Learning how to weld?

[69TAPoser]

I have always wanted to learn how to weld and I am making this my New Years's resolution.

Beyond finding a friend to burden, would the best way be a vocational school? There is one near me that offers a course. It seems a bit extensive (60 hours broken up into 2 classes per week, 3 hours each, so 10 weeks total).

Here is the overview:

This course provides an introduction into welding through instruction in joint design, beading, overlapping and padding. Instruction is given in MIG, TIG and ARC welding as well as flame cutting. Helmet and Safety Glasses are required. *Includes Supply Fee.

The cost os $420.

What do you guys think? A good way to go or overkill?

Phil

[Steve68]

2 1/2 months, go for it, just think of all the equipment you get to abuse!

[CRCRFT78]

I say thats a good price. Consumables & metal to practice with would cost you more than that real quick. Burn as much as you can at the school. It'll be well worth it. I went to a local community college for some classes and am satisfied with the outcome.

[mpozzi]

I took a basic welding class at my local community college last summer. Two nights a week for six weeks (about ten hours a week) and the cost was about $50 not including the textbook.

Learned a lot and started out with stick and then MIG. Learned to cut with a torch too. I'm taking two more welding classes this spring, TIG and arc welding, and a fabrication class.

Your best bet is through a community college for the price.

Get a good helmet and plan to spend about $200 or more for one. Don't bother with the Harbor Freight helmets as serious welders wouldn't touch those. You don't want to mess with your vision.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[JMarsa]

I agree with Mary, that's what I did too. But my classes were 16 weeks and closer to $400 with all the fees/costs.

--JMarsa

[toxicz28]

It's never too late to learn.

[mpozzi]

The local juco's here charge per unit ($11) so it was $33 plus the administration fee of $10 if I remember correctly. No lab fee was charged and that was a very good thing as we used a lot of materials, electricity, and metal in that class.

The book was $60 or so but it can be used for every welding class the juco offers so it's a one-time expense.

Had a lot of fun, too.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[bigvegan]

Overkill? How would it be possible to learn TOO MUCH about welding at a community college?

It's not like you're going to wish you didn't have those skills later on.

[69TAPoser]

Thanks for the feedback. I will look into local community colleges as well.

Overkill? How would it be possible to learn TOO MUCH about welding at a community college?

It's not like you're going to wish you didn't have those skills later on.

Well, I am not looking to become a welder by trade, that is what I meant.

Phil

[bigvegan]

Got it. Sorry for the sarcasm.

Still though, it's pretty sweet to get certified in random stuff. You never know where it will come in handy.

[CRead01]

I am in a tool and die apprenticeship and I had my first day of welding class today. It is alot more extensive than I thought. It is an advanced mig and tig class so it should be helpful at home as well as work. My class is at the local community college and we have to buy everything. plus the class fees and books are about 750.00 so 420.00 doesn't sound bad at all.

[Matt@RFR]

...Well, I am not looking to become a welder by trade, that is what I meant.

Phil

That is rediculous. If you're going to weld anything, you best treat it like you're a professional. The last thing we need is someone thinking that if a weld looks good, then it must be strong and welding structural parts on a car, having them break and killing other people. Yeah, that's a little on the alarmist side, but I'm tired of guys thinking that welding is actually as easy as the Lincoln/Miller/Whomever adds leads you to believe.

Also, be very, very carefull who you take advice from...online, from friends or even from a school. I have NEVER met a welding instructor who was any good.

One of the biggest keys to welding is theory. If you understand how the machine works and how the metal reacts to different things, you will have a huge advantage even over most "professional" welders I've worked with. Buy a couple books, then compare them to each other to see how they contradict each other...that's allways good for a laugh. If you can, talk to a few experienced guys in the industy. I'm not talking about walking into just any shop. I'm talking about higher end stuff where there are vast, and direct consequences to having a weld fail. Aerospace, medical, military/defense, etc.

In my opinion, if you're not willing to do it correctly, just pay somebody to do it for you.

EDIT: Mary, no offense intended here, but your hood recommendation is a tad short sided. (By the way, you wear a 'helmet' in a race car, not while welding ) Everyone's eyes are different. I have owned auto-dark hoods from the very cheapest to the most expensive and in between, and what you'll find in my shop is four very abused $20 Huntsmans. And they don't have just any lenses in them either. Through much trial and error, I've found that I see best with black lenses which can be tough to find, and very expensive relatively speaking. But it's what I see best with, so it's what I use. Every day.

And while I'm here I might as well bitch about "certified welders". Just being certified means nothing in the real world other than the fact that you are allowed and trusted to weld on whatever you're certified for. That's it. Welding a test plate (or tube) while sitting in a chair is a whole lot different than welding the same stuff while inside a baffled 100 gallon tank, under a car or bent over backwards and upside down with one foot behind your head and a parrot on your shoulder while welding a tube chassis.

