MIG Welding Course - San Diego

[Ferrino]

What are the beginner's MIG welding course options in the San Diego area, please? After years of threatening to pick up this skill, I am now looking to start, as I'd like to be able to eventually tackle a list of jobs on my 911 (mostly sheet metal - flares, patches etc.).

Ideally, I'd just like to learn the basics and then be able to practice at home, due to my work/family schedule. The only course I am aware of that is not a dedicated college course is this one at MakerPlace. It's a 3-hour evening course. Is there any other "amateur" welding course like this in the area?

Thanks!

[kodioneill]

Lot's of you tube video's on mig welding it's how I got my start.

[Bob Kontak]

I say take this course.

I am not answering your question but basic prep and the opportunity to get a few questions answered regarding gas and wire flow and type as well as amp settings cannot hurt. If you are buying a "real" machine rather than a tailpipe fixer - meaning 220A service - I gotta lean towards a more theory based series of classes.

I am not dissin' 110, that is what I am planning on buying for my light stuff. However, I would not weld something where anyone's safety could be compromised by my lack of knowledge.

What are you planning to buy 110/220? What machine as well. Subscribed. There are dudes here that know this stuff so more info will come in.

Edit: Here's a link from the paint and bodywork forum. A little bit to chew on. See drcoastlines reference to welding websites. You can probably get enough insight to start from these sites.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/786378-your-opinion-counts-please.html

[ClickClickBoom]

Take the course, do some reading, get a quality machine, Miller, Lincoln ect, and get a whol bunch of scrap metal, weld till you have run a whole bunch of wire through the machine. 30% science, 60% art/technique and a little magic.
Some of my structural steel welds:
TIG welder for years, first MIG project.

[pitsqrd]

Hi Ferrino,
I am a member at Maker Place and have taken their beginning and advanced welding courses, both TIG and MIG. Very good class, especially if Cyrus is teaching. I recommend it.

I have created several custom parts out of Aluminum using their TIG welders and many other steel and stainless using their MIGs, including the bullets and collectors for my exhaust.

If you have any questions, PM me and I will send you my contact info. If you want, I can make an introduction to the guys at Makers Place and show you around the shop.

Cheers,
Gerald

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by ClickClickBoom

TIG welder for years, first MIG project.

Nice bead.

TIG welding experience is cheating. The magic comes from experience.

Ferrino is looking for a bead like that on a skinnier scale.

I cant see the class doing anything but helping. Then the discomfort of the learning curve. It should be a fairly easy one with lighter duty stuff.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pitsqrd

Hi Ferrino,
I am a member at Maker Place and have taken their beginning and advanced welding courses, both TIG and MIG. Very good class, especially if Cyrus is teaching. I recommend it.

Sweet. Thanks for the offer helping Ferrino.

[Ferrino]

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't really want to discuss machines, as that has been done to death elsewhere, but since you asked, I'm going for 110v and would ideally like to get the Hobart Handler 140. My main concern is getting enough tuition to be able to interpret the quality of my welds when practicing. I think I am going to sign up for the 3-hour beginner's session and will try to find some sheet metal along, to mimic what I will be working with on the 911.

Gerald - thanks for the offer - will send you a PM.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by Ferrino

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't really want to discuss machines, as that has been done to death elsewhere, but since you asked, I'm going for 110v and would ideally like to get the Hobart Handler 140. My main concern is getting enough tuition to be able to interpret the quality of my welds when practicing. I think I am going to sign up for the 3-hour beginner's session and will try to find some sheet metal along, to mimic what I will be working with on the 911.

Gerald - thanks for the offer - will send you a PM.

Any decent quality machine will work, get plenty consumables, wire, nozzles and center wire guide things. Start welding and keep at it, when you have laid a mile of bead you will be competent, like it or not!
Have fun with it! It's a life skill that will stay with you forever, like riding a bike.
Then look up English Wheel, you will be doomed!

