[jvreed]

Hey all
Anyone know where you could take a welding class around the metro area?
Thanks
Jeff

[BobNovas]

There's one going on at Montgomery Community College in Rockville (Gudelsky institute) going on right now that meets Sat afternoons (1-5). You could just show up and introduce yourself to the instructor (CJ Carlson, used to race a Volvo at Summit). Web site at

http://mc.symplicitynetworks.com/CRS...headerid=16139

This is their advanced welding course. You have to start with a welding safety course, and then there's a beginning welding course and then this course. You won't be able to do anything, but you could see what they're up to.

When I went thru this program, the instructor (CJ) really only teachs stick welding with 6010 electrodes. He believes that if you can do that, you can learn to weld with anything.

[Trak Ratt]

Northern Virginia Community College too.

[edevinney]

Your local HS/VoTech probably offers a course, too. I took one years ago at night and know Loudoun offers such a course now (the instructor was one of my fellow soccer dads this season).

[Vicegrip]

I looked into NOVA as I took HVAC there and that paid back many fold but was not impressed with the syllabus overall. Check on line there are many schools for welding. What you plan to do with the skills play a part. To be a fully certified aircraft or nuclear welder you will need certain diplomas or certifications. If you just want to stick two parts together and not have them fall apart you might look at some self learning too.



I ended up just reading the instruction book that came with each of the welders when I bought them and then after getting some hands on checked out and read many books on the various subjects involved.

Prior hands on helps as it makes the topic relevant to you. I started simple with stick, gas and gas cutting and learned as the welding and systems used became more complex. MiG and soon onto TiG. There is a wealth of info out there and it is not too complex if you go at it a bit at a time. Welding is a craft and skill as much as it is a science and there are many aspects to advanced welding that you might need to understand other than the basics. Chemistry, electron theory, gas laws, thermodynamics and just general physics all play a part in being a good welder but you have to be able to do more than think it you have to be able to DO it with your hands too. If you have some background knowledge with the above and have a general grasp of the subject you might be surprised how well you can learn by doing and reading.

[BobNovas]

I agree with Kurt - if you can jump in and buy the equipment, then do it and you can learn on your own. On the other hand, if you have no experience, you're going to be wondering what the different kinds of welding are good for. That's what's good about taking a course - you can play with gas, stick, MIG and TIG welding, and do some plasma cutting and torch burning (gas cutting).

What do you want to weld? Maybe that's a better question.

[Andy Clements]

Jeff,

The simple fact is....anybody can weld....but there are LOTS of terribly bad welds done by ill trained DIY'ers. Someone that has been properly trained knows how to make and recognize a good, solid, and structurally sound weld. As mentioned, it depends on what you are welding, but if it is auto related there is a good chance making a "safe" weld plays a factor. As Kurt mentioned, it is indeed possible to learn through study and practice, but there is also a great deal to be said for having someone trained and experienced to evaluate your work. Don't underestimate the value of learning the basics under the guiding eye of a pro, and then you can spend countless hours on your own perfecting thru practice. With that said, I think the NVCC Manassas campus program is a good starting point.

Good Luck,
Andy Clements

[BobNovas]

Oh, you mean you want what you weld to actually stick together?

As Andy sez, that's a whole different matter. Welding yard art for fun and actually fixing something structural are two different things.