Cost for welding instruction?

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I've been calling around locally (Jacksonville, FL) to find someone experienced to teach me the basics of welding.My objective is to learn the basic techniques of welding.  I don't need any certifications or a full-time job, as I'm already fully employed and am not changing careers.  I'm interested in learning the skill of welding and have a few things around the house to do.  I don't want to pick up any bad habits so I figure it's better to learn the right way from the get-go.  I'm interested in MIG for mild steel, probably up to 5/16" max.  I have a small 110V welder (Lincoln Weld-Pak 100, FCAW/GMAW convertible up to 88 amps) that I picked up used for $150 to practice, and once I feel comfortable I'll step up to a 220V machine.I've tried to go the community college route, but the local schools require too much of a time commitment (3+ nights/week over a semester, 40+ miles from home).  I have a family and already work 50+ hours a week so that's not practical for me.I have found one shop owner who has offered to take the time to teach me for free, but the owner's busy and it seems like I'm more of a nuisance than anything else.  Plus it's hard to make schedules match.  The shop's open normal business hours and so I can only go during the week - that means I have to take time off from my regular job.  So far I've been there twice, and have been instructed by the shop apprentice - who actually turns out to be a pretty good instructor.  The shop has some pretty good gear and does a lot of custom work.  As far as I can gather the owner learned by doing.After calling around some more I found another local person to teach me.  This other person's a CWI, runs a local welding inspection business, and charges $65/hr for instruction.  I don't know if that includes equipment and consumables.  He suggests I start out with stick and step up to MIG once I've learned the basics.  He's looking for me to also come in during the week in the early afternoons.  Based on our discussions of what I want to accomplish he figures I'll only need a few hours of instruction.Would like to get some thoughts from the experts here.  Which path would you recommend?  Is it worth $65/hour to learn stick & then MIG?Thanks.
Reply:If all you want to do is MIG, I'd start off there.
Reply:I teach at the local votch high school...Adult ed program...can you look into that in your area?Jonesy
Reply:Check with local art institutes, community colleges, and tech schools.  The local art institute here sponsors a class in oxy-fuel welding, cutting, brazing, and soldering and another class in MIG and SMAW.  Both classes were about $300 + a $35 material fee and took place in six 3-hour sessions in Saturday mornings (about $18-19/hour).  Students get a book with each class and are supposed to by a copy of Welder's Handbook that is sold at Lowe's and Home Depot.  My son and I were the only students in both classes, so we got to learn stuff outside the course, like overhead SMAW.  Hope you find something that suit your needs.TeddCoHTP Microcut 400 & Invertig 160DC  Smith Dual Guard MD-510 OA Rig  Lincoln SP135+  Hobart Stickmate LX 235/160
Reply:I *would not* pay $65/hr for instruction.  90% of your learning will be hands on (ie: self taught)  The basics you can pick up from any welder.  I will admit though, it *IS* good to have someone watch you weld from time to time so they can point out things not to do, different movements, etc...  reminds me of when I took it in school, you could be doing something wrong the entire time and until an instructor came by to point it out, you wouldn't even know it.But if the instructor is going to be AT YOUR SIDE for the entire time, 1 hr instruction is all you might need.  Especially with MIG.  Show you how much stickout is good, what correct V/Amp settings SOUND LIKE while welding (you can often tell just by the sound), and proper gun angle.  Other than that, it's just practice practice practice.It's too bad you dont' have a school close buy - I just did a picker-upper course at the local college just to stay fresh with stick welding (I work with mig and hadn't touched a stick in a couple years).  Took a night class, which went one night a week, 3 hrs per class, for about 4 months.  $230.  (with all top of the line equipment).  Of course, that's in Canada here and our college/university fees are subsidised so we don't pay as much as some other countries.  But if I didn't have that option, yah probably a local weld shop that has some spare time.  AS long as the guy is friendly - even the best welder in the world can be a useless teacher if he doesn't care about teaching his skills.Also, beware of MANY of the welding instructional dvd/tapes out there.  I bought a few before I went to school because I thought I could self-teach myself, and for the most part they're GARBAGE and a waste of money.  You really should have someone standing there watching and able to correct you while your'e welding."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by 6530I have found one shop owner who has offered to take the time to teach me for free, but the owner's busy and it seems like I'm more of a nuisance than anything else.  Plus it's hard to make schedules match.  The shop's open normal business hours and so I can only go during the week - that means I have to take time off from my regular job.  So far I've been there twice, and have been instructed by the shop apprentice - who actually turns out to be a pretty good instructor.  The shop has some pretty good gear and does a lot of custom work.Based on what I want to accomplish he figures I'll only need a few hours of instruction.Would like to get some thoughts from the experts here.  Which path would you recommend?  Is it worth $65/hour to learn stick & then MIG?Thanks.
