Learn to Weld

[bladerunner]

So there is a welding class being held nearby this summer.  I am an IT guy by trade, but I would love to learn to weld as a hobby and so I can do repairs on my own.  The class mainly focuses on stick welding, how to create multi-pass fillets with E6010 and E7018 electrodes and then focuses on the things to get you certified.  This is probably beyond my needs, but I enjoy a class environment and I don't know anyone who could teach me.

Class is a bit pricey though.  At $500, would I do better do buy equipment and just learn to MIG weld on my own?

[Custom Deluxe]

How much could you fix or repair or fabricate a project for $ 500 ?

[DustyRusty]

How many hours of class and how many hours of actual practice?  $500 may not be too much; you have to remember you are going to use a lot of rods, metal and electricity to complete the class.  It used to be that you had to have stick and oxy-acetelyne courses before taking mig or tig welding if you are thinking about that also.  The stick welding will teach you about metal and properties and welding technique as well as give you lots of practice.  You can use that skill to practice with if you buy a mig.  Do you plan on any other courses if you take this one?  All that said, if you are only wanting to be able to do sheet metal work you may be better off waiting and trying to find a mig or tig welding class that will more likely meet your needs.

[bladerunner]

Class is roughly 2 months long, every Tuesday and Wednesday night from 1730 to 2030. Here is the description:

(Welding I - Basic Structural)
For people who have had little or no welding experience, this class teaches students how to correctly and safely use cutting equipment, power tools and welding equipment used in shielded metal arc welding, commonly known as “stick welding”. Students then spend extensive time in the welding shop working hands-on to build and improve their welding skills. Students will learn how to create multi-pass fillets with E6010 and E7018 electrodes in all positions and on a variety of joint types. The certified welding instructor will describe the characteristics of and techniques used to create quality welds. Opportunities to learn oxyacetylene welding are available on request.

(Advanced Structural - Welding II)
This course is designed to teach Welding I students the skills necessary to earn the American Welding Society certification in structural arc welding (please note the exam is not given at UTC). To prepare students for certification test, the class offers 45 hours of hands-on training in the welding shop under the guidance of a certified instructor.

Technically it is two classes. The second class guarantees 45 hours of hands on training.  Again $500. What d'ya think?  Not sure if they will offer MIG classes in the fall or not.

[DustyRusty]

Well, if you are adventurous and have the time and money, I'd say go for it.  Everything you learn will put you way ahead if you plan to buy a mig welder or take mig classes later.  I probably wouldn't take the class that prepares you for certification.  I'd save that money for future mig or tig welding classes or equipment.  Just my $.02

[jaredts]

I don't know what welding you plan to do, but I for one don't think stick welding experience is necessary to mig weld.  I would love to take a class that has a little tig, stick, and mig, but wouldn't take one just on stick welding.

[454Man]

Take it it it only hard if the settings arent right for what your welding...

[VileZambonie]

I'm all for education but this sounds like a prep course for certifying welders and doesn't sound like it's geared for fabrication and practical welding skills. Stick welding isn't going to help your mig welding technique.

A basic welding course should include: Soldering, Oxy Acetylene, Brazing, MIG welding, stick arc & TIG, welding fundamentals, safety, fabrication & practicals. You may be better off purchasing one of these http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00234 and a welding how to video

[Stewart G Griffin]

First off, i think it is a good idea to take classes when learning to weld although you could probably learn on your own.  But i personally think it's a better idea to take classes.   They are worth it and i don't think $500 is that high anyways for 48 hours of welding.

The second thing is, and alot of people would disagree, is that i think it is a good idea to learn stick first even though your eventual goals might be to mostly be doing mig or tig.  Stick can teach you so much about puddle control, arc length, angles of travel etc. etc. lots of important stuff.

3) i'm not sure why they are limiting to just 6010 and 7018 rods?   Why not 6011 and 6013, which i think is a good beginner rod, as well?

[bladerunner]

So the second part of the class is designed to get you ready for this AWS cert, and I have no interest in getting certified. But correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't you have to know more than stick welding to get this certification?  Looks like I need to call the school and get more details on what is covered past the basic welding course.

While looking at this, I noticed a guy selling a 1 year old Miller 140 locally for $475. Might have to look into it.

[HAULIN IT]

As much as schooling has it's place, I think you would be way ahead as far as practical daily use in 2012 if you buy a $500-$600 mig & get some metal scraps & practice. Depending on your schedule, maybe find a weld/fab shop & explain to them you would like to learn, work for free for a couple months...I bet you learn WAY more than the school would teach you.
I have a stick welder with an inch of dust on it, haven't turned it on in over 20 years. I think the school needs to get up to speed. Lorne   

[Irish_Alley]

heres my cents on this. in high school we took an industrial maintenance class, this taught us how to mig stick and tig. along with other small mechanic skills, home building stuff, blue prints and some other stuff. to this day 10 years later i havnt touch a stick welder, kind of wish i did but there is no need. i can mig and tig. even working in a welding shop we barley used a stick welder it was 90% mig.. my buddy went to a o.k. tech school. where he learned and got certified "American Welding Society certification in structural arc welding" yeah it looks good on his resume and now owns his own welding business but he regrets the amount of money he paid for it. now he was a farm boy and his buddy up in ny taught him allot of stuff. he said the only thing different is the school gave him a piece of paper that he paid money for. the test did cover stick welding and they get you to butt weld a piece of pipe they then take that pipe and cut your weld out and then bend the piece to a certain degree and if your weld brakes you fail. and back to me, i can mig allot of things and do it right. but put a stick in my hands and its like trying to learn how to walk with three legs. tell you the truth if there's no certificate they give you its not going to help you with a job. i would save that 500 buy a welder or save more up for a real class that will teach you everything not just one type of welding

[bake74]

I don't know what welding you plan to do, but I for one don't think stick welding experience is necessary to mig weld.  I would love to take a class that has a little tig, stick, and mig, but wouldn't take one just on stick welding.

     I agree with jaredts, find a class that is better suited for your needs.

[bladerunner]

Sounds good guys. Maybe I will spring for a welder and just learn on my own, get some books, etc.  Never thought of looking at a shop for experience, but I figured a guy working for free/experience would be a legal liability.

[Irish_Alley]

but its free help. you will prob only mig or tig unless you plan on making a carrier out of it