Looking for Welding Teacher in Central Oregon

[JohnLRafter]

Hi all: I need someone in the Bend, Oregon area that can teach me to weld. I am an experienced rafter and fisherman, former whitewater guide, and I want to start designing and making my own raft frames. So, I need to know how to cut, cope and weld steel pipe and aluminum tubing. I work full-time and have a family so this would be a couple of hours a week on evenings and weekends. I'm a fast learner and good with my hands. Any help you you can give me in finding a teacher would be greatly appreciated!

[H80N]

Welcome Aboard..

Hi all: I need someone in the Bend, Oregon area that can teach me to weld. I am an experienced rafter and fisherman, former whitewater guide, and I want to start designing and making my own raft frames. So, I need to know how to cut, cope and weld steel pipe and aluminum tubing. I work full-time and have a family so this would be a couple of hours a week on evenings and weekends. I'm a fast learner and good with my hands. Any help you you can give me in finding a teacher would be greatly appreciated!

Sounds like you need to learn to TIG weld...

is there a community college in your area that might offer welding classes..??
Many Community College welding programs are an excellent introduction to the process.. Both evening adult ed and daytime programs..

in the interim here is a link to the TIG resources section...

you will find booklets, videos and articles that will give you a feel for the process..

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/tig/

[JohnLRafter]

Unfortunately our local Comm. College only has a full-time one-year program. I'll check out the link you provided. Thanks!

[H80N]

Unfortunately our local Comm. College only has a full-time one-year program. I'll check out the link you provided. Thanks!

You could always learn TIG on your own

Some study, common sense and a lot of practice can get you there
lots of people have done it
this pamphlet is a good place to start

http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/gtawbook.pdf

the free online resources available these days are amazing....

You would have to buy or get use of a TIG welder and bottles of Argon shield gas though...

[Broccoli1]

Unfortunately our local Comm. College only has a full-time one-year program. I'll check out the link you provided. Thanks!

Contact the instructor at the CC- they might know someone who could give private lessons.

Check in with the Local Welding Shop (LWS)

[WillieB]

I did. The internet is a wonderful resource. Good and bad advice are given out free by good people. I think an apprenticeship would be a wonderful learning experience. Most of us grown ups have too many responsibilities to do a one year school, or apprenticeship.

Buy a Dynasty 280 DX, a great big antique drill press, oil can, and some hole saws. Google Jody Collier, and start welding.

[H80N]

I did. The internet is a wonderful resource. Good and bad advice are given out free by good people. I think an apprenticeship would be a wonderful learning experience. Most of us grown ups have too many responsibilities to do a one year school, or apprenticeship.

Buy a Dynasty 280 DX, a great big antique drill press, oil can, and some hole saws. Google Jody Collier, and start welding.

Grownups...???..........

Not me... not yet...


Do like your formula for success though...

[snowbird]

for sure a 280...$$$ is a toy for grown ups...

[WillieB]

Grownups...???..........

Not me... not yet...


Do like your formula for success though...

My way isn't the best way to do it. It's only the best I can do. The times in my past experience I've had the privilege to work with an expert, learning is accelerated vastly. It revitalizes me, like an appetizer, making me hungry for more.

License renewal for electricians in VT requires a two day code update course. No one wants to give up a weekend to attend. I wonder if I'm a freak. I want to make the most of it. The weekend is going to be consumed either way, might as well learn something. I hear the grumbling from others about wasting their time. An electrical code book is like the Bible in that a lot of it is subject to interpretation. If I don't explore it thoroughly, I might go down a wrong path which would prove costly.

If local night courses were better, I'd be all over them. I have taken a few. Most of what I've experienced is instructors who don't know their subject matter very well, and courses tailored for total beginners.

[H80N]

Willie ... I think you are absolutely on the right track.... if we quit learning ... we quit growing and living...

for clarity... when I mentioned your formula for success... I was making humorous reference to this...

Buy a Dynasty 280 DX, a great big antique drill press, oil can, and some hole saws. Google Jody Collier, and start welding.