Reply:The cheap way to learn welding is by cleaning the shop, lol. For anyone who is serious about learning to weld I recommend O/A first (I seldom ever use it anymore but it is real handy if you need it). I still use the techniques I first learned by O/A welding on a daily basis regardless of the process involved. It affords the chance to observe puddle characteristics and how molten metal flows and acts in an environment that doesn't require instant reaction. Then learn sticks, mig and tig. If you can run either sticks or mig it is an easy step into the other process. The same is true for O/A and tig. The main reason us long time welders recommend stick isn't because we are stuck on anything but because of the versatility they allow. I can do anything from 20ga to inches thick with sticks indoor and out, dirty or clean, even with water running out of it, and do it with a machine that costs 250 bucks brand new. My cutting torch with no welding tips or regulators cost more than that. None of the others can do that. I use wire wherever I can, but the current job is all sticks. Just can't get it cleaned up enough for wire. As far as hobby guys go just learn what you want. Most guys with their own shops won't arrange their schedule to fit yours. I charge the same for private lessons per hour as I do on the jobs I take. I still have all of the expense and liability, and even though I have been told I am a really good teacher it is after all still work. If you have no other options get a copy of  "The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding" and read it. An unbelievable amount of information and the best general reference on welding I have been able to find.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly Rogerget a copy of  "The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding" and read it. An unbelievable amount of information and the best general reference on welding I have been able to find.
Reply:My dad gave me the first one he bought in about 1973 a few months back. He also gave me one of the leather bound centennial editions for my birthday when it came out. I use them all the time.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I'd start off by reading books like the other guys mentioned.        Buy a cheap 220v input stick machine that is DC.  If you look hard enough, you ought to be able to find a used Lincoln 225 AC/DC machine for a couple hundred bucks.     Buy some 1/8 '' 6011 and start practicing.    Bring your practice pieces to the welding shop you were talking about for comment.     Then later you can start practicing w/ 7018        You can go back to your wirefeed afterward if you want, but stick the way to learn and understand whats happening.   Get a slag hammer and wire brush and wear them out
Reply:OK, bringing this thread back from the dead.I ultimately decided that it was worth getting instruction from a qualified welder as opposed to trying to do something informal.  Since my last post I've moved from Jax, FL to NC, and last week I finally registered for a welding course at a local community college.  The class is taught 7am - 11am on Saturdays, beginning 8 Jan and running through mid-May.  The course is "Basic Welding Processes" and the description reads "This course introduces basic welding and cutting. Emphasis is placed on beads applied with gases, mild steel fillers and electrodes and the capillary action of solder. Upon completion, students should be able to set up welding and oxy-fuel equipment and perform welding, brazing and soldering processes."  In talking with the department head this course is the right place to start.I've picked up a copy of Lincoln's "The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding" and am in the process of going through it.  I've also been keeping an eye on Craigslist and I've picked up a Lincoln 125 FC MIG ($150) and a Lincoln 225 AC machine (older copper-wound model with 25' cord, 25' leads, and cart for $80).Thanks for the advice!
Reply:Thanks for the update. I think you'll find the class is a good deal when you look at all you get after adding up materials, rod, gas, electric as well as the instructors time and the machines. Since you have the machines, you can practice what you learn in class at home and cut down on some of the repetitious beads in class and concentrate on learning new stuff or working on areas you have trouble with. Be sure and take some of your practice pieces in with you to class and try to get with the instructor early so you can show him what you did and determine what you should work on in class. Then try and see him again in the middle or end and determine what you should work on at home for the next class. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask how you are doing and what you should do to improve. Ask intelegent questions as well. Not "Hows this?", but questions like " I keep having difficulty with this... Should I slow down?" Or " I've tried going faster and slower, but I keep having issues like this ( And have examples of each). What can I do to avoid this?" Most instructors are more than willing to go the extra mile if the student shows a real interest in learning. Keep us posted on how things are going..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:Started classes on the 8th and fired up an oxyacetylene torch today in the second class.  I posted a couple of photos here.I'm pretty excited!!
Reply:nice. glad to hear you found a school. i just started down here in miami - im about 4 months in and im learning tons. oxyfuel was fun for me. im currently on vertical arc and its starting to get challenging. good luck.
Reply:Come to Arkansas and I'll teach you everything I know and I'll do it cheap.  I promise you'll get your money's worth! StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!