Learning to weld

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I am in Mint Hill NC, near Charlotte. Im Retired and learning to weld and was wondering if their are any experienced weldors close by that would consider tutoring me in Mig and tig If so we can work out compensation when we talk Thanks Ray Mc
Reply:Hey Ray,Welcome to both arenas....Retirement & Welding. Both are fascinating & enjoyable. I just retired in May of this year as our company closed. I have my own welding/fab/machine shop at home & keep quite busy. My internal alarm clock still wakes me at 6am & I take on the day no matter what it presents. I will suggest to keep yourself busy & don't let mediocrity & "daily-routine-of-nothing-to-do" make for slow days. It sounds like you want to find new interests & I applaud your delving into welding.....quite satisfying. It can be very enjoyable even to just do some "fixin'" or make some crafts or projects. Also, learning several process will keep your wits sharp & focused & thus the mental exercise we need in the autumn years of life. Wish you were closer. I'd gladly take you in to teach you & share some interesting avenues of this vast arena. I sincerely hope a member here may know someone close to you that would give you some guidance & allow you to "get your feet wet." I promise you, you will love it...... don't give up on your goal.....DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:what he said
Reply:Well I live kind of close to you (Albemarle). But the only problem is that I am just a hobbyist welder that is self taught. And I don't know if I could really teach you anything (I'm not much of a teacher). I usually only MIG weld.
Reply:Ram 48  Hi and welcome to WW and free time. Might be a Jr College close by, they got good welding courses for many types of welding. Cost is  low $ and U get the safety and all as U go?   enjoy, BretLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionRam 48  Hi and welcome to WW and free time. Might be a Jr College close by, they got good welding courses for many types of welding. Cost is  low $ and U get the safety and all as U go?   enjoy, Bret
Reply:Check and see if there are any "Vo-tech" schools in your area.  Some of them have night classes that are pretty cheap and just cover the basics to get you started.  I like them as you get to try different machines and that helps you decide what you want to buy for your home shop.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ram48Bret There are two community colleges not too far away but both only want to teach certificationclasses If I was younger Id enjoy that but at 62 and a hobbyist I just wan to run better beadsand get the basic understanding of tig
Reply:Originally Posted by app-ironworksllcEven the cert classes should be able to give you some good pointers and some "hood" time.That's really all it takes to get started. Some basic understanding of theory, and lots (& lots & lots & lots) of practice.If you ever get up to the Asheville area give me a hollar. If I'm at the shop you're welcome to come by.
Reply:Ram, the Charlotte area is crawling with some very high grade welders, perhaps an ad in Craigs List might find you a mentor closer than you think.  Otherwise if you go to the Miller resources tab and buy the 25 student pack it will give you a ton of the theory so when you start welding you will have a good basic idea of whats going on.  It will help and definately not hurt till you get a mentor.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?