Random Question - Welding Classes in or near New York City?

Jgordon · 02-21-2019, 07:44 AM

I've always wanted to learn how to weld. Only problem is, I don't have a garage at the moment, so there's nowhere to just learn on my own. No place to store a welding machine or scrap, and time is limited - Running two businesses, and have a wife and kid.

I've looked into Apex Tech, but any thoughts on other avenues? It's a skill I'd like to have.

Thanks.

Jgordon · 02-21-2019, 07:47 AM

Well, forget that. Apex is 7 months, Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 2 PM.

Any "hobby welding" avenues around that anyone knows of?

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

try local community colleges?

OldSpool87 · 02-21-2019, 08:59 AM

https://registration.xenegrade.com/swboces/searchResults.cfm?catID=12

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ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

Not to discourage, welding is not a 6 hour course. I have said repeatedly welding is 30% science, 65% art, and 5% luck. Metallurgy, chemistry, even physics are foundational elements of the craft.
When you have laid your first mile of weld bead, you can consider yourself experienced. So in other words practice makes perfect. I have been welding for 40 years and still get stymied. When prepping to weld a project, I will still warm up on some scrap, to get my chops back in tune.
Here is a couple youtube vids for inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks

https://youtu.be/KzdHIBCDrNI

Jgordon · 02-21-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClickClickBoom

Not to discourage, welding is not a 6 hour course. I have said repeatedly welding is 30% science, 65% art, and 5% luck. Metallurgy, chemistry, even physics are foundational elements of the craft.
When you have laid your first mile of weld bead, you can consider yourself experienced. So in other words practice makes perfect. I have been welding for 40 years and still get stymied. When prepping to weld a project, I will still warm up on some scrap, to get my chops back in tune.
Here is a couple youtube vids for inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks

https://youtu.be/KzdHIBCDrNI

Agreed. I'm under no illusion that this can be mastered in hours, weeks, months, or even years. But I have to start somewhere. If I had a garage, I'd just buy a used kit and get some scrap, and get to it. But I don't. So I figure I'm ok paying someone for use of their equipment and some instruction. That would be my starting point. Eventually I hope to get my own equipment, and that's where I can start fine tuning and laying that mile.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Bill Douglas · 02-21-2019, 10:53 AM

I did a night class. Every Tuesday, three hours for eight weeks. I got pretty good. Not everything you do has to be absolutely perfect.

I've had fun making steel component furniture. Fabricating bits for vehicles, angle brackets for houses.

When I'm doing a job I do practice weld on the same stuff, then do the real job.

It's an immensely satisfying hobby.

gtc · gtc's Garage

That BOCES program looks like a little more than you need.
What you probably want to do is MIG, and with the BOCES program you would need to take 60 hrs of Arc welding classes first.

This is probably the sort of thing i would look at:
https://coursehorse.com/nyc/classes/art/metal-working/welding
Registration for Welding and Metal Sculpting Classes NYC — Custom Metal Work and Welding Classes in New York City | Michael Daniel Metal Design

Dan J · 02-21-2019, 11:14 AM

My Grandson took course's at the local community college for both tig and mig
evening classes twice a week for 3 months for each Great instructor taught him the right way
instead of learning from the old man

This is his test weld for alum tig

2.7RS · 02-21-2019, 11:16 AM

Nothing to add.

What a great freaking idea!

TimT · 01:27 PM

Suffolk County CC has a continuing ed class that will get you AWS certified, this is more aligned with heavy structural welding.. i.e. AWS D1.1. You'll primarily learn stick welding SMAW, but looks like they touch on what we need in our skill set MIG and TIG (GMAW, GTAW)

SCCC Corporate Training Center Department Advanced Manufacturing Course Listing

Also there was a place I heard of where you could learn fabrication, machining, welding 3D printing Makerspace? etc. I recall they were going to open a location in central Brooklyn, but I am drawing a blank on the name....

Something like these places, but they have locations all over the country..

https://nextfab.com/

https://artisansasylum.com/classes/

https://www.she-weld.com/

Metal Shop Fantasy Camp