I'm planning to enroll in a local community college to learn how to weld. I would love to make my own header(I'll be utilizing paid header design services either from Burns Stainless or Header by Ed) and my exhaust system. There are the course offered which would be most helpful? I have never worked with a welder.

WELD 1: GAS WELDING - This course covers basic applications in oxyacetylene welding, brazing, and cutting in all positions, including safety procedures and metal characteristics

WELD 2: GAS AND ARC WELDING - Course work includes advanced oxyacetylene welding, and basic manipulative exercises in electric welding using low alloy and mild steel materials in all positions, along with safety precautions and fire prevention.

WELD 3: SHIELD METAL ARC WELDING AND GAS METAL ARC WELDING - Students will be able to weld with SMAW on horizontal, vertical, and overhead groove, welding on different thicknesses of plates using different coated electrodes. Students will learn applications in sheet metal welding and semi-automatic gas shielded welding (GMAW).

WELD 4: GAS METAL ARC WELDING AND GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING - Students will learn the applications and principles of GMAW and GTAW (MIG and TIG) in welding aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel as well as the maintenance and operation of welding equipment.

I understand that MIG and TIG is the most well used welding tech in making header. So I was thinking of taking WELD 4. None of the classes have prerequisites.

Jay Kim

 

thats awesome. I love welding. I've been doing it for about 5 years. Its tough at first, but really cool once you got it.

 

Thanks. Which class do you think it will be most helpful? I'm guessing WELD 4.

Jay Kim

 

For what you want to do now, I would think 3. TIG is used mainly for aluminum. But honestly, I would go to the school and talk to the teacher and tell him what your goals are and I'm sure he can tell you what class to take.

 

take 4 cause mig welding is also done on cars, it might come in handy some day.

Ive taken a couple of welding classes for autobody, and man it sucks working with the gas welders. but mig welding took a while until I started figuring it out. never got the chance to do tig welding, i would love to fabricate some aluminum performance parts.

 

Alright.......if you want the headers to look good they have to be TIG'ed. The problem after the class is it is going to cost you 2 to 3 grand to get yourself set up with a decent TIG machine, like a Lincoln SquareWave 275. Once you try TIG you will love it. Total control of heat, filler, penetration. Plus its clean with no spatter. Not to mention the best structural weld quality for thin walled welding.

Anyway you cut it TIG is better ... expensive, slow .. but better. As a side benefit, if you ever have to put it on a Resume, TIG carries more weight.

Regards,
BigMoose

 

Tungsten Inert Gas, g. yeah take WELD 4. that will be the most applicable course. my friend who does all my welding cal weld a MIG bead (w/ argon hooked up) to look just like a TIG weld. hes really good and he makes a lot of money as an industrial plumber. id take 4