BenB
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| posted on 22/5/08 at 10:36 PM |
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Anyone here done @ City + Guilds welding course
Well I've finally come round to the truth that my welding sucks.
Has anyone done at C+G MIG welding course?
I'm trying to decide whether to do one of those (it's local and on my day off!) or just get a load of scrap metal and practice, practice,
practice.....
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MikeR
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| posted on 22/5/08 at 10:45 PM |
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done one years ago.
thinnest stuff we worked on was 2 or 3mm when learning for the first few weeks. After that it was all 4 or 5mm and 200+amps. Quite scary to realise
for the first time that you made 5mm steel glow red hot. Also quite painful when you forget how hot 5mm steel is when its not glowing.
I did learn a lot and its definately made me a better welder - i can spot when my welds are poo  although recently i've been doing some damned
good ones 
worth it? dunno, if you've got someone who's good at welding who'll hang around for a few hours and then keep popping back probably
not.
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stevebubs
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| posted on 22/5/08 at 11:10 PM |
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I went along to the local college (Bracknell) and they recommended I took their welding & sheet metal working class as it was more practically
focussed than their C&G one.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and they provided full access to their car workshop, too.
Also met GaryM there....
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miikae
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| posted on 22/5/08 at 11:22 PM |
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A course is always a good thing as you are taught things you would not know about if you taught yourself , but practice does make perfect so they say
, i was taught many years ago on gas and electric as part of an engineering apprentice ship with one of the top engineering companies and was really
worth while as far as i am concerned .
Mike
If it can be done it i will be done .
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mark chandler
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| posted on 22/5/08 at 11:24 PM |
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I have a friend that works at Gatwick on the planes, he was sent on a weeks intensive TIG welding course.
They sat him in front of a machine and explained the controls then he spent the next 4 1/2 days practicing!
For myself there was a point at which suddenly everything seemed to make sense, and I found it hard to produce bad welds, it just becomes intuitive
Another mate went on a gas welding course at west kent college, he had a most enjoyable time and met like minded people so there are other benefits.
Just treat it as a social night out where you learn a skill. Unless you want a qualification a practical course would be more fun I suspect.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 22/5/08 by mark chandler]
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brynhamlet
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 06:12 AM |
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many years ago I did a 6 week welding course at colledge. Taught you all the basics. Well worth doing, especially as it cost nought.
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welderman
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 06:17 AM |
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personally i would do one, you will learn alot, ive been a coded welder now for ten years or more (cant tell really though), done the city guilds etc
too.
Get the course done mate, you will have more faith in your welding 
Thank's, Joe
I don't stalk people
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/23/viewthread.php?tid=172301
Back on with the Fisher Fury R1
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BenB
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 06:49 AM |
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Sounds like I'll do it then
My welds are admittidly slowly getting better but sometimes it's luck that I hit upon the right combination of variables....
... and I really must remember to push not pull. It seems so much more tempting to push the gun....
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 08:06 AM |
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I did a couple of one-day courses at the local agricultural college - they were really intended to tempt people into signing up for a full course, but
they were hugely useful. I did stick and MIG welding, and it was enough to show me what I was supposed to be doing. Practice over the next few weeks
got me fairly close to right.
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wilkingj
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 08:07 AM |
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My welding has got a lot better since I got my TIG set.
For 40 years I have been a Solderer (work wise and at home), and used to solder in one hand and iron in the other.
The Mig I could only get right now and then, and couldnt work out what I was doing wrong.
The Tig is just Brill, and my welding went from crap to acceptable almost within a week of getting it.
For me its well worth the price of the Bottle rental.
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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MartynV
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 09:45 AM |
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Another vote in favour of doing a welding course whether for a full qualification or just a college attendance certificate as you will have the chance
to practice, get expert feedback and techniques to improve your welding.
Unfortunately many colleges have to run full cost certificated courses as the government has removed most of the funding for recreational courses that
benefitted the DIYer
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chrsgrain
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 10:28 AM |
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Just a balancing post - I did a course at the local tech college, and it was rubbish! The guy could weld but couldn't teach at all... so
I'd try and chat to someone who has been on the course before if possible.
Chris
Spoing! - the sound of an irony meter breaking...
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fesycresy
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 10:54 AM |
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My mate did a 10 year welding scholarship in the nuclear industry 
And my tank leaked the first time he made it 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 23/5/08 at 09:24 PM |
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I used to teach welding at Cornwall College in the early 90's (then called Camborne Tech). I don't think that C&G exist now.
If you want to learn enough to build your car, better to get some 1:1 tuition from someone qualified - should be able to pick up mig in a couple of
hours, its the easiest form of welding.
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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paulf
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| posted on 24/5/08 at 09:12 AM |
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The problem with doing a course is that you would be using expensive proffesional welding equipment and although the techniques are the same it is
harder to get good welds with DIY welders.I would spend the money on a better quality welder and as suggested get some one to set it up and
demonstrate the correct technique to you.
Paul.
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