Welding courses.... worthwhile or not?

[Marc.]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this thread, i have already introduced myself in the other room and already I feel very welcome!....Anyhow guys, here goes:

After my research on here, i have decided which tig welder i wish to purchase and I wanted to ask you guys on here about certain qualifications you can gain along the way in regards to TIG welding. I live near Ipswich, suffolk and I enquired about a welding course at West suffolk College (AC/DC), from which i could attain a level 1 City & Guilds 3268. The course has already started back in september and i missed the boat so to speak but they rang me to see if i wished to join in (albeit a bit late now), but they still want the full fee for the course.

I'm not sure if there are any courses at colchester institute or lowestoft still? Anyway... until i know what course to look for i dont know were to go!

Is this a complete waste of time and money or would i be better off having a bit of practice with the tig when i get it and go for a level 2 city and guilds that starts next september? Or is the C&G qualification a complete waste of time? In the future i am looking to gain coded qualifications, but what is the right step forward?

I apologise in advance if i have put this up in the wrong room but i just thought it would be great to hear some different opinions.

Many thanks,

Marc

 

[Engineer1964]

City and guilds is the way to go, They are industry standard qualifications, so do that if you can. Codings are not qualifications, You can do a coding in an afternoon for about £150, and all that shows is that your competent in a particular welding procedure, like 10mm Fillet with mig, Which is a lot more different than 10mm Fillet with MMA (Stick)

Codings are generally for experienced Welders, to prove that they are capable of doing a particular weld with a particular Machine. Its not a qualification at all.

Hope that helps to clarify things, if you can start with C&G's then that will last you a lifetime, Codings only last 2 years

 

[hotrodder]

As said course is definately worthwhile... you'll learn more, faster with some one on one time. Dunno how much the course costs or how many hours/week so can't really comment on whether full price when you've missed 6 weeks is fair. They chased you though... maybe some negotiation could get the fee adjusted pro rata? C&G is a lifetime qualification, welding codes are job specific certs that expire in a couple of years unless you're working to that specific code on a regular basis so that there's evidence you're still producing the goods- note that 'the goods' isn't necessarily higher quality welding, it's as much about insurance as anything else really... engineers do their thing, a welding procedure is devolped and qualified (read, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance etc) and then welders are tested/qualified to that welding procedure. Sometimes it can be so basic it's a formality, other times it isn't- restricted access, exotic alloys etc

Granted level 1 is pretty basic but I would have thought that acceptance onto C&G level 2 would be dependant on having level 1 OR showing that you have the sufficient knowledge & experience to skip it

 

[Marc.]

Hi, thanks for your guidance guys. The course would have been for level 1 and would cost £775 which is what they charge for a whole year of evening classes! Not only that but i would have to change my working day too as i currently work on thursday evenings when the course is in progress. After looking at your comments, and the fact that i will hopefully have my very own tig soon then i think i will put the money into gas etc for practicing and teaching myself before hopefully doing the level 2 c&g next year hopefully?

Thanks for your time!

Marc

 

[Bobbyspit]

I bought my Tig a few months ago, I booked onto a 10 week course that comes to an end next week, superb thing to do and one that has helped me no end, Steel now no problem and alloy is going well.
Save you money in materials and gas!!
Rob

 

[J_K]

I'd say, don;t try to do a C&G course right off.
Just do a 10 week evening class then get in the garage and practise.
What you will learn by having someone else watch you while you try to weld and then point out where you are going wrong, will take weeks and weeks to self learn. And the frustration might put you off.

 

[Hugh Jass]

An evening course is a good idea.
Is there a member on here near to you that lives close by that could watch you and give you hints and tips? Maybe a case of beer or a bottle of whisky might help you find someone.
If you learn the basics you can practice on your own and be good.

 

[Marc.]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in replying to your ideas, i have been rather busy of late. I would just like to say thanks for your suggestions and i have noted all of the advice. I can see what your saying, rather than wasting my gas and other consumables when i get the TIG! I just wished that the courses around here were a better value as £775 for half of the remaining course seemed expensive to me. Not sure about anyone being local as i live Near framlingham in suffolk and i think the agerage age of people here seems to be around the 80 mark!

My welder should be here before the end of the week, i have been offered to take the machine for a demo and a few tips and hints to help me get stared but that would mean a 400 mile round trip to do so.

Else, if anyone is local there could be a good supply of coffee and bickies if your brave enough...oh... and a ride in my 72 bullnose firebird too if it would sweeten the deal?

