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Post by DrumBum on Feb 15, 2005 2:28:29 GMT -5
so i've been thinking about taking some welding classes at one of the community colleges around here, and was wondering if it's worth it or not. i've never tried welding before, is it something that i could pick up pretty quick and be decent at it without spending the time and money for classes? or should i just learn the right way and take the classes? any thoughts?
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Post by rockcrawlintoy on Feb 15, 2005 2:53:10 GMT -5
its like anything practice practice practice. goin thru a college is prolly the cheapest way to learning the classes however are usually pretty long.
Drew
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Post by Sean on Feb 15, 2005 16:39:23 GMT -5
Welding classes are definately a good idea. Force you to do all the boring crap like laying bead after bead for hours that make you into a decent welder. Plus you have a pro there correcting you as you go so you dont spend countless hours making the same mistakes.
Having worked with many welders, both schooled and self taught, in my experience the best welders have schooling.
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Post by DrumBum on Feb 15, 2005 19:29:26 GMT -5
that's what i was thinking. it would at least give me a good start, if nothing else... i'll probably end up doing it then... thanks guys!
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Post by masterwacker on Feb 22, 2005 0:50:30 GMT -5
How much are the classes for welding that you are looking at? Just curious, since I am thinking about looking into that.
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Post by rockcrawlintoy on Feb 22, 2005 0:56:11 GMT -5
in cali it is like 26 bucks a unit a welding class is like 4-5 units. u prolly need to get a hood and gloves and safety glasses tho
Drew
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Post by DrumBum on Feb 22, 2005 1:46:44 GMT -5
the classes i'm looking at are 9 weeks/60 hours/4 credits fo $232. supposed to prepare you for job entry in a welding position i guess
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Post by masterwacker on Feb 22, 2005 7:46:25 GMT -5
That's not bad at all. At least compared to other the cost of classes that you would take to get a 4 yr degree. I think that I am goign to have to look into that to further advance my welding.
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Post by 94cnytoy on Mar 6, 2005 14:08:23 GMT -5
my friend and I signed up for welding classes 6 yrs ago. I had to pass on it due to work my work schedule.
cost him $200 per session.(3 total)
he went on to be a welder for a local fab shop.
6yrs later he now makes $50,000yr and loves it.
hell of an investment.plus, he knows how to do what I think I know how to....
and he does it better too....
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Post by S373N_Dzl5 on Mar 11, 2005 16:19:34 GMT -5
For MIG welding it may not be necessary. Wire feed MIG welders are extremely easy to use and as long as you have some scrap steel to practice on you should pick it up fairly quickly. Light MIG welding on something like body panels is extremely easy as you simply "connect the dots" with small spots of weld so you aren't applying too much heat and warping the material. Laying beads around boxed-tubing or C-channel may be more difficult as you need to ensure good penetration. Minimum weld penetration (todays automotive spec) is around 5% of the materials thickness for most anything but sheet steel under around 0.075". An easy way to check what type of penetration you're getting, weld two pieces of scrap material together that are similar to what you will be using. After you weld them, cut 90% right across the weld and sand/polish the cut/open face of the weld to a shine. Under the right lighting you will see the "darker" almost shadow like contour of the weld and can determine how deep it penetrated both peices of material. Typically you use an "acid test" on the polished open face, but under the right light you'll see it. As for TIG welding, well that's a different story. Strong, but not easy to do well. Any stressed component that I need welded, gets TIG welded in stainless. School is a must for this type of welding. I'm not a professional, just telling you some of what I know. And remember, angle grinders and die grinders are your friends when welding something.  Cheers, hope it helps. Kyle  |
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Post by 94cnytoy on Mar 11, 2005 17:27:55 GMT -5
well, yes, but.... Most of the time you need to weld something(at least myself)it's a structural member. Anything that involves the safety of myself and others I reguard with the utmust importance. While flux-mig welders are great for lil things like body stuff(actually not, the flux causes issues for finishing) I'd never use it for anything 1/8'' or thicker reguardless of the thickness "spec" of the welder. opt for the gas set-up and skip the flux core wire all together.I've gotta stop here cause I'm going to get in over my head.
cool.
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Post by S373N_Dzl5 on Mar 11, 2005 20:58:18 GMT -5
Sorry, when I said to make a cut for weld penetration in my post I meant 90degrees, not 90%. As I said, I'm not a professional welder, I merely set-up robots to do the welding.
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Post by S373N_Dzl5 on Mar 11, 2005 21:08:26 GMT -5
As 94cnytoy said, gas is best. 0.035" wire and Argoshield5 gas is good for thin material, 0.045" with Argoshield5, ArgoLite or Cryogenic Inert Asphyxiant for thicker stuff. Hardened steel (TIG only) may need to be heated to 800-1400degrees celsius prior to TIG welding then put back in the oven for a controlled down.
By saying stressed member I mean any structural component over a certain material thickness.
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