young or old

[Bert]

odleo,
too bad you got one of those brother-in-laws! Of course when you get good, he'll be back! Just say to "friends" that have scr*w*d me in the past:
"oh, sorry, I'm too busy! but I have some time Next month!"

[jonnymag]

I try to weld any metal I can get my hands on. I have been slowly and I mean very slowly building a welding table. Have been using a couple saw horses with a piece of ply on top till I get the base of the table finished. I will try to get some pics and post them. I have a cheap little welder, all I could afford only runs on 110 and uses flux core

Yeah, me too. Using a cheap 110 flux core welder -- but my skills aren't good enough to justify investing in something better yet. Scored a couple freebie metal plates recently. So now I have no excuse (except maybe laziness) for not actually building a welding table

[fun4now]

odleo, tell your brother inlaw to "bite me" if you enjoy welding then keep at it. even a small 120V MIG with gas will be a big jump in fun and performance. it will allow for much thiner material to be worked on and much less smoke and splatter. my MM135 has done so much more than i ever expected of it.

we would all love a nice new MM212 or 252, but hey nothing wrong with working with what you have. just keep at it and you will get better.

[welder13]

odleo, tell your brother inlaw to "bite me" if you enjoy welding then keep at it. even a small 120V MIG with gas will be a big jump in fun and performance. it will allow for much thiner material to be worked on and much less smoke and splatter. my MM135 has done so much more than i ever expected of it.

we would all love a nice new MM212 or 252, but hey nothing wrong with working with what you have. just keep at it and you will get better.

Exactly what james just said. I have a 110v flux core from hardor freight and I make it work heck it only has 60 an 80 amp settings too. Its not the welding equipment its the welder using it which of course a cheapo is harder to work with but like james said you work with what you have

[odleo]

Thanks

Thanks fun4now, Welder 13, Bert and Johnny for encouraging words. I have been looking for some classes I could take. I found one up the road but it meets on Wednesdays and I work the swing shift, so I am not able to go. I have called and inquired if they consider offering a class on Saturdays.
My sister works for the school district in the next town and she was going to talk with the AG teacher to see if he would help me.

Thanks
Wes
odleo

[Bert]

Lot of the local high schools over here have Adult Ed classes for $45-$80. Usually M-W, T-TH night or Sat classes. It's cool to take them, everything from bead making, welding, auto repair, etc. Inquire and see what they offer.

[fun4now]

check will all your LWS also, some of them offer weekend classes or can tell you where some can be found.

[jonnymag]

Lot of the local high schools over here have Adult Ed classes for $45-$80. Usually M-W, T-TH night or Sat classes. It's cool to take them, everything from bead making, welding, auto repair, etc. Inquire and see what they offer.

Hey, stop making fun of me. I told you I just took those beadmaking classes because I inherited my dad's lampwork torch setup Wanna see some glass beads I made?

[Bert]

jonnymag

HONEST!!! I forgot you did that beadmaking glass!! I just remembered it, 'cause they have a craft beadmaking class at our church also, then I remember they offered it at the High School!!!!

[fun4now]

oh great now ya gotta show us the beads.
now that ys got us wondering.

[jwsrep]

I was 17 y.o. in high school. After HS worked for a snow plow factory in Upstate NY. After that worked at a few different factories and weld shops. Landed a job with a LWS 23 years ago and been there ever since. I am now an outside sales tech and couldn't be happier. I still get involved with customers projects and play with all the newest equipment. Best thing is I weld when I want to with all the newest equipment.

Wireburner, stay with it. You have a good jump on things. Especially pay attention to what some of these guys have to say on here. There are some real craftsman on this board....soak it up.

[fun4now]

I still get involved with customers projects and play with all the newest equipment. Best thing is I weld when I want to with all the newest equipment.

thats just too cool.

[jonnymag]

Ok Ok

oh great now ya gotta show us the beads.
now that ys got us wondering.

OK, only had 7 sessions of instruction. Here's a few samples. Don't laugh too hard. Class was last Feb. So bottom left shows my failed attempts at making a valentine bead Very lopsided LOL

PS sorry for the crappy lighting.

[jonnymag]

I still get involved with customers projects and play with all the newest equipment.

Ideal job! I wish I could get a job like that in a golf shop

[fun4now]

jonnymag, thats cool.