Total beginner looking for a course

[chrisf1]

Hi everyone I have never welded anything in my life I have quite a lot of hands on experience with oxy-propane cutting but I would think anyone could do that and I have not been near it for 30 years. I am now medically retired and suffering from terminal boredom, I have a workshop adjoined to my house and often indulge in projects some of which I actually complete to a reasonable standard, but welding has always been a thing I have had to pay for consequently I am here. I am situated in North Kent Medway and have found a company by the name of I.P.S. situated on Medway City Estate and another centre in Dover who offer a 2 day course I wonder if anyone can give me any feedback on them as they have not returned my call or email which does not seem a very good start. I am looking for a course reasonably local to me 30 miles or so I really don't need paperwork I just wish to be able to do it. Any advice gratefully received thanks Chris

 

[cazl1994]

just get one of your local fourm members to give you a crash course for some beer money if you dont need papers

 

[chrisf1]

Anyone up for it Chris

 

[cazl1994]

id do it but to far

 

[toddy]

i would do it,
what sort of welding do you want to learn, i only have a mma welding set and all the gear.
but i can do all the different types of welding and im sure i can teach you how to.

oh and at the mo i dont have a working car(soon i hope) and i only have a small 10x13" shed that we can weld in.
but if you want to, come on up

 

[chrisf1]

Hi Toddy you are very close to me I am in Allhallows but I do not as yet have a MIG welder I want to try before I buy so to speak I am looking for a welder because obviously I will have to get one but if you have any suggestions let me know I will pm you my numbers and maybe we can speak or go from there thanks Chris

 

[toddy]

well as for buying a welder, what do you want to weld? and i would go for gas defo
and what is the max you want to pay

 

[chrisf1]

At the moment insufficient funds but I am looking at a portamig from weldequip I am a great believer in if I am getting an item, get a proper one. I have located a source for rent free argonmix. My welding will be light fabrication and auto repair. I have been looking at the secondhand market eBay etc but not seen anything of quality at a sensible enough price to excite me, Chris

 

[toddy]

well your welcome to come over here and i will teach you how to stick weld.
but you will have to bring some scrap steel to play with.

 

[chrisf1]

Hi again toddy thanks for the offer but I dont realy think I will have a use for stick welding but if I should get a mig before I have learnt I will definitely contact you if that is OK with you Thanks Chris