New to welding.College or 5day course

[LocoRay]

Hi I posted on here the other day for the first time, got some great advice and replys, so thank you.
Anyway, think I'm going to get into MIG welding first as I'm a newbie, whats people's opinions on this?
Also looking at welding courses for beginners, do you think I'm better off going to a college to learn, or like an intense training school, which is about 5days.
I'm 26 years old, with a fiance, and little girl. I'm self employed at the minute doing single ply membrane installation on flat roofs. So if I went to college it would have to be a part time course.
Or maybe somebody on here can give me a few lessons just to see how I get on? I don't mind paying my way.
I'm currently living in Solihull (Birmingham) if this helps.
I don't mind traveling tho.
Thanks again
Ray

 

[ukracer]

Hi I posted on here the other day for the first time, got some great advice and replys, so thank you.
Anyway, think I'm going to get into MIG welding first as I'm a newbie, whats people's opinions on this?
Also looking at welding courses for beginners, do you think I'm better off going to a college to learn, or like an intense training school, which is about 5days.
I'm 26 years old, with a fiance, and little girl. I'm self employed at the minute doing single ply membrane installation on flat roofs. So if I went to college it would have to be a part time course.
Or maybe somebody on here can give me a few lessons just to see how I get on? I don't mind paying my way.
I'm currently living in Solihull (Birmingham) if this helps.
I don't mind traveling tho.
Thanks again
Ray

Close to me then

Problem is I am a hobby welder and crap at that so no good to teach anyone. You are welcome to try my machine if you are thinking about buying one.....if you already have one I am not much help.

Check out Richard on here he has been known to assist people for a few quid etc.

 

[Robotstar5]

My previous company sent the welders to MGTS in Coventry for a one week course in MIG/MAG

 

[Chris Stevens]

MIG welding as a career move is really and truly a non starter, as there are an awful lot of experienced MIG welders from places like Poland here in the UK now, and I would suggest if you want to look at a career in welding then you would want to consider TIG.

 

[HughF]

I'm self employed at the minute doing single ply membrane installation on flat roofs.

You'll probably make a load more money sticking with this instead of going for a career as production line mig monkey...

 

[Chris Stevens]

You'll probably make a load more money sticking with this instead of going for a career as production line mig monkey...

I would guess mig monkey gets paid a bit more than a shelf stacker, but certainly a lot less than a roofer. Welder/fabricator is something else entirely, but not something its possible to pick up from a college course (which is probably a waste of time in terms of foundation of a career move).

 

[HughF]

Exactly Chris... Although I'm not sure if the OP is actually considering a career move...?

 

[LocoRay]

Yes I am looking for a career move, so what would be the best route to take? An the best type of welding to get in to?
And what pays the most?
Thanks again.

 

[Richard.]

Don't worry about what pays the most, I'm assuming you are choosing a career move because you don't like what your doing now? The guys are right in the respect that many people can pick up a mig and be employed quick as a jig mig tacker,welder but like everything worth doing you have to start somewhere. Learning to mig at College is a door opener. It gets you on to the next platform of possible codings then you go onto doing flux core on pipes, structure work etc etc. Tig is a great Method to get into too and again gets you on and up the ladder starting at the bottom working up.
All 3 (GMAW/GTAW/MMA) manual forms of arc welding can lead to serious high paying jobs it's entirely up to you how far you want to progress with them. At 26 you have plenty of time to do it. You could progress down a hands on route and gather up on job experience and codings to work on specific application or you could side step down the study route and get into welding engineering, inspection,metallurgy. Lots to think about but lots of time. It all starts with what you suggest. Go and do a few college sessions in what ever welding you like and see how you get on. Good luck.

 

[LocoRay]

Don't worry about what pays the most, I'm assuming you are choosing a career move because you don't like what your doing now? The guys are right in the respect that many people can pick up a mig and be employed quick as a jig mig tacker,welder but like everything worth doing you have to start somewhere. Learning to mig at College is a door opener. It gets you on to the next platform of possible codings then you go onto doing flux core on pipes, structure work etc etc. Tig is a great Method to get into too and again gets you on and up the ladder starting at the bottom working up.
All 3 (GMAW/GTAW/MMA) manual forms of arc welding can lead to serious high paying jobs it's entirely up to you how far you want to progress with them. At 26 you have plenty of time to do it. You could progress down a hands on route and gather up on job experience and codings to work on specific application or you could side step down the study route and get into welding engineering, inspection,metallurgy. Lots to think about but lots of time. It all starts with what you suggest. Go and do a few college sessions in what ever welding you like and see how you get on. Good luck.

