Discussion about tradeschools, techschools, universities and other programs.
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When I started shopping around for courses, I realized this one was the best overall.
1. Price. Another local "school" (certificate mill) wanted $4000 for a shorter course that had NO certification. Their lab was half assed: HFT flux and MIG machines. A fan on the wall for fume extraction. Half the booths had curtains while the other half didn't have any at all. The "Dean" complained about OSHA rules and compliance.
2. Certification. Even the area CC's didn't offer courses for certification. The university here, just has two classes for welding. They are tied in with a couple of degrees they offer.
3. Lab. I work for NASA. Their machines are some of the best on the market. Syncrowave 350's (drooool). The lab I will be using throughout this course could give NASA a run for it's money. I saw one Lincoln tombstone. The rest were Miller machines.
4. Instructor. We aren't long time friends, coworkers or relatives. We struck a repoire when I was shopping for schools. He's a retired welder (AWS), CWI and certified instructor. I've spoken to students from the previous class and they had no complaints about him. Yeah, he may be in his late 70's/early 80's, nut they said he still has "it" and wants to share "it".

I'm just glad it's happening....FINALLY!
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
AWS D1.1, D17.1
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We are three weeks into the course and......

WELL. WORTH. THE. MONEY!!!

The instructor noted that this class (9 of us) are flying through the exercises. Faster than the last class. What has taken us three weeks to do, took the last class three months.

I'm tired as hell due to OT (6-10's), buying/moving into a house and school (15hrs a week after work). Still, I am NOT complaining.
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
AWS D1.1, D17.1
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RocketSurgeon wrote:We are three weeks into the course and......

WELL. WORTH. THE. MONEY!!!

The instructor noted that this class (9 of us) are flying through the exercises. Faster than the last class. What has taken us three weeks to do, took the last class three months.

I'm tired as hell due to OT (6-10's), buying/moving into a house and school (15hrs a week after work). Still, I am NOT complaining.
That's great news!
Bang for the buck, and a sense of accomplishment! (And good sleep each night...)

My Co. is sending me into the city in a couple weeks... I'm taking overhead crane inspector training/certification. I'd rather be where you are, but we're (oddly) not required to meet a code for the structural stuff. Fortunately, we are all very self-conscious OCD types where welding is concerned. (Aren't all true craftsmen their own worst critics?)

Steve S
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Otto Nobedder wrote: Fortunately, we are all very self-conscious OCD types where welding is concerned. (Aren't all true craftsmen their own worst critics?)

Steve S
ALWAYS! At least the ones who give a crap about their craft and their work. It's like a signature on a contract: I did this and I guarantee the work done.
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
AWS D1.1, D17.1
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It's been 9-10 weeks into the course. 4G plate is kicking my......
I really can't complain, at all, about the course or the instructor. As it turns out, he used to work for the same company I do now. Doing the same thing, building the same section. Only, I do it with a $5mil robot.

We will be going thru combo-pipe later (TIG root/stick out). If there is time along the way, he will help me with my Al cert(s).
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
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RocketSurgeon wrote:It's been 9-10 weeks into the course. 4G plate is kicking my......
I really can't complain, at all, about the course or the instructor. As it turns out, he used to work for the same company I do now. Doing the same thing, building the same section. Only, I do it with a $5mil robot.

We will be going thru combo-pipe later (TIG root/stick out). If there is time along the way, he will help me with my Al cert(s).
What process on the 4G? Stick, I presume, for AWS? Will the aluminum cert be GTAW?

I'm a bit envious, as I've never had any formal training (and my employer is unlikely to finance it, since my welds pass).

Steve S
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Stick for all the plate tests. It is for AWS.
The Al most definitely will be TIG.

I finally (knock on wood) made a good weld tonight on 4G. I made the work come to me instead of me going to the work. If I can make three more that are good or better in a row, I think I'll be confident to test out on it.
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
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Sorry it's been so long since I've even looked at the forum, let alone post.

PROGRESS!! School is moving along quite nicely. I'm learning a LOT and able to move along at my own pace. I don't feel rushed or slowed from the other students or curriculum.
I've passed ALL 4 process qual tests and have passed my stick cert. I have to retest my FC. Afterwards I can choose MIG or TIG next. I just might have all 4 by the end of February.

I'll keep saying it, because it's true: The best $1500 I've ever spent.
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Stick certified!
Stick certified!
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Chris
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Nice coupons!

What was the issue with the FC?

Steve S
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2G test didn't pass. Lack of fusion between the stringers.
3 and 4G passed easily.

Gravity sucks. lol
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
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Wanna know what sucks?

Being sick for two weeks and not being able to go to school.

I'm better and have returned to school on a mission.

FCAW cert: DONE!

MIG cert: 2/3 done!

Class tonight and should have MIG complete (knocks on wood).
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FCAW cert
FCAW cert
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Chris
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RocketSurgeon wrote:Wanna know what sucks?

Being sick for two weeks and not being able to go to school.

I'm better and have returned to school on a mission.

FCAW cert: DONE!

MIG cert: 2/3 done!

Class tonight and should have MIG complete (knocks on wood).
Way to go Chris!
Richard
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Well done!

Thanks for the update!

Steve S
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Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately, knocking on wood doesn't help weld metal. My bend test last night snapped in two. :x I'll try it again Friday night.
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
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RocketSurgeon wrote:Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately, knocking on wood doesn't help weld metal. My bend test last night snapped in two. :x I'll try it again Friday night.
No problem, scroll up a few post and see your last batch that did pass. You'll get it
Richard
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Yup! Last Friday was the day!

PASSED! GMAW is mine!

GTAW is next and the last one.
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3 down! 1 to go!
3 down! 1 to go!
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Chris
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DONE!
AWS certs are DONE!
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TIG! DONE!
TIG! DONE!
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Chris
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RocketSurgeon wrote:DONE!
AWS certs are DONE!
GOLD JERRY, GOLD!!
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Richard
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Thanks! (That's funny, too.)

The class isn't over, but I have eared all the certs it had to offer.
Depending on who calls me up to put these certs to work, will sway my direction on the next technique I try to pick up (pipe or aluminum).
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Chris
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Congratulations, Chris!

As for where to go next, pipe vs. aluminum, both are in demand locally, and you can put either to use. I see why you'd want to see where your current education takes you before making a choice. Do you have equipment at home that you could use to study/practice either one?

Steve S
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I have a 200A TIG/Stick with all the bells and whistles (including a 50A plasma torch and pedal).
As long as I can get the He, I can even do aerospace Al alloys.
I will be getting scrap pieces of thin wall stainless tubing from a source so I can practice tacking for orbital.
Chris
NASA is not the enemy of the American taxpayer.
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Last Friday's ceremony:
(All AWS certs offered in the curriculum)
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Chris
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RocketSurgeon wrote:Last Friday's ceremony:
(All AWS certs offered in the curriculum)
CONGRATULATIONS Chris...

BTW what happened to the guy hanging on the far right? Is this what happens if you don't pass?? :lol:
Richard
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LtBadd wrote: CONGRATULATIONS Chris...

BTW what happened to the guy hanging on the far right? Is this what happens if you don't pass?? :lol:
Yeah, you end up starving.

As you can see in the pic, I'm eating well. :lol:
Chris
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Congratulations!

I see you, too, have a red head in your life. That seems to happen at a disproportionately high rate for welders... Maybe it's related to our tolerance for pain... ;) :lol:

Steve S
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