Never welded before, want to learn!!

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I eventually want to learn how to build dune buggy frames in my garage as a hobby.  I want to take a few classes to learn how to weld but I am not sure which classes to take.  I am vaguely familiar with gas, but Arc/MIG/TIG is all greek to me.  Do you have any suggestions of what classes I should start out with.  And does anyone know of any good classes in San Diego, CA.I have no welding supplies and I am going to wait until I know exactly what to buy.Any suggestions are appreciated,Doctormorg
Reply:If a buggy frame is what you are shooting for for your first project, I would suggest a decent wire feeder.  More than a few members around here like the hobart 180, but most any good 220 amp consumer-grade wire feeder would serve you well.  I'd go with mig (inert gas and solid wire), not fluxcore (self-shielding), if you plan for the welds to show.  Fluxcore will work, but the mig welds will have a nicer appearance and reduce prep for painting/powder coating.  I had considered a dunebuggy project from scratch myself.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:for the thin wall tubing that you will liikely be using for frames, your most likely going to be using mig, or tig. mig offers the easier learning curve, faster welding, and is typically less expensive for equiptment. tig however offers more control over the weld. and once your used to the proccess can be done quite quickly ive been told.I wouldnt consider stick welding as a realistic means to do what your planning (yes it has been done, yes it is being done, and yes it will continue to be done) because stick welding on thinnner material can be quite tough, and it requires cleanup after welding (gotta chip/wirebrush away all the slag). my $.02 is that you would be best off with a mig welder, it would get you productive quicker, and can be much more portable when fitted with a roll of fluxcore wire.im sure others will chime in soon enough with more experience, and oppinions
Reply:Thanks for the quick responses, is the mig welder something that takes a considerable amount of time to learn, or can I find someone who knows and be taught relatively easy.  I am very handy, but really don't have a smooth touch.
Reply:Mig tends to be  easy to learn in a shorter time, once you get the basicsdown-- heat,wire speed,and bead control. there are books  and videosthat help or a basic welding class at your local college/vo-tech school
Reply:I have been reading up on mig welding/tig welding.  I think mig seems to be the better option being a novice.  Thanks for the input, I believe I am off in the right direction.
Reply:In respect to learning-- check with your local vo-tech schools or community colleges and see what welding classes are available and then talk to the instructors about which classes would be most helpful. They may even be flexible enough to allow you to take specialized parts of several different classes for your interests.I have been pleased with the classes at our local Comm college and they are   very accommodating.  More importantly, I think I am getting a good basis in safe practices, as much as technique and theory.A side benefit is a student discount at a local full service welding supply company, and a 25% discount at a local metal supply house.
Reply:Look into Vo-Tech schools, the expense is not bad compared to what you could get into, it really depends on what you want out of it. i am almost finished with Welding 1 at the Vo-Tech school here in town, we have done our test on Gas welding, Mig Welding, and i just finished my Vertical-Up Stick on 1" plate, now i got to do Overhead. then in welding 2 it gets more indepth and that is the class they add Tig into the lesson plan. i hope i will do well with TIG, since i really like gas welding, at least my instructor said i should catch onto it pretty well. my Vertical-up stick was better than my Horz on 1" plate, so i still got a lot of practicing to do. wel cut it in half and found one little void, i think i missed a little piece of slag when i was chippin the 7018 side, the 6011 side looked ok considering.MikeHH210Hobart Champ 10KLincoln Buzz BoxCampbell Hausfeld 115Victor JourneymanMilwaukee 14" Chop Saw7" Chop Saw4/12" horz band sawmetal benderother toys forthcoming.
Reply:I think I am going to check out Cuyamaca College (a local comm. coll.) and get lined up with some basic classes.Thanks
Reply:and REMEMBER  ITS PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE seat time but dont get bummed out dudes it will get there