The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Old Dominion Stovebolt Society (MD, VA, West VA, DC, DE and PA) Welding School

Hi everybody. I need to learn to weld and have been looking for a votech or community college class in welding, but can't find one. Does anyone know of a welding class for adults that is in the greater Fredericksburg area? If so, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll have to just teach myself and practice on some scrap before heading to the truck.

Thanks,

You and me both. I have been meaning to get enough free time to get a good lesson or six. Also looked into Votech, but no luck and the local community college offers a professional welding course. Too much welding and too much money. I am no help.

I have had a few brief discussions with Grigg on doing something. Have not ever put a lot of thought into it. Although with him hosting the other event in July it may be a lot to tackle.

Don't buy a cheap welder. My son, recently, 1-2 years ago, graduated from Tulsa welding school and the instrctor told them never to buy anything less than a 180Amp mig. Anything less and they would be dissapointed. I proved that correct and went through 3-4 cheap welders b-4 I learned. Sheet metal like on these trucks require at least a 130Amp mig to weld. After using 3 cheap welders I borrowed one from a friend and it worked. (130Amps) Then I bite the bullet and buy a Lincoln 180Amp mig. Best thing I ever did. It works great especially for a beginner because u are starting with the right equipment. Just get a good welder and practice. It's alot like painting. You just "read" what it's doing and adjust accordingly. Any welder will tell u PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE!!!

I was schooled in the adult ed dept of the Mont. co school system it was a gas class, then a stick class, I asked the instructors for a TIG class and they said to sign up for the next gas class and they would work with me on the TIG machine, It was great stuff almost one to one ratio!,, I later bought a Miller Synrowave 250, and a Millermatic 150 mig,, very happy with both machines along with Youtube and this guy you can learn a great deal http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/index.html

sheet metal is all that different due to heat and distortion, some time and paitence and some hammer and dolly work too

That's a great welding site, thanks for sharing!

Mike B

When welding thin sheet metal there is a product called Heat Fence it works really great too. You can get this product at any quality welding shop that handles all types of welding supplies. You put it along where you are going to weld and it draws off the heat from the weld. If you are Tig or Mig Welding the secret is to spot weld together and move around to different spots so the heat dissipates.
when you get it tacked all together make small welds 3/4" to 1" long them move to another spot and do the same thing.
62Blue
Don