[TheForge] autodarkening helmet and other thoughts

[Paul N]

Terry,
I can only speak to the topic of the welding class.

After I bought a used 130amp wirefeed/MIG welder (Cheap, I'm delighted 
what I got for very cheap) , another list member suggested I take a 
welding class at a community college. The suggestion was mostly intended 
so I can learn to make proper welds that won't put anyone in danger. (I 
had no prior experience in "modern" welding prior to buying this machine.)

Anyway, the Welding 101 class that I am currently enrolled in covers 
stick (SMAW) and oxy-acetylene welding. (and only in "flat" position). 
The MIG is covered in welding 102. I can say that not only am I learning 
a lot, and adapted what we've covered to my wirefeed (making very pretty 
welds now) but I couldn't have bought the materials for what I paid for 
this class. For about $220, we burn through dozens of welding rods each 
week, not to mention the steel. Granted a lot of the practice pieces are 
drops from local fab shops, and go right back as slightly heavier, 
scrap, but if I were practicing on my own, I'd have to pay for the metal 
too.

Anyway, I highly recommend it. The school (ECC, not too far from you) 
has a variety of welding machines, so you get some exposure to more than 
one, plus having someone right there to ask about some trouble your 
having is also a big plus. What I did find though is that these classes 
fill up VERY quickly, so be prepared to register the day registration opens.

Good Luck,
**pn

terry l. ridder wrote:
> hello;
>
> i purchased the hobart hood patriotic xvp series
> part number 770449 auto darkening helmet. i must
> say it is extremely nice to be able to start welding
> without snapping my neck to drop my helmet.
>
> overall the helmet is nice, at bit on the high side of
> price, $204.00 at farm & fleet in dekalb, illinois.
>
> some other items on my shopping list are:
>
> a miller spoolmatic 185 for a millermatic 185. from what i can tell
> it looks like miller no longer markets this spoolgun. it is not clear
> if any of the spoolgun that they are currently marketing will work
> with the millermatic 185. i want the spool gun for welding stainless
> steel. may not need it if i am able to become proficient in tig welding.
>   
<snip>
>
> i am thinking of taking the welding classes at kishwaukee community
> college to really set down and learn welding. i have also toyed with
> the idea of contacting one of several people i know and see how much
> they would charge to teach me the art of oxy-fuel welding, mig with
> shield gas, flux core mig, and tig. i have been welding for many years
> but i know that i have many bad habits when it comes to welding.
>
> i have toyed with the idea of seeing how much i could learn from
> george dixon for $20k usd. that is still a dream.
>
> stilling working on getting the timsmithing equipment together.
> several people on theforge have offered to look at what they have
> in the way of extras and see what we are able to work out. i need
> to get those people the list of what i am still looking for.
>
> if anyone would have comments, suggestions, hints, etc on any
> of the equipment i have mentioned above please share your thoughts.
>
>
>