Welding class

[rlplive]

Hey guys, the local Tech college has some night welding classes starting in january. I am really thinking about doing it. My car needs some metal for sure and I thought this would be a good skill to learn. This is what the first class offers

Unit I - Introduction to Metalworking,Oxy,Acetylene Welding & Cutting, and shop safety – 69 hours.

You guys think this is a good idea? It is 300 dollars but would be a good investment.

[MickMc]

Yes the welding class is a great idea.

I started taking the welding classes offered at my local Tech/Community college and they have been a great place to practice practice practice.

I knew how to weld before the classes but after the formal instruction and the three hours a night, four nights a week for what is now four semesters, my TIG skills are reasonable.
I started out with the oxy/acy then on to Arc, then to Mig, now I am just focused on TIG.

Welding is all about practice, and the class room is a great place to just practice without worring about the finished product, plus there is an instructor there to give you pointers and help you out with each new size, shape, thinkness or metal you might be working on.

Go for it, one more skill to add to your list of 'I can do that'.

PS if you can get the gas welding skill down then the TIG skill a little easier.


Mick

[JMarsa]

I agree with what Mick said. I've got at least 3 welding classes in a my local CC and it's been a great experience. Plus, as part of the class I had access to the metal shop. I'm glad I waited after the classes before I bought a welder.

--JMarsa

[rlplive]

This is an incredibly dumb question, but what kind of welding is used to do bodywork?

[MickMc]

This is an incredibly dumb question, but what kind of welding is used to do bodywork?

If you asked my grandfather the bodyman for life, braze everything.

Today, I've seen Hines with a torch lit for 12 hours, he never turnes it off. I've see mig welded patches, I've seen TIG welds for the same.

TIG seems easer to control for heat, but the Mig is on and off faster so the heat soak is much narrow-er, less panel warpage, but a TIG weld is eaiser to hammer flat, but a Mig weld....


Mick

[JMarsa]

I also recall that MIG wire is softer to grind than TIG filler.

--JMarsa

[mikey]

TIG or MIG is all I use for welding. The oxyacetylene is for heating stuff up and cutting when I don't feel like dragging out my plasma cutter. Metal is to thin these days to be gas welding.

[rlplive]

Thanks for the help guys, I will probably try the first class and if i like it I will keep going. It does not hurt that I will get GI bill money for going.

[1969CamaroRS]

I took a Oxy/Acetylene welding class at my local JC, in prep to mini-tub my own car. I ended up MiG welding it but after Oxy/Acetylene MiG is easy. On a bench I was pretty decent but welding from the trunk upside down is a different story. I definitely need more practice but I think what I did was passable. Definitely want to learn TiG.

Well worth it, you should do it.

[rlplive]

I took a Oxy/Acetylene welding class at my local JC, in prep to mini-tub my own car. I ended up MiG welding it but after Oxy/Acetylene MiG is easy. On a bench I was pretty decent but welding from the trunk upside down is a different story. I definitely need more practice but I think what I did was passable. Definitely want to learn TiG.

Well worth it, you should do it.

Reading your thread is actually what inspired me to do it. Your car is sweet man. Thanks
Ryan