Marc

 

[xhead]

I'd say, don;t try to do a C&G course right off.
Just do a 10 week evening class then get in the garage and practise.
What you will learn by having someone else watch you while you try to weld and then point out where you are going wrong, will take weeks and weeks to self learn. And the frustration might put you off.

I think our local City college does a 15 week C&G 1 evening class for abour £450. (Plymouth)

 

[Mr_Caine]

I did c&g evening class for mig and worthwhile although it was a bit long it helped no end and got a certain thinking about doing tig. The price you mention seems very expensive though.

 

[chunkolini]

Marc, you are playing a dangerous game, messing with forces beyond your control.
Dont do it, remember the song by The Grange Hill mob 'Just Say No'. They were right.
What is this idiot talking about?

Thirteen years ago I was bored and needed a new hobby. I was like a caged animal in the house.Wifey sent me on a twelve week night class in gas welding to get me out of the way.
Wrecked my life.
I used to be a responsible social worker, one dabble in welding sent me on the path of no return.
The feeling of power was like nothing else.
I started dabbling, bought my own gear. I was hooked.
Made a few bits of so called sculpture.
It took over my life, I could not think straight.
Five years later I packed in a twenty year career, my dabbling had become a serious habit out of control, it had taken over.
My family and friends thought I had flipped.
Six years I am still making a living working as a sculptor.
Bonkers.
Never been happier and cant believe what has happened to me.
Be careful. Your secure life is in danger.
Chunko'.

 

[J_K]

I think our local City college does a 15 week C&G 1 evening class for abour £450. (Plymouth)

Thats a bargain for a recognised qualification.

My 10 week "this is how you do it course" was £180..

 

[Marc.]

Marc, you are playing a dangerous game, messing with forces beyond your control.
Dont do it, remember the song by The Grange Hill mob 'Just Say No'. They were right.
What is this idiot talking about?

Thirteen years ago I was bored and needed a new hobby. I was like a caged animal in the house.Wifey sent me on a twelve week night class in gas welding to get me out of the way.
Wrecked my life.
I used to be a responsible social worker, one dabble in welding sent me on the path of no return.
The feeling of power was like nothing else.
I started dabbling, bought my own gear. I was hooked.
Made a few bits of so called sculpture.
It took over my life, I could not think straight.
Five years later I packed in a twenty year career, my dabbling had become a serious habit out of control, it had taken over.
My family and friends thought I had flipped.
Six years I am still making a living working as a sculptor.
Bonkers.
Never been happier and cant believe what has happened to me.
Be careful. Your secure life is in danger.
Chunko'.

Oh dear.......Its too late! I got some gas at the weekend and finally got a chance to plug in the shiny Lorch T220 and have a whirl! Ok, I may have cheated as i had a tinker about at Arc welding with it over the weekend ... But my goodness, what a lovely quiet machine! Did quite a few practice stuff to get used to the feel and control of the torch etc and i think that i will be very happy to practice for a few hours!

I haven't a clue if i am doing the right or wrong thing with it but i am trying to get used to the way the metal reacts and controlling the weld pool......ooooo, cant wait until tomorrow when i can give it another blast! I had better get some more practice in as if not i will end up having to Mig the repairs onto my discovery boot floor rather than Tigging!

I'll let you know how i get on... as for the courses, i will give a level 2 a go next season me thinks... thanks for all of your input so far guys......

Marc

 

[Artstu]

Thats a bargain for a recognised qualification.

My 10 week "this is how you do it course" was £180..

Just for reference my level one 10 week 40 hr course cost me £85 for materials, the actual course fee of around £95 (around there) was waived because I'm on ESA.

 

[clv101]

Just for reference my level one 10 week 40 hr course cost me £85 for materials, the actual course fee of around £95 (around there) was waived because I'm on ESA.

Where and when was this? I'm not seeing any courses at those kinds of prices.

 

[shanco73]

I am part through a 12 weeke welding course at Bracknell and Wokingham collage, it is ace, I have been MIG welding badly for ages now and after 3 sessions at collage have improved hugely so far, I have done braising, tig and mig the course was only 200 quid, and the instructors are proper characters, Mike n Geoff not spring chickens but time served and quallified engineers, they know their stuff. Well worth it for me.

 

[Artstu]

Where and when was this? I'm not seeing any courses at those kinds of prices.

It's here http://www.aqua.bham.org.uk/derbysh...))/CourseDetails.aspx?csesid=142202&grpsid=39