Metal fabrication, welding workshop near Seattle?

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Hi everyoneFirst post. Does anyone know of a metal fabrication, and welding workshop in the Seattle area?I am hobbist, and I want to work on personal projects only (details below)... So extensive trade school / courses would be overkill My end goal is to fabricate and weld replacement pieces to repair small rusted areas of my 57 Beetle. Around the floor pan, heater channels, etc. These are all simple-shaped, invisible areas, so I feel comfortable doing the job myself and learning a ton while I am at it. The steel is 18 gauge steel I believe on those 50s models (thicker than the later models).I got myself a Lincoln MIG welder (it does both flux and argon).Taking a course in a workshop with experience instructors seem to make sense.Thank you for any info you may have!Looking forward to learn a lot from all of you.ManuelLast edited by ARTIFACT; 10-05-2010 at 05:15 PM.
Reply:Not exactly.There are classes at Pratt, but they are more art oriented.http://www.pratt.org/There are welding classes at South Seattle CC-http://www.southseattle.edu/programs...ch/weldfab.htmand at Everett CC-http://www.everettcc.edu/programs/bw...g-fabrication/
Reply:Ries: thank you very much for the quick reply. The Everett CC looks promising. I will enquire more info re: costing and duration (I can't take a multi-year course for my needs)
Reply:Artifact,I think between good practice at home, pics on this site, commentary (from some) on this site and maybe a little local help from some peeps in your area you can tackle the job you are trying to tackle.Good luck and have fun.UA Local 598
Reply:Thanks for the encouraging words!I think I will start on my own as you describe.I am reading a book, and have watched a few videos focused on safety (what I don't want to make mistakes on!).I will be posting newbie questions on the forum, when I have a short list.Thanks again.
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughesArtifact,I think between good practice at home, pics on this site, commentary (from some) on this site and maybe a little local help from some peeps in your area you can tackle the job you are trying to tackle.Good luck and have fun.
Reply:Taking a class is often the most cost effective way to learn. For one thing you learn the right way from the start, and don't have to unlearn bad habits. When you add up all the wire, gas, rod, electric and materials, as well as the cost of an instructor, you usually are getting much more than your monies worth. If a class is 30hrs ( 3hrs one night for 10 weeks) and you pay $400 for the class, thats roughly $13.33 / hr AND you get the wire/gas/ materials as well!I learned mig the hard way on my own, and learned OA, stick and tig in classes. The class was by far the way to go to get up to speed fast and doing it correctly. Once you've got the basics down, then you can work on your own to improove..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:Originally Posted by Fat BastardThread hijackWhat is a "peeps"
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughes"some peeps"  =  some peopleOk, let me have it....
Reply:Christ, I am so much cooler than you.UA Local 598