Discussion about tradeschools, techschools, universities and other programs.
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Chris,

My co-worker Jason (the one you met), was wondering if the trade school in Hammond ever offers training or tests for certifications in brazing and soldering. He said it's a "pad the resume' thing", not a need (although I don't suppose he's realized yet that we silver-braze lots of stuff on the atmospheric trailers).

Steve S
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I'll ask the instructor tomorrow. I'll be asking him for "not covered in the curriculum" training (2219, 2195 and titanium). He worked at Michoud, as a welder, during the Saturn program.

Is that torch (oxy) or TIG brazing?
Chris
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My assumption is oxy-fuel, since soldering is on his wish-list,

And, frankly, for what we do I consider TIG brazing to be completely worthless. I fix it often. There's no penetration, it's a surface dressing.

Thanks for checking,

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I'm sorry to say that the course does not cover brazing or soldering. My instructor suggested to check with the plumbing instructors to see if they offer a cert.

Sorry.
Chris
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That's not a bad idea.

Either the plumbing or HVAC sections of the curriculum will cover one or both.

Thanks!

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13 days until the start of class! Anyone interested in this AWS certified course should contact the school and enroll.

Amy Valentine:985-549-3165

The class still has empty seats and can not start unless those are filled.
Chris
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With only 7 paid seats (including mine), out of 20, the course is happening after all.

They will still take enrollment until the 22nd. Class starts on the 18th.
Chris
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Wow.

I must say, that course is dirt, dirt cheap. 630 hours for $1500bux? Are you kidding me?


That is like $2.38095238 an hour that you will pay for quality welding classes that will get you places.
I don't see how that school will make a dime.
If that was near me, or I was near it, and had the means to go, I'd go. :D

My local welding school want's $8,000 for 320 hours!! 8 week course, 40 hours a week.
Just a couple welders and a couple of big hammers and torches.

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John,

I'm amazed that price hasn't drawn a larger class, too.

There's SO much work going on around us here (That class is 20 miles from me), that should interest the young folk.

My best guess is, everyone who wants to get into welding around here thinks pipe is the only way to go. Fine. Weld pipe. But you could earn the money for pipe training by welding AWS structure with a discount certification from a real school. And you might discover there's real money and skill in welding structure.

There's no real way to understand what does (and does not) motivate people.

Steve S
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Because pipeline is so frickin glamourous
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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
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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
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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?)

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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
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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
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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).

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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
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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?

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

Gravity sucks. lol
Chris
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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
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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!

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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
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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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