My next step

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Ok. Forgive me if this is silly, but I'm not sure how to proceed with my new hobby. I got into welding last November, and since then have upgraded from a harbor freight welder to a lincoln 140, a bigger chop saw, better grinder, better helmet, but now I'm at a crossroads. I feel like to get better at this I need to take a class. There's only so much I can figure out, and I learn better being instructed than reading. But, I have a career, kid, wife, and a full on welding curriculum just won't fit my schedule now. I do however have time for a once a week hobby class or something to that effect. I plan on calling the community college to see what they have, but it looks like its all or nothing. So, that leads me to my next issue. Tools. Each time I start producing better welds I find that fitment of parts is key, and want to buy more tools. What should I get next, classes or a few more tools to try learning by doing?Tools I'm looking at are a bench top belt sander, the $180 porter cable one at lowes. But the sanding discs I bought for my anger grinder don't do crap to steel. I'm also thinking about a tubing bender and notcher. Or just trying to grind the joints. Also debating getting an ac-225 and going to town with that. Anyway, tons of respect for you guys and your skills. I've always wanted to be able to make things from scratch, and I think if I keep working at it, i might get decent at it someday.And, meh, just ignore this if you think I'm being silly.
Reply:You are right. Fabricating is an art of it's own. Good Luck, and hold onto your wallet.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Classes and use their tools so you don't have to experiment with your money.  It is hard to get any money back out of an inferior tool that just isn't good enough.
Reply:Maybe it's possible you could take just few of the classes at night without taking the entire curriculum. I went full time 30 years ago 40 hours a week for 6 months. Most of it was hands on welding, maybe talk to an instructor to see if you could squeeze in on the hands on.I have also seen welders take night classes just for practice maybe before a test, I have done the same.
Reply:If this is a hobby and you are interested in fabrication and making projects, I wouldnt do the classes. My school its just welding coupons. Nothing more, they arent really crazy about students using shop tools for their own projects, and there isnt enough time... I would find some projects you want to do and just go for it. there is tons of information here on the net and plenty willing to help. Now if you are wanting to improve on the welding aspect in particular, then going to class would benefit you greatly
Reply:Sorry, I can't help with the welding education as I've only just begun to learn tig welding, but recommend buying the best tools you can afford. Most of my shop machines were bought used, off c/l. Some I just couldn't do without are:stationary belt/disc sanderabrasive cutoff sawvertical bandsawair compressordrill presstable saw
Reply:There is a lot to be gained from watching some welding videos found online.  Some of the authors are bona fide instructors that also have welding DVDs you can buy.  I would get as much free stuff as possible and proceed at a pace you have time for, and can afford.
Reply:I think I will call the local school, and I guess I will just save up for good tools. Just make sure I get good stuff. I watched a ton of videos at first, and I'll go back to that now.I've been reading about tube notchers and benders on here lately, big money for the good stuff. I did find one bender I may be able to build.Anyway, thanks guys. I know for sure when I retire in 14 years, I'm going to want to be welding as my new job.
Reply:Just to offer a slightly different viewpoint from those already mentioned, one of the biggest "keys" to welding in my opinion is hood time, That is time actually spent welding. I know for me when I researched it the cost of 1 class for one semester learning open root tig was $365, and all you had to provide was an angle grinder and ppe. All your argon and all your plate or pipe was included. I was one of those students who just got in my weld booth and welded. I advanced through plate in a few weeks and moved on to pipe. I figure went through about 500 bucks in materials, easy. Not saying you cant get the same results in your own shop or garage but it is gonna cost ya! Just something to think about. Good Luck whichever way you decide to go!
Reply:Time under the hood is definitely a winner. Of course if you do not have something to weld, just welding coupons is boring as hell. Figure out something that has a while of welding for each unit Made like Plant stands or candle holders or anything that you can sell at the local Nursery. Even if you only make a little bit of money you still are learning while your working and that is why we are talking here.  Mac
Reply:I'd have to say to take a class. Many times simply someone watching you weld can point out issues you'd never be able to spot working on your own. Colleges are one option, but around by my place almost all the votech high schools have night classes open to anyone. Most are geared with the working person in mind as far as schedules and such..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I wouldnt buy that belt sander thingy. I have welded for 44 years without one of them and only 2 weeks of welding school and never got much out of that. Forget the AC225 and go get a DC machine somewhere. Buy a pile of 6011 1/8 in. and start burning. Always run as cold as you can keep a good arc going and you will be fine . A cheap side grinder and a hammer  and a torch would be good. But you can watch around and usually come up with some good tools. One more thing buy a hood with a large fixed shade lens in it and learn with that. So many guys spend to much money on their hood and then dont have money for the tools that count. My 2 cents worth.