[Trackrash]

Welding sheet metal, like car bodies, is a specialized skill. Most welding classes teach structural welding, which should be understood if you own a welder.

Once you learn the basics of welding, you can try sheet metal. You need to use a special wire for welding car bodies. (sorry, can't recall what it is called) Most MIG wire is too hard for use on thin sheet metal or car bodies. Don't even think about using flux core wire on a car's body. (although it might work for replicating spot welds?)

I would recommend using a oxy-acetyline rig for seam welding flairs on a car body. (some will dispute me on this, I think.) TIG may be the best, I've seen guys weld aluminum cans using that type of welder.

Either way, tell the instructor at your class what you intend to do with your skill. Learn to use different types of welders before you purchase your own.

[xsurfer]

Plus 1 for Trackrash comments. I took welding at local Jr. to obtain the basics however no instruction for sheet metal. Most of the panels I'm replacing are 18 to 20 gauge. I bought a miller 140 that is perfect for this work. Gas welding helps in certain locations.

Good Luck

[kodioneill]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm5IZBJKv-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsDxqb2p5OM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJDv7Y6dUi0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGeXDJ2Okak

Start with these.

[Alan Lindquist]

Check all the community colleges. Palomar offers a welding courses. They also have a auto body and paining course. Tuition is cheap and you get access to good equipment and lots of instruction.

It's on my bucket list!

Here's what they offer:

WELD 100 – Welding l
WELD 105 – Metal Cutting, Brazing, Soldering
WELD 108 - Technical Mathematics
WELD 110 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding
WELD 115 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
WELD 116 – Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
WELD 117 – Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
WELD 120 – Gas Metal Arc and Flux Cored Arc Welding
WELD 130 – CAD/CAM Machining
WELD 135 – Print Reading for Welders
WELD 140 – Qualication of Welders
WELD 145 – Pipe Welding
WELD 150 – Welding Inspection
WELD 160 – Metal Layout for Fabrication
WELD 196 – Special Problems in Welding
WELD 197 – Welding Technology Topics

[atcjorg]

palomar used to offer a beginner mig/tig in the fall through the adult extension, got to use nice miller welders

[rusnak]

Yeah, check into adult night school courses. I took a welding class at a local high school that was 2 weeks long. That was a very long two weeks, but we learned a LOT OF INFORMATION. Especially regarding safety. We learned how to cut steel with oxy acetylene, gas weld, arc weld, and mig weld. I would highly recommend a course, and learn all of the basics before trying to glop weld without sufficient heat and learning through failure.

[Ferrino]

Just realized that I need to acquire a long-sleeve shirt made of "natural fibers" for the class and I have nothing of the sort. Anyone have a good suggestion for where to pick one up? Too late for Amazon - where are the best welding stores in San Diego. Is Airgas the "go-to" for welding supplies? Thanks.

[kodioneill]

Air gas has all you need, make sure you get a do rag (sp) for your head and a nice pair of leather gloves. If your vision is poor a strong set of magnifiers will benefit you greatly.

[The cap'n]

"Natural fibers" should be "wool".

The Cap'n

[Cory M]

Originally Posted by Ferrino

Just realized that I need to acquire a long-sleeve shirt made of "natural fibers" for the class and I have nothing of the sort. Anyone have a good suggestion for where to pick one up? Too late for Amazon - where are the best welding stores in San Diego. Is Airgas the "go-to" for welding supplies? Thanks.

Can't you just wear a cotton long sleeve shirt?

[tharbert]

Yes, a thick cotton sweatshirt will do but beware, it will fade because of the arcing. There is a specially treated long sleeve green cotton jacket with a pocket on the inside. You'' probably see a rack of then at Airgas. It's perfect for even for the heavy welders and usually cheap. Unless you plan to do it for a living, you don't need leathers.

Be sure to wear old jeans and high top leather boots. DO NOT WEAR TENNIS SHOES! A piece of slag will invariably land inside your shoe. By the time you get your shoe off, it's inside your sock and branding the holy snot out of your ankle. AMHIK.