[justasquid]

Never met an instructor that was any good? dang. The instructor I had was pretty good. But then again, he did have his own welding company and did this gig on the side to help out. So that may be the difference. I also had Metallurgy under my belt before I took the welding classes and it seamed to help. You really should have a good understanding of what is happening to the metal as you weld it. Also, the different types of metal.... the whole nine yards..

If your only going to be fixing some backyard equipment, farm stuff... I wouldnt worry too much about.. But, Matt is right, if your going to be welding on a car, you should know what you are doing.

Although, a vocational class should send you in the right direction. Just make sure you take all you can from the classes. And no matter how much studying you do, it will not make up for actually welding.

Not trying to deter ya, I think its great you want to pick up a skill. Just dont do it half way, do it like it was going to be your new job..

[Exhausted]

I'll back Matt up on his statement. I have welding experience of 18 years, no technical class or instruction, other then my dad saying, what bird **** on that. Go to your local exhaust shop and learn how to patch rusted pipes(above your head, and listening to the sound of the welder) good luck.

[Exhausted]

Just as a nondeturrent to anyone who might want to learn how to weld, today I was welding in my subframe connectors, using a 110 Miller mig, I forgot to turn the CO2 on, lol, whoops my bad

[Damn True]

That is rediculous. If you're going to weld anything, you best treat it like you're a professional.

Glad to see you back.

[kamaroman68]

unfortunately I don't think he is going to stay around here to long. Chris

[protour_chevelle]

That is rediculous. If you're going to weld anything, you best treat it like you're a professional. The last thing we need is someone thinking that if a weld looks good, then it must be strong and welding structural parts on a car, having them break and killing other people. Yeah, that's a little on the alarmist side, but I'm tired of guys thinking that welding is actually as easy as the Lincoln/Miller/Whomever adds leads you to believe.

Also, be very, very carefull who you take advice from...online, from friends or even from a school. I have NEVER met a welding instructor who was any good.

One of the biggest keys to welding is theory. If you understand how the machine works and how the metal reacts to different things, you will have a huge advantage even over most "professional" welders I've worked with. Buy a couple books, then compare them to each other to see how they contradict each other...that's allways good for a laugh. If you can, talk to a few experienced guys in the industy. I'm not talking about walking into just any shop. I'm talking about higher end stuff where there are vast, and direct consequences to having a weld fail. Aerospace, medical, military/defense, etc.

In my opinion, if you're not willing to do it correctly, just pay somebody to do it for you.

EDIT: Mary, no offense intended here, but your hood recommendation is a tad short sided. (By the way, you wear a 'helmet' in a race car, not while welding ) Everyone's eyes are different. I have owned auto-dark hoods from the very cheapest to the most expensive and in between, and what you'll find in my shop is four very abused $20 Huntsmans. And they don't have just any lenses in them either. Through much trial and error, I've found that I see best with black lenses which can be tough to find, and very expensive relatively speaking. But it's what I see best with, so it's what I use. Every day.

And while I'm here I might as well bitch about "certified welders". Just being certified means nothing in the real world other than the fact that you are allowed and trusted to weld on whatever you're certified for. That's it. Welding a test plate (or tube) while sitting in a chair is a whole lot different than welding the same stuff while inside a baffled 100 gallon tank, under a car or bent over backwards and upside down with one foot behind your head and a parrot on your shoulder while welding a tube chassis.

Well said Matt.

I am a 2nd year welder(school in march to become a 3rd year). I have passed 1g, 2g, 3g, 4g, and 5g. I have passed my mig up hand open root, stick open root flat, stick open root up hand, and all of my over heads to certify me with anything thicker then 1". From mig, to flux core(t-91), to stick (6010 and 7018) All welds were x-rayed. I passed all of these on my first attempt as a 1st year at 18years old! Yes thats in a half decent enviroment but... I have yet to have a weld fail, the companies I work for notice and the 19 year old gets the job. Welding is a passion of mine. I love it, and take pride in my work. Even hobbiest welders have to have the same. My welds get shot(x rayed) in the field and pass. Thats when you can give yourself a pat on the back.

We had journeymen welders from the shop and guys running their own trucks that failed some tests. A ticket means you passed your welds in a perfect enviroment. Real world is the true test.

Sorry for being long winded but it upsets me aswell about people thinking welding is easy. We have had mechanics weld torque plates for our top drive dyno stand where when it torqued up to 2,000ft lbs the welds gave out due to all improper welding details. The top drive was on its way to torque to 34,000ft lbs!

-Matt