From Massachusetts....

admin

Where do I go to learn the how to do my own welding. I'm interested not so much as a vocation but as a hobby. I'm interested in fabricating products for my own personal use and for repairing my jeep but I can't seem to find anywhere around here that offers welding classes. Any info would be graeyly appreciated.Thanks,CaptainJim
Reply:I learned from the local community college. Voc-ed trade schools, etc are the way to go for quality instruction.Depending on your desired level of commitment, theres lots of options.Schools:The hobart institute http://www.welding.org/index.htmlLincoln Welding school: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...ng/weldschool/Videos:Wall mountain http://www.weldingvideos.com/video4.html (i have the o/a series from him, its fantastic, other folkx have given good reviews of the GMAW)RCT: http://www.rctresources.com/catalog/welding.htmlInternet:http://www.tpub.com/content/construc.../14250_177.htmhttp://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/at.../9-237/toc.htmhttp://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig1_1.htmI highly recommend you take a class, if your intended application is vehicle related stuff. It takes training to learn how to make a truely strong weld, and inspecting for defects. You do not want to put your life on the line if your weld fails. You might even consider dropping in on some of the local welding shops with a box of donuts and chat them up about where to go locally for instruction, or if they would offer some sort of tutoring/apprenticeship.Most folks will usually just pick up a small machine 175A or so, and a video, and just practice. This is great if your just making 'stuff'. But a semester in class is worth years of self-taught hobbyist experience, and learning how to inspect welds is a practically impossible thing to teach yourself.
Reply:CaptainJim,What part of massachusetts you hail from?
Reply:I don't know if the link will work, but if not, just Google mass + welding + school and you get enough hits to last a night of reading.http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...welding+schoolAppreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Thanks Joe & everyone for the great info. Joe ... you gave a very full answer and some great leads. I'm originally from Marlboro and now live in Hubbardston Mass (5 mins. West of Wachusett Mountain). I have found the closest place so far for hands-on welding classes to be New Hampshire Community Technical College in Manchester.As you said Joe I'll probably "pick up a small machine 175A or so, and a video, and just practice", but I'll also take some classes to speed up the learning curve. My main purpose , as I said before is just for personal use. Right now I have to pay people whenever I bust a lower control arm or something on my Jeep, and there are some things I'd like to try to fab myself, like bumpers.Many guys 4 wheeling carry "on board" welders on their Jeeps in case they have a break on the trail. It's tough getting a tow truck to come out where we wheel and pull us out. So...Thanks again all!Capt. Jim
Reply:Capt. JimToo bad your not located a little closer. I'm 92 miles east, southeast as the crow flies.
Reply:Main,My wifes parents and my Uncle live in Yarmouthport, so we do get down that way occasionally.Capt. Jim
Reply:CaptainJim.  Good luck with the classes.  One word of caution, however.  Vehicle suspension and steering components are frequently forged and heat treated parts.  While they can be weld repaired, proper filler selection and re-heat treating to restore strength is another issue, usually beyond the capability of the average hobbyist-welder.  Many weld/machine shops won't even touch them because of the liability in our sue-crazy society, a society that appears hell-bent on making lawyers rich at everyone else's expense.  Replacement is probably the better option here.But you'd still have plenty to do.  Given where you live, with all the salt they put on the roads, you could have a lifetime hobby just welding and replacing floor pans and body panels.
Reply:Capt. JimIf your ever headed down this way and you have'nt started welding yet feel free to stop in and try your hand at striking an arc. Plenty of material in the scrap boutique. Just send me a PM and I'll give you complete directions. You go right by the place on your way to Yahmithport.
Reply:Hubberson MA wow thats a ways from me I am a little further up right on the NH border. But the weathers is sure getting better huh. Not sure but I think that the voke tecs around here run a few small courses I will check today for you and get back to ya. Manchester from me is about 45 min, so I can only think it must be hrs fro you.Bernie
Reply:OlPilot - thanks for the words of warning...  repairs on things like lower control arms, steering box brackets and such would be just and emergency fix to get me "out of the woods" so to speak. You're right... after that I could buy a new Lower control are for like 100 bucks. Not worth risking death for... so I'd just replace it once home. Other than that I'd just be looking at projects like making my own rocj bumpers or tire carriers. Looks pretty simple... 2x4 or 2x5 rectangular tube, capped off at the ends and a couple brackets to bolt it on.As for your comment... "Given where you live, with all the salt they put on the roads, you could have a lifetime hobby just welding and replacing floor pans and body panels" unfortunately this is too true Thanks again all,Capt. Jimbjdenommee... where from?
Reply:Tyngsboro MA , just outside NH line.
Reply:Up Route 3, near the Merrimack River... I have a buddy that lives in North Pepperel (spelling wrong?). Nice Area... Do you weld for work or hobby?Capt. Jim
Reply:I own my own biz been in the family for years my granddad started it. Yea we do quite a bit of welding mostly steam boiler repairs and pipe work. Bernie
Reply:Hey CaptainJim,Just read this. I live in the next town over from you (Gardner).  You can take the welding class at Monty Tech (http://www.montytech.net). The "I" class starts on the 26th. As far as a place to get supplies and ask the occasional question, you can try Wick Welding on West Broadway. axehind