[Chewy]

Sorry been busy the last few months with retirement. Haven’t been on much, still not officially out of the Navy till 28 FEB 2018. Anyhow we’ll decide to take the jump bought a Saquare Wave tig 200 and built a cart from scrap and stuff I can find for free. I still need a mig machine but that’s the next thing on the list, amongst other things but that will come in time..lol. Oh boy I’m rusty as hell, but all in all not bad for a mechanic who loves to do both welding and mechanics. My question to you all is, I’m thinking about going to Tulsa Welding to improve and hope to get some certifications if I can is it worth it is all I want to do is just do fabrication and weld as a small shop? I’ve been pretty much learning for your guys forums and mistakes that I’ve made building this and watch the vids here, and I know a lot of it is from time under the hood and not afraid to make a mistake and just learning from it is priceless. Is a school really a benefit, when I really don’t plan on working for someone else?

Chewy

[Poland308]

I would say there are two obvious benefits. One would be the practice time that would be scheduled frequently during the classes, hopefully with some constructive criticism thrown in. Second having a few certs can build your confidence, your customers confidence, and will help you to learn some of the technical/ engineering/ protocols.

[LtBadd]

What Josh said...if you're like me there's nothing better then being able to ask questions as you practice and receive immediate help.

[Chewy]

I see both of your points. I’ve been thinking about them both too...hmmmm. I have a decision to make there....ok respect the opinions. Thanks for the input.

[Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

[Chewy]

Thanks Mike, we’ll after my official retirement date I’ll be going to enroll at Tulsa thanks for the advice guys. I do need a lot of practice and get more educated on tig my weakest and feared process. Looked at a few of Jody’s videos and decided to run a practice on 1/8” mild steel T joint, 100 amps 1/8” filler rod 3/32” tungsten, didn’t work out so well...lol, I’ll keep trying tho.

[mechanic416]

Keep at it, smaller filler and more amps.

[Chewy]

Thanks I will keep at it hard process to learn for me tho but, I like the challenge .