2 welding classes under my belt...I LIKE IT!
 

If anyone is considering a welding class i strongly recommend doing it. I have been to two classes so far and am having a blast!

To date we have just been running beads with stick welders using 6013 and some 6010. It's really neat to see the difference just between those two rods. Just for kicks last night i tried joining two pieces at a right angle. Tougher than it looks and apparently we will be covering that tomorrow night.

This class is really taking a lot of the mystery out of welding for me such that i already am planning to do some small items on my car myself vs. paying somebody else.

One less thing on my list of 'need to try/learn that' items!

I worked as a shipfitter in a shipyard in Warren, RI for a while (most notably on the "Spirit of Chicago", a T-class dinner boat with sister ships in New York, Tampa and elsewhere). Most of what I did was fabricate, form and "booger weld" stuff into place for the real welders.

Those guys were artistes! It takes a lot of practice to get to their level, and though I don't claim ever to have reached that degree of expertise, a few weeks' practice made a lot of improvement in my skill.

JP

i have quickly learned to appreciate the skill and artistic talent involved in welding. even a simple bead on flat stock requires a certain 'touch'.

"boogerweld"... LOL

That's all I know how to do. I wish I could take a welding night class, sounds like a good time.

6013 hey?? wait til you try 7024 .What class did you sign up for?? SMAW . how many credits etc.. just curious as I teach at a local college

Class was advertised as stick welding. I have no idea how many credits but i'm fairly confident it doesn't count as continuing ed for the state accountancy board;)

The really cool thing about this class is we will be doing everything from stick to mig to tig and also get to play with oxy-acet. & plasma torches. i am most interested in Mig since it is what will apply to rust repairs on sheet metal. Tig sounds neat as well though. I have an aluminum project i'd like to work on once we get to Tig. I won't have access to a Tig rig after class ends unfortunately but there may be a possibility of co-renting one with a buddy once in a while.

I highly recommend the TIG practice. Once you get the hang of it, you can weld almost anything (Al, Mag, copper, Ti, etc.). Plus it's just fun.