I would have to say start with the basic course.

Learning Oxy-acetylene welding makes learning GTAW so easy at least for me.

Being raised with a striker on my belt till this day I reach for the fuel gas torch for steel Even though the plasma is just as close

When I went to school Plasma cutting was only in the high end manufacturing plants and not within budget of the area votech as they were called back then.

I think the people who don`t master SMAW lack alot of skills that make the other processes so much easier.

These skills become muscle memory that at least with me become so ingrained I don`t think about doing them.

I was lucky I had some great teachers . Those kind pick up on the fact you want to be there rather then you are sent by the company .

 

for these basic jobs a Mig and TIG class would be good, if you get good at tig you can have flawless welds that are very strong, however the Mig process is much quicker and easier to learn.

 

I haven't tried overhead on 6012, I found it easier to use on flat though than the 7018, doesn't stick as much.

But I found overhead with 7018 not too difficult. I've only done a couple of passes though. Still think vertical was the hardest to master. My instructor told me to think of overhead exactly like doing flat, only upside down of course.

It's definitely my favorite class, and I'm the farthest in it But it's a little hard to learn in sometimes, alot of immature kids in there. I've had my amps turned up to 300, been poked with rods, and had things thrown at me while welding Have to learn patience haha.


It really helps when you have a good instructor that you can watch. I couldn't imagine learning on my own.

 

Holy Toledo, first thing our instructor said, No Grab Ass, or your out. Its a night class so its small and manageable.

 

yeap, same here. We got 6 guys in my class so everyone gets help. Lol the instructor is kept busy with them

 

Thanks again guys for the replies

 

Get yourself a auto darkening helmet.. makes a world of difference for beginners.

 

In any of the welding or cutting processes The 2 most important things are being able to see and being comfortable!!!!

If you are not comfortable your not going to be able to make the best welds you can.

I know myself sometimes being rushed for time like last weekend welding on some shock mounts after a U joint flip kit install .

I know my welds are not up to what they could have been had I taken the time to get said vehicle high enough to sit in a comfortable position.We all sometimes have to break the self imposed rules

For what it`s worth here in this part of the USA the only way you can get into a GTAW or GMAW class is to prove to the teacher that you are ready to move on by passing what ever test he throws your way in SMAW

This could be a informal vertical up 6010 root with a 7018 fill and cover in 3/8" plate or it could be the section 9 ASME test. Depending on the teacher and what he feels like.

 

Been to school for welding and welded tig in the boilermakers union. IMHO... arc welding is the most useful welding there is ... In a boiler shop you are not allowed to use a mig welder.We did not even have one because the welds will not pass Xray or UT inspections. In the case of arc welding if you watch a skilled welder, his rod control how he controls heat with the arc etc . and you understand how the process works, all you need is practice and lots of it .... I tig welded boiler tubes which is a very tedius job (1/2"to 1" dia) and everything I learned was from watching senior welders around me. Classes are great but more times that not all your paying for is the use of the machine. Buy a machine ... find someone who is a good welder have him come over a couple times watch his techniqes and PRACTICE ..... Just my 2 cents

 

If its done correctly it will...

 

i guess it really depends on the instructor and the resources available in the shop. if just taking one class, i would say GMAW because of the application. for a non career welder, it would be the most useful. maybe if you were to take 2 classes, i would add Oxy-Fuel Systems. Learning to cut and weld with Oxy-Fuel gives you a basic knowledge and somewhat of an intro to GTAW because of the total control and focus of puddle manipulation. Also, its a good introduction to the theory involved. My list would go as so.
Oxy-Fuel Systems, SMAW, GMAW,GTAW, etc.
The Harbor Freight hoods are good for using a couple of times, but the sensors arent worth the trouble. spend some more money and get a hood worth at least $150. with the hoods, you are paying about 95% for the sensors, so you REALLY get what you pay for.
Good luck!

 

Well I am enjoying weld class and will begin the second class next month. The teacher is good in that he let me mess around with a mini mig, and I made this gas can holder.

 

Nice can holder. Looks like something you paid good money for!

 

That looks awesome Teuf! Now your making me wanna fab one of those up haha.

 

Teuf,

That looks fantastic! Depending how christmas goes, I'm going to take a class in january or february through "tech shop" here in the bay area, then start massing around on my own. I'm going to start with MIG and go from there. I will updates the thread

Thanks guys, great stuff!

 

if you can weld a 5" thick can with a mig welder that will hold 6000psi be my guest ..... you can stand next to the weld during the hydro test ....

 

Yes because he's welding 5" on his truck... mig is plenty for what i assume he's going to be using. no need to trash talk mig.

 

Migs are good, welders for the common folk.

 

Anybody in the Bay Area should checkout The Crucible : www.thecrucible.org
Different classes, weekend intensives, and a lot of other really cool inspirational artisrty in many industrial arts mediums. I took a GMAW weekend intensive to unlearn some bad habits and reinforce some good ones.

 

i work at Wanapum Dam in Washington State and our new brackets we just made to support the weight of a 500+ ton unit and the brakes to stop them while spinning 85.7 rpm (over 100 mph at the stator) were all welded with a mig welder. and yes thay all passed inspection. so mig my not always be the best i agree, but they are strong when done right too.