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Austin Community College ... Anyone go there?


GD85

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Brief background...currently, active-duty military looking to separate in 15 months (not that I'm counting)...

Found a strong love in metalworking by accident by building "ugly drum smokers" out of new 55 gallon drums, plumbing supplies, and Weber Grill replacement parts in an attempt to recreate the awesome smoked brisket that exhists in this area.

The illness progressed from there.

Now, i am looking at schools. The post 9/11 GI Bill is tempting. For now, what I am looking at is learning how to do structural and/or pipe welding to pay the bills (and get certified) but also gain some experience in art metal.

Austin Community College, located less than four hours away from where I am currently stationed appears to offer the best of both worlds. I enjoy reading their course descriptions, but it seems like one of those "too good to be true" deals. Has anyone here actually attended their welding program?

If so, do you have any regrets, advise etc?

Please advise.

Thank you,

-Grant

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Bill Bastas teaches their blacksmithing program and has built a very good coursework based on his personal experiences with Hofi and other master smiths. A lot of smiths have gone through ACC and come out with a good skill set to start their own business or simply expand their hobby. I do not know the welding instructor but have heard he is just as good as Bill and a student can get the skills to become certified upon graduation.

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Howdy from East TEXS!! and welcome to IFI! Bill Bastas in highly regarded the the blacksmithing community, you would do well by attending some of his classes. Don't know anything about the ACC welding dept. but what Hollis said is good enough for me! Thanks for you service and welcome once again.

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I've taken about 15 hours at ACC as leveling work for a master's program in accounting. THe course quality has been fair to good, probably about par for a community college. The University of Texas will accept all of their courses as transfers, I believe, which says something, anyway. I've been interested in their smithing courses but don't now and probably won't ever have the time to take them. All around pretty good school, at least from what I've taken. I hope it works out for you.

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All,

Thank you for the replies.

The blacksmith classes fall under the welding program apparently. I am very much interested in taking those (5 hours at a time devoted to forging?!?!?! SWEET!). I should have mentioned in the original post that, while no expert (or even seasoned amateur) I do have some experience in forging, fabrication, MIG welding, copper repousse etc from the last six months.

All learned trial and error type skills coupled with being fortunate enough to view IFI, anvilfire, and a few books. I wouldn't trust anyones life on my electric welds, or sleep well at night charging what skilled smiths deserve to on my commissioned blacksmith work (mostly custom branding irons) but the heart and desire to improve burns deeply within.

It reassures me knowing that the University of TX accepts their courses as transfers even though I do not plan on working towards an academic degree. It also speaks volumes knowing that Mr.Bastas has a good reputation on this board, as on the internet it is much easier to anonymously bash a person than to praise.

I look forward to the next chapter in my life very much.

Blacksmithing, welding, and metalworking have brought so much peace, sanity, and a sense of accomplishment to my present life. I cannot imagine how much better things will be when the bread-winning hours are devoted to smartly and creatively applying these skills.

-Grant

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Grant... Welcome to IFI and Blacksmithing.
I followed the same path that you are getting ready to take. I started welding, found it satisfying in that I could look back at the end of the day and know that I made something that mattered. I went full time to a welding school, got several certifications and went from there. I am now a full time blacksmith just north of Fort Worth Texas. If ever you are in the Decatur Texas area, please call and stop by the shop. I have a full set of blacksmithing tools and my shop is always open to people who are interested in blacksmithing.
James

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Thanks again for the invites, will certainly visit some time.

I will be posting some pictures tonight or tomorrow. Unfortunately I do not have time this lunch break to post them but i did manage to get a few shots. We found our USB cord for the camara (which will be flying with my wife to Ohio tonight for a few days but i did manage to snap some of my shop and a very small amount of my work.

Good morning.

I posted some pics of my work here:
http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/pics-my-work-smithy-alarm-sytem-etc-12786/

Also, there are a few more in my gallery:
GD85 Gallery - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

More to be added soon as the camara is back.

Take care, I'm off to the scrapyard! Then back to work on an outdoor fireset for my parents.

-Grant

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