEP was the most difficult. Hence, the best training. Anyone can drag a 7018 rod on DCEP. I don't know what the equivalent of 7018 would be for AC welding, but it sure would be fun.

I use 7018 with my Lincoln 225 AC stick welder. I learned on DC and had a tough time for a while when I started with AC. The 7018 are kind of hard to get started and like to stick easily. But I generally use them when I need a stronger joint (which is most of the time). I also use some 6011 and 6013.

 

[Zeke]

Found this:
6010
This rod or electrode provides deep penetration of the metal, while at the same time providing minimum spatter, or debris. This electrode is used mostly in heavy applications such as structural steel or farm equipment. The welder must be set on DC (direct current) to weld with this rod.

6011
The 6011 rod works well on dirty, rusty, or painted surfaces and is a favorite of pipe welders in the field. It is also a heavy-duty electrode and can be used in the same fashion as 6010 rod. Like 6010, it has deep penetrating qualities and low spatter but can run on either AC (alternating current) or DC machines.

6013LV
This particular electrode provides much less penetration and works great on light materials such as sheet metal. It can also be welded using either AC or DC settings and is very compatible with low-power hobby welders. Not intended for structural or heavy steel.

7014
The 7014 electrode is powder-coated to provide a flatter weld, which can be useful on ill-fitting joints or other jobs that cannot be ground down afterward. The 7014 can provide faster welding speeds and is very easy to strike an arc on. This rod is an AC or DC application.

7018
This electrode is the most commonly used rod by welders today. It produces a high quality weld in mild steel applications and works very well out in the field. This type of rod cannot be welded with when wet and must be kept in a rod oven to reduce moisture when not being used. This DC welding rod is the choice of many beginners as well.

7018AC
This rod has all the same weld qualities that can be found in the 7018 rod but is intended for AC welders. It is easy to use and starts with a nice arc. This rod can be welded in all positions as well.



Read more: Types of Different Welding Rods | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5652373_types-different-welding-rods.html#ixzz1ZqMU6zmJ

 

[BFHgarage]

I am half way through an 8 week saturday morning (4 hrs each saturday) welding class at our local community college (heartland). Best $340 I have ever spent. We have done oxy/acetylene, stick and mig welding. This week we start cutting with oxy/ace and the plasma cutter.

I'd rather learn good habits from the start instead of trying to learn on my own and probably pick up bad habits that are hard to break. Not to mention that there is some danger involved with some of this stuff, proper safety practices are best learned from a pro.

 

[BradTx]

Strangely, in an industrial area like here in Houston, there aren't any classes in welding unless you're looking for a cert. I just wanted to learn to patch the rust holes in the Alfa.

I ended up taking a week-long class on sheet metal restoration this past summer at McPherson College in Kansas. I learned the basics of gas, MIG and TIG welding, among other panel beating skills. Basically, I learned how to warp metal with the gas and blow holes with the MIG. But man the TIG is niiiice! Too bad I can't afford one. Looks like it'll be a MIG in the near future and lots of practice.

 

[petee_c]

I've been looking at the local community college courses for MIG welding, and they are more time than I am willing to commit right now. 12 weeks x 5 hrs on Monday nights. (6pm -11pm).

I'd be happy with an introductory course maybe 2 Saturday's or something, just need to find it.

P

 

[6brzina]

Learned stick and MIG in high school Ag class. We made some trailers, hay spikes, and fence panels. At my current job they had us take a welding class where I learned TIG and brazing. Lots of stainless and aluminum on the buses.

 

[TAftw]

I've dicked around with welding in some of the shops I worked/hung out in. I am currently in a machine shop class at school.

Grab a 6011 or 7016 rod and start going at it. Have your friend teach you the right angles and amp settings. Classes won't make you a welder, practice will. I don't consider myself good by any means, but I haven't had a lot of practice either.