Welding

WHITE420XJ

WHITE420XJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Denver, CO.
Hi all I have been very interested in learning where I could take some welding classes in Denver. I just want anyones opinions on the different welding schools that people have been to or heard about. Thank you all very much and have a great day.
PEACE
Alex
 
I took welding 101 at emily giffith in denver...I recomend skipping the class and buy a welder for the same $$ and just start welding. There are alot of people on here who would tell you how bad your welds are and how to fix them.

just my 2 cents.
 
Thanks for the advice Sting25. I have thought about emily griffith and though about just buying a welder and learning on my own. My problem is that my mother wants me to take a class. If you don't mind me asking how much did you spend at emily griffith for every thing included in the class?
Thanks Peace
Alex
 
OK the Emily Griffith place need up costing me around $400 for the 101 class. This included some cheep videos, and alot of hours of playing with a cutting torch (No welding) you get basic shop safety and learn how to use fire to cut 1 inch steel.

Each class after that was 3-400 as well. what happens is you watch a cheesy video (which you can rent) and then they stick you in a booth and tell you to weld for hours. you weld then once you think it looks right they check it and let you weld something else.

So 2 classes into it you could have bought a 220v welder and been welding stuff that is more interesting. Where are you located? Give me a few bucks for materials and come over to my place and play for an hour or so. You will have no thoughts about taking a class after that. I am in Arvada.

Now this said I am a CRAPPY welder I have to grind almost every weld that I do if I want it to look good. But I have a welder and am getting better quickly. I have save enough money in projects I didn't have to take somewhere to pay for the welder already in 2 months and now am in the process of making some furniture for the wife.

Here is a great site for renting How to videos. Some very interesting stuff to learn here
http://smartflix.com/


I second the welding tech session. I think it would be fun.
 
I think that would we a good idea both with rod and mig.
Learn with rod and mig just comes easy.
For the application of building stuff for a rig I think the classes are a bit overkill and not worth the money when you have a bunch of guys on the board here that can help out. THe one good thing about taking a class is you will get some good use of different types of welders. arc rod welding to mig and tig even sometimes. Then you know what to look for in a welder that's going to work best for you. Go to some welding shops and look in the used sections for arc rod welders learn on those first then step up to a mig/gas setup. I still do everything 100% rod I just like the heat penetration and I'm good at it. Kind of a lost art.
I'd have a tech day up north here, but it wouldn't be for a few weeks tell about mid sept.
Things to learn with arc or any welding is just use plate or sheet metal learn how to control your speed, gap, and movement of the welder as your going along. watch and learn how the weld is puddles up and how to draw it out. Learn uphill and down hill with that plate. Then move onto welding two pieces of metal together be it round or square or even two plates. I have a chunk of 4x4x1/4st with about 40 rods that I've practiced on it weighs allot more than it used to just run a stick then brush it off see how it looks then do it again I just keep turning it over to as I keep adding to it. It’s ugly looking but I always do a quick burn of a rod real quick before ever welding on stuff. Trying different kinds of rod and getting used to that is a good thing to do even though I pretty much stick to one kind.
Like anything practice is key. My first arc welding experience out side of high school some so many years go. I couldn’t get started with out it sticking or me pulling away from it. I was pretty good in high school then didn’t touch a welder for over 12 years and man that first few hours sucked. Now with as much as I’ve practiced and stuff it comes a lot easier to me.
 
I got the MIG 2 months ago and now I want to learn ARC as well much more versitile...And cheaper to buy!

I watched a guy arc weld on the trail using jumper cables and 3 batteries definitely a skill I want to have.
 
Sting25 said:
I got the MIG 2 months ago and now I want to learn ARC as well much more versitile...And cheaper to buy!

I watched a guy arc weld on the trail using jumper cables and 3 batteries definitely a skill I want to have.
Click to expand...

I’m looking at a mig with gas setup down the road for sure. I only owe on the jeep for a bit longer than that extra cash is going into a new setup. I love the arc welder for thick stuff but I hate tacking stuff with it. I can do it but it so much easier to just point and click. I’ll keep a old of it for the price I paid for it.
Well if no one else does one tell mid or after September then I’ll try and setup a weekend for a few people to swing by and learn to arc weld. I have one and might get another guy that has one if I can run a plug from the laundry room for it. Then we could have two setups going at the same time.
I just got weddings and bachelor parties up the wazoooooooo this summer.
 
I'd love to get in on a welding for wheelin class. I've got access to a Hobart 140 and I've welded a bit but question the structural strength of my welds. I just don't know any better by looking at them.

If it's in the Denver area I'd be in and I might be able to borrow the MIG to bring along.
 
Upon visual inspection of welds you want the metal to show a good heat trace,:firedevil around the weld and on the back side of the material being welded to. If you want to go further do a tear out test with some scrap pieces of whatever your welding. Weld them together,,,tear them apart.
 
I know alot of people here are going to say "skip the class," but for me I say take it. I took it at the local CC here with my roomate (Rock Rash), and it was well worth it. For the amount of materials you get to use and practice on, the ~$400 it cost me (but I can use the credits as well) were well worth it. We had to pass a V-Groove test with 3/8" flat steel ( two peices put together to look like \/, and had to be able to butt weld them, then make two passes on top of each other, then clean it all up, cut it into strips, and bend test them.) NOT easy. I managed to get my whole setup (new Hobart 180, homebuilt cart, mask, gas, etc.) for about 7-800 once it was all said and done. My instructor knew his sh*t, though he didn't really help us much, but would when we asked. I say go for the class, just getting in there twice a week for 2-3 hours got me enough welding time that I am very confident in my welding abilites now.
 
General Air stores have $50 classes on Saturdays and other days occasionally. They're a welding supply store with many locations.
 
Our shop has a break tester. When your done welding the two sections of metal togather you put them in the slots and get to jacking it. If it bends and makes a U shape with out breaking and any noticable cracks it passes. if you get cracks in the weld lines then you fail but this is a hard test to pass. We're and ASME code shop so all our guys have to pass a 6" and 2" 6G test.
.045 hard wire up root pass then .035 flux down for all fill.
 
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