ytuyuty Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Interested in blacksmithing, but want to get some basic welding skills first. All of the welding classes in my area seem to be 2-year or 900-hour welding programs. This includes technical schools, adult education facilities, etc. How do you go about getting some basic instruction? I am not interested in 900 hours of instruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Miller's website, as well as Lincolns site both have great instructionals. If you buy an entry level welder like a Millermatic 211 it will come with a "how to DVD". Really, basic welding isn't that hard. I believe there's also a "Welding 101" here on IFI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 You do not have to weld to start blacksmithing. In fact you can start both at the same time.(grin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Ask about any intro or art/sculpture classes. In NC, we offer a Basic Welding class that is used as an elective to the folks in the Autobody, Heavy Equipment, Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC programs. Flat position MIG, Stick, plus Oxy-Acetylene cutting, brazing and soldering. We get lots of hobbyists who want to go down to the big box store and get a home unit, but are afraid of the risks. They walk out confident that they can pick the right toy tool and operate it safely. There is also a Professional Craft Sculpture 112, that is the same catalog description as Welding 112, but taught in an Art Studio, and not a Lab. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Some welding supply places will give classes in the basics. Not saying yours will, but even if they don't, they might point you in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L Smith Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Try a junior college. Little more laid back, and it was fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Depending on what you want to learn, it's possible to do it on your own with a bit of help from guys online. Weldingweb for example has a lot of guys who are more than happy to help guys learn the basics. There are several members here who also post there. I'd be happy to give you pointers either here or over there. I help teach basic mig, tig and stick at one of the local technical high schools in their night program. I've helped a lot of guys over on WW improve their skills or get started. It's not the easiest way to learn, but it is doable, at least to the point where you can reasonably stick metal together for noncritical projects blacksmiths usually need to do. At least around here, almost all the technical high schools offer single semester classes in welding at night. Most are geared towards either giving guys the basics so they can move up at work, or towards the hobbyist who wants to learn. When you add up what materials, rod, gas electric and so on would cost, not to mention the equipment and instruction, the class is stupid cheap. Where I help out at, it breaks down to about $11.50 an hour and you get to use all the materials you want in class. As mentioned the schools night auto body class also can cover some welding, as does classes at the local community college in some of their art and sculpture classes ( they also offer foundry and casting in the sculpture department...) You may not be finding what you are looking for simply because you aren't looking in the right "place". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 From the BridgeValley 2014-2015 catalog, Charleston, WV. If WV has a Common Course Curriculum the way most states do, you should be able to find these classes anywhere. WLDT-101 INTRODUCTION TO WELDING PROCESSES – PART I A basic welding course for the non-welding student. Introductory topics include: basic construction safety requirements, common hand tool usage, common power tool usage, basic oxyfuel, plasma & carbon arc cutting, gouging procedures, a focus on basic SMAW/stick usage and an introduction to GMAW/MIG. Credit Hours: 3 WLDT-102 INTRODUCTION TO WELDING PROCESSES – PART II Pre-requisite(s): WLDT-101 or instructor permission A continuation of WLDT-101. Topics include enhanced coverage of the SMAW/stick and GMAW/MIG processes with an introduction to the GTAW/TIG process. Credit Hours: 3 PS: Did you know that you can get a degree in Blasting Technology? College credit for blowing stuff up! Only in West ByGawd Virginia! I get the vapors just thinking about it. I think that I shall have to lie down. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I get the vapors just thinking about it. I think that I shall have to lie down. :) I thought, just like smallbpox, we defeated the vapors back in the '30s. Hopefully it's not on the comeback. I learned the common cure was to sit down. If you have to lie down it might have evolved (apologies to those who don't believe) into a more severe bug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thanks for the data The local junior colleges, vocal and technical colleges, etc. all over 2-year or 900-hour courses. Charleston in more than 2 hours away. Will have to go the DIY route. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Being as how you are from West Virginia,,,add a city or county to your location to get better information from your area. Annual Fall Conference at Cedar Lakes Park (near Ripley, WV) Weekend, October 11-12, 2014 [DATE NOT CONFIRMED YET] A quick search turned up the following classes Hoffmans Forge, LLC Ambridge, PA Ripley, West Virginia Elkins, WV Waverly, WV Beckley, WV There are several blacksmiths in WV that offer individual instructions. If your near the border, there are classes in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio that may be close enough to be of interest. If you want to jump start blacksmithing in a big way, contact Frank Turley, Brian Brazeal, Jim Hoffman, and others that hold regular classes. Think of it as a vacation to get an education. And do not forget SOFA in Troy Ohio toward the middle of September. Make the trip and take cash. They will have most anything you will need in blacksmithing tools and equipment as well as blacksmithing demos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thanks Glenn. A review of many of the above classes that you list reveals that the classes and/or programs do not exist anymore (Elkins, Waverly, Beckley, etc). I spent a few hours yesterday looking into many of the classes listed on the ABA website.The classes in PA are 2-3 hours away. The Cedar Lakes event looks promising but there is almost no information available yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Now that we have a location ,,, Dylan Colling, currently Lecturer and Sculpture Program Coordinator in the School of Art and Design at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. Yes the city you live in and can put you in touch with others in your area. Tell him IForgeIron sent you.. Check your PM. I sent names and cities that you may want to contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks for all of the help! I got in touch with West Virginia University, where I can get individual instruction in welding through the art department. I also learned about Touchstone Center for Crafts, just northwest of Morgantown (in SW Pennsylvania) that has an extensive blacksmith program and facility. http://touchstonecrafts.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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