Trying to learn to weld the right way

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Hey guys Ive been asking some questions and getting humbled some. Ive been interested in going from a metal fuser to a welder. I have had some experience bonding metals and want to broaden my knowledge. I race atvs for a passion and by parts for them from people who are welders. I want to get better a welding aluminum and 4130 but dont have a clue on prep and fillers/gases and other things to do. my local welding shop offers basic fundamentals. seems like a good place to start. They have certificates for D17.1, ASME and D1.1.  what are these certificates for? Are they worth spending over a $1000 each course for. I really enjoy this trade and have a desire for more knowledge. lincoln sp100miller syncrOwave 200 matobo grinders6 different torches for display  Learning the trade
Reply:Get yourself an ac/dc tig machine and start practicing. That $1,000.00 will go a long way toward a decent machine that will let you get started "tig" welding.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I'm taking a basic, hobby class at my local community college.  The class covers mig, tig, stick, oxy/fuel, gas cutting and plasma cutting.  The last 5 weeks of the class are left for a project or whatever you want to do (practice tig, whatever).  There's only three people in the class so there is a lot of one to one with the instructor.  Only cost me $80 bucks (tuition was free from work) so you might think about that.  The college offers AWS certs in all the welding forms and also does ICAR certs for autobody stuff.  The college just spent about $2 million dollars on the shop, not including the equipment.  Whole rows of 350P's and Synchrowave Tigs to use.  Also, lots of shop equipment (ironworkers, shears, brakes, band saws, forges, anvils, etc) to get some experience on.  Sorry for the rant - check it out.Last edited by maidenfan; 02-08-2008 at 04:04 PM.
Reply:I would strongly recommend the community college route.  You will get much more for your money.  Most CC's start you out with Oxy/Ace welding and allow you to progress to more sophisticated processes after demonstrating competence.  You will still have enough money to purchase you own "beginner" machine to practice at home with too.The certs. you asked about are for specific codes, but I would not recommend taking a class that says you will be certified to those codes.  They are both American Welding Society (AWS) code numbers, I don't know where you got ASME D1.1 from.  AWS D1.1 is  Structural Welding Code - Steel and AWS D17.1 is Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications.  While these might be good classes, the value of the certificate that you receive is uncertain.  Perhaps they might help someone to get a job, but that is about it.  In addition, these classes will most likely focus on techniques and welding applications that are not really applicable to what you want to do for your ATV parts.I am a CWI, and I NEVER rely on any judgment of a welders ability other than my own.  I am responsible for the quality and integrity of every weld I stamp, so I decide if you are qualified.Keep up the interest and have fun!Last edited by Chris welds; 02-08-2008 at 04:47 PM.
Reply:Chris, how did you get your CWI? Just curious about the process.
Reply:In my sig I have posted my equipment that I own. I have a syncrowave 200 and a lincoln sp100. What Im trying to learn is mostly going to be aluminum 6061 and 5052. I also make some frame gussets out of 4130. The biggest trouble I have is on the tubing I have been trying to weld. Its hard welding a circle. I finally found a digital camera to post some pic so I can get some pointers. My main interest is trying to learn good penetration and proper filler material for different applications. I have searched on here some advised and found some good stuff. Like welding 4130 to Japanese tube you shouldn't use 4130 it was some like er70s6 I think. I have it printed in my shop. You guys are great for help and I appreciate all of your time and any more input you gents have.lincoln sp100miller syncrOwave 200 matobo grinders6 different torches for display  Learning the trade
Reply:I don't know how relavent this may be, but many years ago I had brown hair instead of grey and was several months away from leaving the Air Force and planned to work in a field in which I needed to weld a lot.   I welded quite a bit as a kid but I knew I was going to need some real theory and training.  I found a guy on base who was a civilian employee and a professional welder.  He had a machine and the material, I got a hood.   I can't remember what I payed him per hour but it wasn't much.  I didn't memorize a lot of charts and tables but I'd run a bead and he'd explain what was good and what was bad and why.     Probably only about twenty hours worth, but it's had a major impact on my welds and how I understand welding in general for the last 27 years.   A few weeks and a couple hundred dollars.  I've really mangled a piece or two but I don't think anything I've done has failed.  Just a thought.
Reply:Thanks breezer. I have a local guy up the street but I feel like I'm invading sometimes. He has seen some of my welds and told me to practice practice ect.. He said he has seen much worse welds from certified welders. They didn't follow advice A which I have seen alot around. Im starting to understand. My hat size is a 7 7/8, ya know all cranium. Ive put down the book and picked up the torch. Ill post some of my welds. On picture is of 1"tube to 1x3/8 plate other is practicing on angle. The pic may look glared. The other is my table I built on wheels a few weeks ago with stick and 7018. It is a ss table top that I built a frame around Attached Imageslincoln sp100miller syncrOwave 200 matobo grinders6 different torches for display  Learning the trade
Reply:heres another. Sorry for stain under table. Another welder cart. Some more angle and my first table and cart. It has 3/16 top plate they were 10" wide so I put 2x2 angle under the joints. Attached Imageslincoln sp100miller syncrOwave 200 matobo grinders6 different torches for display  Learning the trade
Reply:Moded again.   You are set up fine!!Community college is working just fine for me at this point, I can go nights and have done saturdays. End of the month is the start of the spring semester here, I am registered in 2 classes this go 'round.We just have to work on your photography!! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Not sure what moded means. Ill work on pictures. My garage is all steel. My pop built it I organized it. I made a lot of shelves and racks in it. Better than wood. Unless its hard and my ladie is around. Is there a forum I could learn to make jigs around or can someone give me some pointers. Wood metal. how to clamp to keep from distorting?lincoln sp100miller syncrOwave 200 matobo grinders6 different torches for display  Learning the trade
Reply:Just some local slang, same as having one's foot in one's mouth.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny