Welding beginnings

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Hello all, I am new to the forums and I have been looking through threads about beginners and whatnot. I have a dilemma of sorts. I have been going to school at night for welding but its only once a week, and upon its completion I realized I should be welding more, especially since after going for a welding test/interview they told me I need more practice(which I expected), and so I started thinking about more training and how to get it. My question to you guys is how did you guys start off, and how did you get trained? Was it formal at a school or was in hands on? Did you maybe need additional training? The vocational school I attended for night class has a day class, its a lot more in depth and takes a lot more time. 2 years/900 hours to be exact. Thats what I was thinking, since there aren't any tech schools that teach welding in my area.I live in central NJ.. I am 25, I wish I didn't have to spend portentially 2 more years starting this upcoming September, but I guess if its what you really wanna do then do it right?Any info would be helpful, thank you
Reply:Well i start welding at age 16 at home, doing some agricultural machine repair work, using both stick and MIG/MAG,But if you are so new to welding, the only thing you can do is to get some scrap metal and start welding, photo it and point out what difficulty's you are having ¤If you got money, i've got time
Reply:yeah right now im 16 and i attend Warren Central High School in Indiana, my teacher has been in the field for more than 20 years, basically the best way to learn is at school or by someone else (in my opinion)
Reply:Originally Posted by tmcglaughlinyeah right now im 16 and i attend Warren Central High School in Indiana, my teacher has been in the field for more than 20 years, basically the best way to learn is at school or by someone else (in my opinion)
Reply:Yeah, my uncle taught me to MIG weld over the summer, that's what really turned me onto it and so I took the night class. Problem is, hes getting up there in age and I cant always rely on him to be around, not to mention he isn't bad at welding but I am not sure if he knows a quality weld from his own ya know?(half the time he asks me to try to weld the harder stuff). He has taught he a lot don't get me wrong, but I was thinking along the lines of school so this way if I was making mistakes I could be corrected the proper way so I wouldn't keep making mistakes over again.
Reply:Like many in here my father started me when I was only 5. He would should show me how to prepare the metal, set up the stick and strike the arc. After a couple of supervised tries he would set me free in the metal scrap pile. After a while he would return, grap a welded piece put it in a vise and strike it with a hammer. He would then tell and show me what I did wrong then tell me to get back into that scrap pile and do it all over again and again."Practice and Break"I suggest you do the same if you have access to the equipment then right after those classes you are taking you should be Practicing what you were taught and Break the weld to see if you did it right.Good luck,TomCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:probably ten minutes of instruction  to 6 hours of practice or some ratio like that..
Reply:Yeah well again, hes not always around, as he is getting up there with age, sadly its getting harder for him to teach and fumble around in his garage with me. And I don't have any own equipment. I'm just really looking to see how other people did it. Obviously I can see a lot of learning was passed down, but I don't got that nearly as much as you guys do.. Thats why I'm just looking at all and any options.
Reply:Mikey,I don't know where you live, but if you search around and start hanging around folks that weld, Fab shops, Heavy equipment shops, LWS's, you will likely find some ole timers that would love to help a youngster (if he is ambitious, honest, willing to work)  I did as a few others, learned mostly on my own to fix stuff around the place that broke.  In Highschool (a long time ago)  I took auto shop/metal shop and burned a little metal there and once I made little pieces I stuck them back together.  I started tinkering with Cars and taught myself to O/A weld and eventually saved up and bought a Lincoln "tombstone" so I could start less stuff on fire!  When I got started in Elevator Construction in 1970 I had a jump on the other aprentices as I could pass stick weld tests and that set me up to do the "good" jobs (they had the most OT)  While on the Construction sites I hung out with the Welders from the Ironworkers that stacking steel, to the guys putting in wall panels, and the Fitters that were welding pipe.  (anotherwords I looked for opportunities to learn)  I swept a lot of rod and slag of the floor for guys, I brushed/ ground and chipped a lot of welds for nothing! and it paid off.I am sure there is still those opportunities around as well as the formal education process.  (I would look into taking a class at least 3 times a week, (you will get a lot more out of it)  As well I would keep an eye out for a machine, Stick/mig/or even tig, as they go on Craigs list pretty cheap and you then will have something "invested" in your future!Good Luck,Tim,PS: post some pictures on this site and you will get some GREAT feedback/critique on your practice---it will keep you humble as there are some real pro's here!A rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Thank you Tim for the info, I live in NJ.. And I have actually been calling around to fab or metal shops to see if they need helpers or anything of the sort. I would love to work in one of those places since my layoff in November, but I guess the way the economy is they are all telling me to come back at another time or until I can actually weld, so its a bit frustrating(because if no one is willing to teach or hire, even as as simple helper, how can I learn?).. And my plan is to attend vocational school for the 2nd part of the 1 day a week night course starting in late January, but then in September enroll full time 5 days a week in the 2 year program, seems to be the only way to go outside of paying a lot and going to Hobart or somewhere like that.. I will see if my uncle knows anyone willing to teach on a more personal basis or something.I love this trade and I don't want to let a few bumps stop me. After doing a lot of dead end jobs and potential careers, at my age I am happy that I found something I LOVE to do, and that above all is so important in this world. I am so willing to learn and be critiqued on my work any day, I seriously could weld all day for like 10 hours straight. I just want to get trained well and get as much practice in, like anyone who's picked up a torch says: practice, practice, practice!
Reply:From personal experience I can tell you, if you have the money, Hobart is worth every penny.
Reply:I hadn't ever really welded in my whole life until a friend showed me a little bit about it, then I went to the local community college to learn how to do it right and now i'm already almost welding pipe  lot's of fun. but lot's of practice. If I succeed as a welder, I will be a first generation welder in my family.  how cool.
Reply:Yes thank you for all your guys input I appreciate it, I'm just gonna keep my head up and keep looking around for ways to learn. I wish I had the money for Hobart but I don't, I am already 10K in the hole for failed semesters at college(well not failed, more like 'I really don't wanna do this for a career')but never the less, I am just happy I found something I love to do and get excited about every time I even think about it.
Reply:An electric soldering iron will get you melting 60/40! All welding boils down to puddle control. Pay attention in the classes that you are able to take and apply yourself to learning what they can teach you. Being hungry to learn will help you to focus. http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/guidelines_smaw.pdfhttp://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/weld/weld.htmlCity 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