Reply:Is there a local shop that you could buddy up with the owner and get some one on one lessons.  Go in and work for free on week ends or evenings.  When I was 14 I hung around a shop down the street.  He started out letting me watch with a hood after school.  I guess I asked too many questions.  He talked to my parents and let me weld.  I was hooked. Dan
Reply:The biggest help for me has been time under the hood.  In all honesty I've only tried MIG and Stick but I really like the later.  It's just something about Arc welding that's frustrating and rewarding at the same time.
Reply:I buy used to save money. You can get industrial quality for the same price as the box store weak stuff. Maybe cheaper.Buying used you also don't really lose money on a tool you don't use. If you find you don't like it, don't use it, or its not what you wanted you can normally sell it again for what you paid for it in the first place.
Reply:First off if I could find a Nite class I would take it, but you can learn yourself with some help, lots of Videos out there and lots of practice.I agree with above don't buy the Ac welder or the Sander you can make any joint with a grinder and a vise.  A torch would be next purchase if you don't have one.  You can make up all sorts of joints with sq tube, pipe, angle, and flat plate and weld them up you can just use small stubs of all the above mentioned.Practice every day some on running stringers in all positions and some on test joints, say a piece of 2" pipe onto a piece of flat plate and so on you will get better at welding and fitting.Just my .02 worth
Reply:Having an instructor examine your welds, and then show you exactly what you did wrong and then having him showing you the proper technique is invaluable.Try and see if there is a tech school in your area, I only go a single night a week.
Reply:I think it depends on what you are building.   Like you said, fit up and cutting techniques are key to many projects.  OTOH, good welds are key to other projects.   I guess schools don't teach  "metal construction" classes.  FWIW, I just started welding a year ago.  As with many other things in my life, I've done my learning on my  own.   Yes, I'm sure I could do better welds if I took a $500 night class, but I've been having fun learning on my own.It is often said here "practice, practice, practice."  BUT practicing doing it the wrong way won't teach you the right way!    I like the idea of having an experienced welder watch and critique how you work if you can find someone.   You have to figure out what you need the most:  fit-up/cutting/assembly techniques, or actual hood time.  It depends a lot of what projects you will be doing.   One can learn a lot here on the board and watching youtube videos.  As to tools, I would say beware of the "New Yankee Workshop/Norm Abrams" philosophy of needing 30 dozen tools.  A good craftsman can do a lot with just a few basic tools if you use them right.  Ten more tools won't magically help if you don't have the skills to use them.I'm not sure how useful a benchtop belt/disk sander would be for metal working.     A bench grinder can be useful and a bandsaw could be very useful.Ken
Reply:There are plenty of videos on the internet showing the right way for any process and position.
Reply:i took a night class about 5yrs. ago it was a Hobby welding class it was very basic but one thing you will learn that no one is mentioning is safety mainly torch safety ,so that would really help . i then went back for a more advanced MIG class and learned allot like what a cold weld looks like or what undercut is for example . you normally get out of those classes what you put into   them .i see one thing you have already learned is to have quality equipment  buying the cheap tools is a waste of time and money and just complicates the learning process . you mentioned a bench top belt sander the stuff at lowes is most of the time for woodworking it will not last and will not have enough power to cut metal any way i assume you are planing on doing tubing because you mentioned a tubing notcher  that would be a god send for fitting tubing i have an upright 1 HP.  Dayton belt / disc sander with a 6 x48 belt and a 9 in disc and  could not live without it one of the handiest tools i own no matter what i do i can't bog that damn thing down . keep an eye on CL  for some good used industrial grade ones. as for your disc problem there is some good places on the net to buy good quality abrasives try supergrit.com . most of the box stores cater to the woodworker not the metal worker . good luck let us know what you figure out . chris
Reply:Originally Posted by ct from shawnee...i have an upright 1 HP.  Dayton belt / disc sander with a 6 x48 belt and a 9 in disc and  could not live without it...
Reply:Originally Posted by ezduzitMine is an ancient Delta with 12" disc and 6x48 belt. Couldn't live without it.
Reply:Thanks for all the feedback. I'm still reading like crazy on here and looking into classes.
Reply:Having taken welding classes I can say they are worth it for the material you will use, however twenty students one teacher.  The better alternative, hire a local experienced welder to teach as needed. One hour of one on one student teacher time will be spread over five days, weeks, maybe at the local CC. Also the curriculum at weld school is somewhat set. An experienced welder in your shop helping solve your problems is invaluable.