Looking for a Private welding school

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I'm new to this forum, and also to welding.I'm hoping to get some direction from someone who can direct me to a good local private instructor, or school in my area.I do a lot of car restorations but I always have to farm out replacement of things such as rocker panels, and floors, so it would be helpful if I had the basic skills to do this for myself.Any help would be greatly appreciated.I live in Santa Cruz Ca.   95062Thanks in advance to anyone who might offer any suggestions.
Reply:Most community colleges around you have a welding program. When you add everything up like equipment and materials; community colleges are stupid cheap.
Reply:Originally Posted by Killroy1942Most community colleges around you have a welding program. When you add everything up like equipment and materials; community colleges are stupid cheap.
Reply:Around me most local high school votech schools run evening Adult Ed. classes in a variety of programs. Welding, machining, auto body repair, landscaping, various business skills...As mentioned most are stupid cheap when you add up what you get for your money..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:you are just a hop, skip, and a jump from San Jose area where there has to be a ton of schools.  And as mention for the drive to the area,and cost it would be wll worth it.
Reply:ive actually done a lotta research into this, but it mostly applies to my particular region, but perhaps it applies to you too for your consideration..private colleges are mostly unregulated, and super expencive, pretty much as expencive as a year at a university. i would suggest going to a community college, it is regulated, cheap, higher assured quality, and recognized by industry much more so than private colleges.edit : there are private colleges in my area with welding courses that have teachers they directly hire from their own graduating class, with no real world experience. community colleges on the other hand seem to have only people with decades of experience in industry.Last edited by snappy101; 03-17-2012 at 12:19 AM.
Reply:Good luck. Public programs in Califunia are going away by droves. You would be better served by contacting every business in the area that would consider training you. I do this and it works pretty well for me. Only half though have what it takes for me to keep them. They learn all aspecs of the fabrication procedures, introduction to blueprint reading in my shop, then migrate to tacking, then welding. Some even figure out that they really like machining, and go that route.Training wage in California is $6.80 an hour for a few weeks. At least you will get a taste for the work.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:Originally Posted by shovelonGood luck. Public programs in Califunia are going away by droves. You would be better served by contacting every business in the area that would consider training you. I do this and it works pretty well for me. Only half though have what it takes for me to keep them. They learn all aspecs of the fabrication procedures, introduction to blueprint reading in my shop, then migrate to tacking, then welding. Some even figure out that they really like machining, and go that route.Training wage in California is $6.80 an hour for a few weeks. At least you will get a taste for the work.
Reply:another vote for local community college.some even have continuing education type classes for vocations.look into it.dave
Reply:I emailed my local high-school Tech School Director and asked if any of his welding teachers would be interested in giving me lessons on the side.  Before the day was out, an instructor called, we agreed on lesson price and scheduled a lesson.  He was happy to make some extra money and I was happy with the training.Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250