Cheers mate best bit of advice yet.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Don't worry about what pays the most, I'm assuming you are choosing a career move because you don't like what your doing now? The guys are right in the respect that many people can pick up a mig and be employed quick as a jig mig tacker,welder but like everything worth doing you have to start somewhere. Learning to mig at College is a door opener. It gets you on to the next platform of possible codings then you go onto doing flux core on pipes, structure work etc etc. Tig is a great Method to get into too and again gets you on and up the ladder starting at the bottom working up.
All 3 (GMAW/GTAW/MMA) manual forms of arc welding can lead to serious high paying jobs it's entirely up to you how far you want to progress with them. At 26 you have plenty of time to do it. You could progress down a hands on route and gather up on job experience and codings to work on specific application or you could side step down the study route and get into welding engineering, inspection,metallurgy. Lots to think about but lots of time. It all starts with what you suggest. Go and do a few college sessions in what ever welding you like and see how you get on. Good luck.

Are many colleges providing welding courses now? The ones close to me dont seem to provide anything much in relation to hands on practical skills now. Would have thought buying a cheap TIG set, and practice, practice, practice, is likely to be of greater value than any college course anyway, at least in the earlier stages?

 

[Richard.]

Good Q Chris I don't know. I live very close to Cambridge where there are college courses and the TWI on my doorstep but with regard to the op location its a case of look and see.
Practice with a Tig on zero welding experience might not be a great idea. I'd say at the very least needs a little 1-1 time with someone.

 

[roofman]

My old man used to tell me over 40 years ago "dont do anything any Joe soap can do at the weekends as your chosen main earner"...Matey ime sure you would be very happy welding, but really do you think it pays more than your current trade in todays economic climate?? no me neither

 

[Richard.]

Roofys sticking together. Like it

 

[roofman]

Roofys sticking together. Like it

HaHa

 

[Chris Stevens]

Good Q Chris I don't know. I live very close to Cambridge where there are college courses and the TWI on my doorstep but with regard to the op location its a case of look and see.
Practice with a Tig on zero welding experience might not be a great idea. I'd say at the very least needs a little 1-1 time with someone.

Many years ago I went on a college welding course, but as I was already fine with a Mig and gas, and reasonably ok with Tig, the main reason was to get practice time on Tig, with someone there is answer any questions regarding problems.

I felt the value of the course was limited for a beginner, as all there seemed to be at completely different levels, and this being the case 121 time with individuals was very limited.

Personally I would say the OP is wasting his time going on a Mig welding course, as this would mean lower money than he is on currently, and I would guess almost all Mig monkey employers more interested in hands on experience than college courses.

Maybe the best way forward for the OP would be to see if there is a forum member who is good enough with a Tig set to show someone else the basics, and who would be willing to provide some 121 lessons using his/her set, so the OP didnt need to buy anything costly, and could avoid college courses which might not provide what he wanted?

Obviously there would be a charge for 121 tuition, but I would guess would probably work out cheaper than college course, where it would take longer to learn less?

 

[jonesy121]

i am taking voluntary redundancy. i am pushing 57, and have no welding experience apart from 5 1 hour stints i did at my last place, 15 years ago. i have to work, and have chosen to train in mig and tig. at a welding school. paid for out of some of my redundancy money. i will take a pay cut, but it is what i beleive will help me get through to my retirement age 66. my other job is very heavy, and i beleive this is the time to move. i know i will probably have to take what i can get to start with. but hopefully in time i will get my investment back. be glad of any thoughts. but before anybody says it. if it is so crap, why are you doing it. i say this only because thats what was said to me on my last job, which afforded me the best living i have ever had. but it is time to move on, so stopping is not an optoin.