I am wondering if I should go to tech for welding, which was my plan, or just buy a tig welder and practice at home building automotive peices for people around town, online, and for myself.

I've already taken advanced welding in highschool and got semi-good at aluminum TIG the first day I did it. I have a powerful drive so weather I'm in school or not I will be welding.

First though is there a demand for stuff like this still, automotive fabrication?

The tech class is only a 1 year course and goes through the basics all the way up to Aluminum/Stainless TIG in the end (atleast i think that's what it said).

 

self taught is what I did...I asked a lot of questions whenever I was around other welders. If I ever did take a class I would have to see the instructors welds first. And make sure his welds are phenomenal....otherwise I dont think its worth paying some guy, who read the same books you can find anywhere, and is now a resident expert.

 

Well there is a guy in town I wanna shadow if he has the time because I've heard he is the best from everyone. I am probably going to give him a call to see if I can go to his shop and see what he does on the side. Hopefully he's cool about it or I don't know anyone else I could shadow because either they don't TIG or they don't weld at all.

 

Find your local chapter of AWS. In alot of places they meet once a month for a dinner, a lecture, and then just talk welding for as long as anyone hangs out for. TONS of knowledge at those type of events.

 

http://thefabschool.com/fab_school_content.html

This is not a school that you could attend because of the distance, but i can say having a teacher that knows how everything works and why really helped me get my stuff alot nicer.

Jason Whitfield

 

i had one lesson and then just messed around for a couple years figuring it out on my own... i am now taking a course taught by a welding engineer with over 25 years experience.... glad i took the course as i've learned a lot more in a few classes than i did in the past couple years on my own.

 

Taking a class not only helps out because of having an instructor but you get a lot of practice and the school provides the equipment and materials.

 

Agreed !!

If you are from So Cal peep these guys -

http://www.theFabSchool.com

 

School is great, I went for advanced welding twice. But school can only take you so far. At the end of my second year I was throwing out welds that my teacher go wow. They do help teach you how to set up machines and tell you what you are doing right and wrong. Beyond that it is all up to you, practice, practice, practice. Than after all that, practice some more.

If you get a machine sometime let me know, I can come down and help you set stuff up, give you some pointers, and get you on your way.

 

I didn't know you welded Andy? TIG ? Awsome when I pick one up i'll give you a call. My teacher was surprised how well my first few aluminum welds were so maybe that's a hint......or not.

 

Yes I tig, I have done alot of IC piping for people around town. I have also built the intake and header on my car. I have done front mount end tanks, chassis, dash peices, you name it.

Do you know ExtremeDSM (Frank) from town? I have done all of his IC and front mount fab on his drag car. About two weeks ago I did his trunk floor in aluminum with a sump for his fuel cell. Fun stuff

 

i fully agree it is all about practice.

my brother is 100% self taught, and he is in the process of teaching me.

he's only 20, and has been mig'ing for 7 years, and tig'ng for 2.. he is one of the better welders i know, and it is one of his passions, thats for sure.

he studies up on machine setup, material usage, selection, etc. that, along with experience and some instruction, will work wonders.

last summer, his mig quality with steel was good. now, its 100% better, appearance-wise. its all because of practice.