If I wanted to learn to weld...
Turbo Mini Forums

Im intersted in learning and sure it will come in useful. Do you guys think a course like this would be suitable for a novice like me, bearing in mind i intend on using the skill (or lack of in my case) for my mini.



Id much rather learn and do the work myself than pay for someone else...

cheers

Me and john did a motor vehicle body evening class for 6 months. it was well worth the £90 or so.

The course may well be good but there is a fair number of issues to cover in 20hours. Just my thoughts but a bit playing about with scrap metal after a bit of tuition from someone who can weld may well be all you need. The courses may be better for making repair panels etc.

i think both would be good for learning, ive learnt from a combination of things, my carpentry skills really help making and cutting panels, but welding ive just learnt from messing around at work on agriculteral and then adapted it to tinwork. i think whichever way you learn its only the practise that makes perfect

well since I dont know anyone that welds I decided I would go with the course. I just wanted to guage an idea for whether this course is useful.

Ill probably start the january course and see how it goes, maybe move onto the intermediate one afterwards.

thanks for the feedback

how much is the course?

your lucky the two collages in swindon dont do welding

As I have found to my cost, a good welder needs a good welder. Don't scrimp when purchasing a unit. The greater degree of control you have will make the job easier and less frustrating. I have 4 power settings (on switches) and wire speed and it can take a lot of pissing about the find the correct settings combination. A dial for power like the wire speed will be on my wish list for my next one.

Edited by shellspeed on 23rd Oct, 2012.

cheers for the input. The course is £400 so that covers 10 weeks / 20 hours. I figure £20 an hour for learning and having all materials and tools supplied isnt too bad?

Personally I would spend the £400 on a decent welder and equipment, and then get some steel and start practising. Lots of info out there on the net, you tube videos, etc.

thats a fair amount of cash; The course topics are not all just on mig welding (assuming that is what you ideally want to learn) and so the time spent on each element of the course will reduce the amout of practical time you are going to get on the chosen subject - 2 hours a session?

I'd echo Toms comments - your money could be better spent on a half decent welder.

Edited by Rob Gavin on 23rd Oct, 2012.

Bearing in mind you say you want it to help you with your Mini, I would say no.

Reading the details it's far to general covering many various techniques (except TIG which is a major omission IMO) so only a small part about MIG.

If you could find a car body course (like Andy/John mentioned) it would be much better value.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

I would put the 400 quid toward a good welder as well. The newer pulse migs weld pretty close to TIG quality and you can use it on aluminium as well but they are not cheap.

That sir, is not rust, it is the progressive mass reduction system

http://aseriesmodifications.wordpress.com/