Hi All -
Thought I would give a quick (unsolicited) mention for Dave and the guys at Allied Welding where I did a (one day) starter welding course yesterday.
I usually learn best by just working things out for myself but the more I read about welding the more I realise how much there is to it and I do like to understand things properly, so figured a day in the company of someone who knows their stuff, and a good machine and a plentiful supply of plate to experiment on, would be a good leg-up onto the first rung.
So, a really good enjoyable day. 10.00 - 16.30, five of us on the course, either complete beginners or "done a bit but really need to improve so I can do X Y Z". Dave provided a really nice balance of structure and informality, a mix of 15-minute demos to the group, with some suggestions on what to try, and then each of us retiring to our own little booth to play. Plenty on safety and process, but lots of freedom within that to go back and try something again to get a better line, or try different settings. Dave would wander around giving comments and advice. Stick in the morning, MIG in the afternoon. Given I'd never held a torch before yesterday, I definitely learned a lot. I know I only scratched the surface but it's all about that first baby step, isn't it.
If anyone feels like critiquing, here's one of my more presentable MMA lines (butt joint) :
Bit of slag still needs to come off there. And here's MIG :
Comments welcome, and as ever, thanks for all the advice here which has been instrumental in helping me start to understand this complex technology and industry.
Now there's that conversation with SWMBO about purchase of some kit...
Richard
Thought I would give a quick (unsolicited) mention for Dave and the guys at Allied Welding where I did a (one day) starter welding course yesterday.
I usually learn best by just working things out for myself but the more I read about welding the more I realise how much there is to it and I do like to understand things properly, so figured a day in the company of someone who knows their stuff, and a good machine and a plentiful supply of plate to experiment on, would be a good leg-up onto the first rung.
So, a really good enjoyable day. 10.00 - 16.30, five of us on the course, either complete beginners or "done a bit but really need to improve so I can do X Y Z". Dave provided a really nice balance of structure and informality, a mix of 15-minute demos to the group, with some suggestions on what to try, and then each of us retiring to our own little booth to play. Plenty on safety and process, but lots of freedom within that to go back and try something again to get a better line, or try different settings. Dave would wander around giving comments and advice. Stick in the morning, MIG in the afternoon. Given I'd never held a torch before yesterday, I definitely learned a lot. I know I only scratched the surface but it's all about that first baby step, isn't it.
If anyone feels like critiquing, here's one of my more presentable MMA lines (butt joint) :
Bit of slag still needs to come off there. And here's MIG :
Comments welcome, and as ever, thanks for all the advice here which has been instrumental in helping me start to understand this complex technology and industry.
Now there's that conversation with SWMBO about purchase of some kit...
Richard