At wentworth college in Boston they have a couple of welding classes. Welding 101 is 2 nights a week for 15 weeks. Each class is 3.5 hours long. This 101 class is the prerequisite for the other two classes they have.
Course desciption:
"The fundamentals and essentials of shielded metal arc welding and oxyacetylene gas welding are covered. Students weld all the common joint configurations in the flat and horizontal positions. Each student welds and tests a guided bend specimen according to American Welding Society structural code. Welding theory, brazing, and braze welding are also discussed. In oxyacetylene welding, typical weld joints are fusion welded in guage thickness material. Standard practices are followed in the fabrication of a pressure vessel, which is hydrostatically tested in excess of 2000 lbs per square inch. Both hand and machine cutting of ferrous metals are demonstrated."

Sounds like a great class to learn a lot in but it's $1050.00
It appears that they are the only welding instruction class in town. I say that because I've been looking and haven't found anything else, as well, when I called about registration I was told that the class fills up quickly because there are no other welding instruction courses in the area.

For that much money I could buy a welder, a "how to" book, supplies and scrap metal and just practice in the driveway.

Can some of you welders out there give me an experienced opinion?

Thanks for your input,
--jeremy

Well,

Good instruction from an experienced welder is definetely a good thing, but for over a grand?...Hmmm...

I took a night class on welding through a local high school, and the instructor was excellent. I learned quite a bit. But the class was offered merely as a community service. The cost was only $25.00 per person.

I guess you need to consider your motive for learning to weld. If you ever plan to weld as part or whole of an occupation, then fork over the dough and take the classes. If you just want to learn to weld so you can handle your own projects, You're better off buying the welder and supplies like you suggested, and learning on your own. If you do decide to go that route, however, I would advise you to find a friend who already knows how to weld to help you get started.

Good luck!

Matt.

I was really hoping to find a class that would cover the basics in a few night classes. 105 hours of class seems a little excessive for my limited need for the skill and limited finances. I would sign up today if I had the ca$h.

Still after all the time and money I'd have no welder to practice with.

Find a welding supply shop and explain your situation and ask them where you can learn to weld.

I learned by the buy a welder and have at it method, hindsite being 20/20 I should have taken the classes 14 years ago and spent a bit more money on good equipment to start with. I'm now (for the 18 months)certified in "structural, overhead, automotive mig welding"
I'm a fabricator at a 4x4 shop in Englewood.

The biggest leaps in technique and quality have come from watching other welders weld. Learning about metals, should come from a teacher and books not trial and error.

Go to a welding shop and ask the manager if you can simply watch their welders weld? Bring your own hood and don't get in the way or even ask a bunch of questions. Watching should get you tons of info.

If you get a quality welder (only 220 units need apply) under the lid where you install the wire is a chart for heat settings and wire speeds for multiple steel thicknesses for given wire thickness. Going by these settings will get you started with the least hassles.

I just bought a Miller 210 and love it, we have 2 of these same units at work. I like the ability to do Aluminum mig welding with it, the boss just let me borrow the spool gun for the weekend I'll let you know how it works on some aluminium.

Get a quality welder. No 110v units.

SD

The classes I took were definitely worth it. Being able to ask what you are doing wrong (or what you can do better) makes one heck of a difference over just trying different things until it works. I had done some welding over the course of a couple years before the class and within the first couple weeks of the class really saw an improvement in my skills.

That said, $1K is a lot of money. I'd second the idea of approaching a local welding firm and talking to them about the situation. I'd even take it a step further. Ask if you could spend some time watching and then ask what he would want for an hour of instruction. Liability issues may be a concern with actually letting you use his equipment, but even if he spent an hour welding and explaining to you what he was doing and why while you asked questions would be worth it.

Sounds like a good idea. There is a welding shop around the corner. hmmm

Where's this welding shop you speak of?
I had been searching for a welding class too, but looks like your find might be close to the only one around these parts.
Let us (me) know what comes out of this venture. I'd be interested in getting some basic instruction too.
Thanks!
Todd

In my opinion I believe that the classes are well worth it. The $ is a bit much but it does pay for the material and the instructor. I took many courses through a city college at 13 bucks a unit. One basic class with books is a bill or maybe 2. You will learn the things that will make the difference between sticking it together with chewing gum and full on x-ray tested, root face bent, molecularly consistant piece of steel.

Like said before it might look good on the outside, but it might not have the fusion to bind the metal. I know that welding courses are becomming more and more scare here in Cali so I am sure it is there too. Trade schools, CCs, and some extension programs have the classes.

Good idea about askin around. Give the guy a 12 pack each session and I dont think he'd complain <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I'm in the same boat as you, so I was just wondering if you found anything yet or made any progress? I live in North Chelmsford and the only thing I've been able to find is the classes at Greater Lowell Tech ( http://www.gltech.mec.edu/adulted/education.html). They're priced about right but unfortunately they ended already and won't start up again till september. Yesterday I went to the Welding shop by my house and he just told me about some Lowell vocational classes. I didn't ask about watching, maybe I will next time, but I'd like to get a welder before I do that so I could practice after seeing what they do.

P.S. Where can you go to off-road in the MA/NH/RI area? The only place I know of is in Brookline, NH.