so what'd you make in shop class?

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by '73 H1 Triple

I'm "pushing" the schooling so you learn the correct way to weld before you learn bad habits/practices.

It is easier to learn on the newer mig welders than stick (arc) welding but proper techique and heat is important. More than a few of the people in the class thought it was better to "burn in" the weld for better penetration. Although it does go deeper, it overheats the metal to the point of crystalizing it. That makes it brittle and it will crack easier.

It's like people who learn to ride on their own vs. through the MSF course.
Sure, you may go 20 years with no accidents or major mishaps, but at that point you're more the exception than the rule.
You'll learn more as you gain experience working on your own, but I don't see any reasonable arguments against getting the training first.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

It's like people who learn to ride on their own vs. through the MSF course.
Sure, you may go 20 years with no accidents or major mishaps, but at that point you're more the exception than the rule.
You'll learn more as you gain experience working on your own, but I don't see any reasonable arguments against getting the training first.

Okay, I made the first post about "learning on your own" and the rebuttal came second. Sorry, I'm just a little tired of being accused of starting these arguments. I have an opinion backed up by a 70+ year old company with 30 trucks on the road. I have 10 years of personal experience in this area that tells me that it can be done. I'm not against taking classes if you can afford it (kinda like MSF, I guess) but for light , Bob Villa, around the house welding I honestly believe that you could learn well enough from books, the internet and practice. I'm sorry that I don't agree with you completely. Can't we just agree to disagree before I have to be told how stupid I am? Please?

[Homeslice]

Didn't do shit in shop class.......Couldn't decide what to make. My attitude was, you're the teacher, so you tell me what to make.

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by Bluestreak

I made several peices of furniture that I still use today, some better quality than others, and way too many baseball bats.

We had wood shop, and metal shop. I never took metal shop and now I wish I would have. They learned how to weld and made lots of really cool stuff. Welding is a skill I don't have but wish I did.

Me too. I am actually looking forward to getting back a frame I made for an old girlfriend back in the day. Her mom has it and wants to give it back to me. I'm pumped about this.

I too wish I took welding class. of coarse one of my buds is a certified pipeline welder so I'm sure he could teach me.

Which brings up a point. I highly doubt many welders most of us know are all that good in comparison to a pipeline welder who's welds must pass xray certs. Every one of them! The old school pipeline welders that I have met could weld better behind their head then most average welders.

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Hey do what I did, buy a cheap welder and get some scrap somewhere and practice! Apart from figuring out some adjustments and stuff welding is more of an "art" than anything else imho. Most of the best welders I've ever met learned by doing rather than taking classes.

The guy that made the sissy bar and pipes for the chop was self taught and he had some amazing welds.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Okay, I made the first post about "learning on your own" and the rebuttal came second. Sorry, I'm just a little tired of being accused of starting these arguments. I have an opinion backed up by a 70+ year old company with 30 trucks on the road. I have 10 years of personal experience in this area that tells me that it can be done. I'm not against taking classes if you can afford it (kinda like MSF, I guess) but for light , Bob Villa, around the house welding I honestly believe that you could learn well enough from books, the internet and practice. I'm sorry that I don't agree with you completely. Can't we just agree to disagree before I have to be told how stupid I am? Please?

Nobody's calling you stupid, bud.
Sounds like you did a good job teaching yourself a skill... just saying not everyone wants to spend the time trying to learn by trial and error.
Not to mention, have you ever known someone who has shocked the piss out of themselves with welding equipment?
Funny... but not recommended.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

Nobody's calling you stupid, bud.
Sounds like you did a good job teaching yourself a skill... just saying not everyone wants to spend the time trying to learn by trial and error.
Not to mention, have you ever known someone who has shocked the piss out of themselves with welding equipment?
Funny... but not recommended.

Yea I said "before" . The thing is I had "basic" skills and I was an apprentice for 3 years in my trade. A guy who had been doing it for 15+ years taught me everything I needed to know. Anyway, I'm sorry it's just that you all are far smarter than I am and it's why I actually avoid some threads (believe it or not). You are all much more educated than I am and most of you have jobs that apparently allow you to surf the web for vast amounts of information on science, politics, psychology, news, etc.

There was a thread about traffic light loops a while back. I have installed dozens and had literally installed several that week on a job. Someone asked if a magnet would trigger a loop. I said yes and an engineer on the forum said no. I tried to explain that we use one all the time to trigger them when we set the sensitivity or to test the operation rather than drive our truck back and forth. He basically called me a liar and a fool and a number of other learned gentlemen dog piled their degrees onto the stack. It just seems to happen a lot. Sorry if I were a little too "preemptive".

[Adeptus_Minor]

Yes... well... right then.
Carry on.

[Particle Man]

shit, we made pen holders and bird feeders out of freakin' wood

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Didn't do shit in shop class.......Couldn't decide what to make. My attitude was, you're the teacher, so you tell me what to make.

Wow...so that attitude of your has been around since you were a wee one?

You and your fashion magazines and social trend literature.

['73 H1 Triple]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Okay, I made the first post about "learning on your own" and the rebuttal came second. Sorry, I'm just a little tired of being accused of starting these arguments. I have an opinion backed up by a 70+ year old company with 30 trucks on the road. I have 10 years of personal experience in this area that tells me that it can be done. I'm not against taking classes if you can afford it (kinda like MSF, I guess) but for light , Bob Villa, around the house welding I honestly believe that you could learn well enough from books, the internet and practice. I'm sorry that I don't agree with you completely. Can't we just agree to disagree before I have to be told how stupid I am? Please?

I did not call or infer you were "stupid". My entire point was learning the correct way before you pick up bad habits.

I see you learned from an experienced craftsman. That equates to "school"

Also, the magnet thread may have been mine. It works good on most lights but there is still one that it does NOT work with. I even added two big cow magnets to the one I purchased off ebay. I still sit and wait for traffic or after a long wait, "run" the red light ( safely).

Jeff