I want to be a better weldor (not welder, that's the machine)

I learned to weld from my father on an old jukebox-shaped stick welder.  He was a farmer, so his welding was more about ugly-tacking some broken brush hog part back together... so, basically I wasn't taught how to weld.  I own a welder and I can weld.  I know the basics.

I want to be really good at it.

What do I look for in a welding class?  I don't intend on working in the industry, but I want to be able to weld in a new section of frame and know it won't fall apart on the first speed bump, or weld some aluminum framing for something in theater and know that it won't kill actors because it might fall apart.  I don't need any welding certification, but wouldn't mind it if a certain acronym means I'll definitely be learning what I need to learn and be "right."

Like learning to SCUBA dive.  I could buy the stuff and have my friend teach me how not to die underwater, but I'd rather have PADI-OW certification so I know I had the right education, if you catch my drift.

Cheap fun and learning is welding classes at the local community college or tech school. I had good luck with that, myself. Stick, Tig, Wire, Flux Core, Oxy-Acetylene, plus some more exotic toys.

Nearest tech school will most likely have adult classes. Here it's 2, 9 week semesters with classes two evenings a week. First semester Arc and Oxy acetylene, second semester mig, with an additional tig class available.

Or the community college with continuing education or whatever yours calls it. 

I think finding a class schedule that meshes your work schedule may be the tricky part. At least around here the classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 or 7-10

I Did only one semester at the local Tech School / Community College. - Best $400 I have spent on education for my metal addiction.

The first 18 weeks was just stick welding with different  types of Rod. Basically in the flat position, no vertical or overhead.. but It gets you a book, and lots of time to burn rod with a Pro helping you out, that pro is available at your beck and call to help show / train you with what a video / textbook cannot. 

Because I had Basic Stick Welding skills when I began the course the instructor allowed me to work at my own pace and get done with the required coursework in 9 weeks.- - the remaining 9 weeks I was able to focus on what I really wanted to work on Tig welding and Tig Welding Aluminum...

Call around to your county's workforce devolvement office and they can get you pointed to the school in your county or area that has a welding program.

Greg

Your nearest community college may even have a dyno for sale. 

Take a look at AWS (American Welding Society).  

Sidenote re  "I want to be a better weldor (not welder, that's the machine)" - AWS usage is different.  They say "welder" for the person.    

Weld.com on YouTube has a ton of really good instructional videos with a "in the lab with a teacher" feel. Check em out.

Purchase decent gear before you start. Since you have your mind made up that you are going to do this, go buy a decent "auto-darkening" helmet, gloves, sleeves and a light weight jacket. You will have these basically forever if you buy decent stuff. 
 

If you want to take another drive up the Wilkes-Barre way and spend a day, there's always a rollcage in-process at the shop. You are more than welcome to hang out, ask questions and spend time sticking metal scraps together. Playing with a basic MIG machine will get you the fastest results once you learn the theory and basic machine settings. I would suggest becoming proficient attempting to weld mild steel. Aluminum is considerably more difficult depending on thickness of materials. Lots of guys like starting off with oxy/acetylene tanks and learning how to braze and gas weld. It's an easier transition to TIG from that point.

The local college should have night classes for all different levels of experience. 

Just do it.

Keep doing it till it looks good, then do it more till it feels good, then beat it apart and find your flaws. 

Repeat till you find confidence, bask in the afterglow. 

my welding class was aimed at people going to work on an oil pipeline , 

you would arc weld 2 pieces of 16 inch pipe together , then cut it apart and check how good your weld was for  penetration and that there was no slag  or voids in the weld , 

Then we did Tig welding  or wire welding , 

this was at a night school  that was a highschool trade school in the daytime.

You can't get a degree in welding from Harvard.  Local community college is my recommendation.  Once you have the basics mastered, practice, and watch other welders who are masters at the craft.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

The thread title cracks me up every time I see it. My brain reads it as "well-door"

I have decent gear.  240v MIG, 120v MIG/fluxcore, plasma cutter, stick welder, adjustable auto helmet... and I've done plenty of welding, some with success, some not so much.  Put it this way - I don't think I would weld my own receiver hitch, but almost.  

I tried MIG-ing some aluminum with disatrous results, but in fairness I was using a spool stinger and mixed gas instead of straight Argon

The longer story is, I know about heat penetration and I know a little about metallurgy.  I want the more formal instruction before I tack together a flying scenic wall in the theater only to have it break and send a chunk of steel through someone's brain.  Stuff like when to choose certain wire diameters, how to TIG, how to weld aluminum and other alloys.

I have been a hobbyist welder for 30 years and I'm not getting any better.  Time for real instruction.

My two local community colleges offer welding as a two semester certification.  I was hoping for something more intensive.  It's every Saturday for one hour so they really drag it out.  More research.

Ah!  So you do want the Harvard welding class! 

https://waterwelders.com/best-welding-schools/

https://www.welderinstitute.com/

WTTI Allentown?  I'm sure you're already aware they exist.

I was going to say HACC is probably your best bet in terms of cost/convenience, but it sounds like they must have changed the curriculum since I last looked. Thought it used to be a 3-4 hour class once or twice a week for two semesters. One hour per week seems entirely inadequate, especially for a complete newb (i.e. not you) who really needs the repetition and probably doesn't have a setup at home to practice with.

Another local-ish option for you is KLK in Hanover.

https://klkwelding.com/welding-school/

We've worked with them quite a bit for weld testing and WELDOR (never knew there was a distinction ) qualification, and even outsourced work to them in a pinch. I would definitely recommend them in those capacities and I know the welding school has really taken off since they first started it maybe 4-5 years ago. Not sure if Ken runs the classes himself, but in my experience he's been a great resource for what you're after and I know they have some other really knowledgeable folks on staff as well. 

In reply to Furious_E (Forum Supporter) :

They may offer other class options, I was just reading the blurb about the curriculum.  HACC's is also a little frustrating because it starts with things like "this is how you plug in the cord for the welder" and "don't get it on your hootus."  I'm a little ahead of that game.  Not too proud to go back and learn the basics, but also don't want to waste a bunch of time on things like a quiz that asks what TIG stands for.

gearheadmb said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

The thread title cracks me up every time I see it. My brain reads it as "well-door"

I read that in He-Man's voice.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

I honestly think "don't get it on your hootus" can ever be reenforced enough.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

My two local community colleges offer welding as a two semester certification.  I was hoping for something more intensive.  It's every Saturday for one hour so they really drag it out.  More research.

One hour class is pretty normal, but there is usually an associated lab class required to go with it. Grabbing equipment, firing things up, shutting down, and cleaning up can burn an hour. Double check for a 3 hour lab that follows the lecture class.

You will have instruction on things you know, there is no way around that, but that info goes quickly and quizzes are fast.