Value of 10-week course?

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What value do you think I, and untrained half-capable welder, would get out of this course:http://www.thedailycitizen.com/artic.../features2.txtAlso, I'm going to get confirmation next week from the people running the program, but I guess I'll go ahead and ask you guys too, is there usually an age requirement to take a course like this (or to take the AWS certification)? I'm 17.Thanks!
Reply:jknight8907, I think you would get tremendous benefit out of such a course.  looks like it's run by a well qualified teacher and institution, which would be my first question.If you are interested in a career in welding, this looks like an excellent way to kick-start it.awright(Not a professional welder)
Reply:I can't speak for your course but the O/A course I took at my local college was taught by a professional welder employed at the Bombardier plant. Now I don't know what his training was but his knowledge seemed to be limited to what Bombardier required of him. He obviously was not a reader of books and had done no research outside of the workplace; he didn't know what MAPP gas is, for example.So, if you want to learn welding you might get lucky and have good  instructors at this course. Or you might get a certificate and a foot in the door but will have to find some other way of actually learning to weld.At least get a couple of books like Modern Welding and Lincoln's Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding and work through them. Just that amount of knowledge will give you an edge over most Pro's.(what percentage of pro welders even bother to use the web and these forums? It has to be small. 5%?)A man who can't weld is as poorly educated as a woman who can't sew
Reply:Well, I think I'm going to go for it. Which process would be best to focus on? I'm already a little familiar with MIG, and can make good flat and vertical-down welds.
Reply:I once took a welding course where the instructor just wanted the extra pay for teaching the class.  However, the school had a good shop set up with a lot of metal working equipment so we got all the students together and decided on a series of projects.  We built two car carrier trailers, one small utility trailer, several deer feeders, a garden bench, a canoe rack and a bunch of small repair type stuff.The instructor answered our questions and helped us when we asked him to so it all worked out to be a good experience.  Our final take on it was that we had rented a super shop set up for about $5 an hour per student.The total cost was about what you will be paying.  I suggest you go for it and then make the best of what you find.  The only thing I can think of that might change my mind was if the school had a poor shop set up and lack of equipment.
Reply:(what percentage of pro welders even bother to use the web and these forums? It has to be small. 5%?)
Reply:Knowledge is power...... if you have the time and the cash do it. I would ask about the certification though... as to what kind of a certification they are refering too. Is it just a certificate that says you attended or what. I wounldn't think schools would be offering to certify their students, you would think there may be some kind of conflict of interest there. Either way it wouldn't stop me from attending. As to the course, they may have a prerequisite like Welding 101, SMAW, and then you'd be able to pick and choose after that._________________Chris
Reply:So...welding helmets...Go with the Miller BWE or get a cheap fixed filter?
Reply:Actually, now that I compare the features of the Miller Performance with the BWE, looks like Performance is just as good as the BWE, except for the lens size.
Reply:I would go with a cheap fixed filter.  If you do sign up for the course ask for an course outline and supplies list.  Often that will be given to you anyway.  If not you could contact the instructor before you start asking what to bring.  I expect you will need hard toe boots and safety glasses among other things.  Don't spend all your money until you find out.  During the course you will see other students choices in equipment and will learn from their mistakes or good choices.
Reply:That's a good idea, I just fired off an email at to ask about that. Steel toes aren't a problem since I have to wear those anyway.
Reply:As an afterthought...  You are 18 years old!!!!.. right?  Some programs have a minimum age.  I worked with a guy who got his Los Angeles City welding ticket at the age of 16.  Soon after they changed the minimum age.
Reply:They said the minimum is 17, which I am.
Reply:What kind of gloves would you suggest to do both stick and mig with?
Reply:Regular heavy leather welding gloves, usually around 10 bucks at the local welding supply or Home Depot.If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:This is an observation from a non-welder but an old geezer with lots of other experiences.Welding seems to be like riding a bike.  You can learn it by buying and wearing out cheap bikes, used bikes or expensive bikes.  You can beg, borrow a friends and get a few minutes experience with a variety.If you take a course in bike repair you will test out a variety of fast/ rigid/slow and powerful bikes and be in a position to decide which to own.butTo learn to ride well you need to practice practice practice