Learning how to weld

[ShredLikeRed]

Hey ya'll,
I would like to learn how to weld. I have no experience, but would like to be able to weld some projects (i.e. pipe and cable fencing, and possibly replacement bumper/grill guard). I was looking at the welding classes offered by the local community college, but it's like reading chinese. Could ya'll experienced welders lokk at the list of courses, and tell me which one(s) would give me some basic instruction/experience?
Here's the link to the list of welding courses offered:
http://www.nctc.edu/LifelongLearning...ngCourses.aspx
Thanks

[tallnhairy]

Personally, I would just start with the basic courses, ie: 1007, 1004, and 1009 then work my way up from there. The advanced classes will get you into areas like different metals and angles/overhead, etc. that will just confuse most beginners. IMHO though, there's no substitute for making sparks. There are a ton of videos on youtube to get you started, especially if you go with a basic stick or wire welder, which can be found used at good prices. A good rule of thumb is, a good welder can still weld with a crappy machine, but a good machine won't make you a better welder.

[txbowkill]

Welding metal together isn't a hard thing to do. I mean like the basics. Find someone with a rig and have them show you and go from there. Perfecting it is a whole nother story and I'm sure those classes will help, goodluck

[equin]

I took an intro to welding class at the local community college in Dallas (Mt. View Community College off Illinois) and loved it. The class had every type of welder available to learn on - stick, MIG, TIG, oxy-acetylene, and a plasma cutter, chop saws, grinders, work benches, etc. I took a few semesters and would've continued to take more, but the classes kept getting bigger with more students, which meant less time and more waiting for machines. Either way, I learned a lot and am glad I took those classes. They teach a lot of safety which you might not learn if you tried to learn on your own. Another thing they teach is how to weld properly. A weld may look good on the surface, but an experienced instructor will teach you that even though it may look good that doesn't mean you got the proper fusion.

MIG was easier for me to start with, but once I got the hang of stick, I was able to get better welds with stick than with MIG, with the exception of tubing, which I never could master with stick.