Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi all, I'm an older guy who has played with welding (gas and stick) since a kid but just this year decided to formalise the training and started TAFE Night Welding classes. Into my third term/semester now and doing mid level TIG having done basic and mid level MIG already.

Not looking for a job welding, I am retired already, just hobby welding on my race cars, workshop stuff and furniture etc is the aim but with at least certificates to make me feel better about my welds.

Found a lot or resources on this site and enjoying reading the forums. Happy to learn from all the experts on here. Thought I should sign up seeing as I have been reading for a while.

Have my own MIG, TIG, Plasma gear and enjoying learning at this stage.

Garry

welcome
you are right there are some real deal welders here, very helpful as well!

Welcome, Garry,

How do you feel about the TAFE training so far? We have a handful of folk going through it who are discovering they're being "taught" by inexperienced ameteurs, and are very unsatisfied with the training they're receiving. The general concensus is that they've learned more from Jody and the folk here than from their "paid instructors".

If you're well pleased, I hope you'll share the name and location of the school so others may benefit.

(Actually, if you're UNhappy with the training, sharing the name will ALSO benefit, but maybe wait until you finish... )

Steve S

I did my certification at Eagle Farm Tafe. My teachers were awesome but with the change of government there has been a shift towards fiscal efficiency that has caused all the teachers I knew to move on. I don't know what the new generation of teachers are like. I hope quality of teaching has not dropped.

Hi Guys and thanks for the welcome.

The TAFE quality does vary when you are not actively pursuing certificates for a job I think. I am lucky, going to the Bremer TAFE and my instructor is a lifetime blacksmith who now teaches. He is one of two old time instructors there who do the Night Welding courses.

At night welding it is basically self paced learning, you do the theory in your own time, not in a classroom, but get good feedback from the instructors. Biggest thing for me is the use of the facilities, being taught theoretical "best practice" welding but also shown the shortcuts etc. be real world welders. Also the abundant facilities that are included in the very low fees, about $12 for each 3 hour night with top line welding equipment, and included consumables. To practice at home, welding gas is my biggest expense, our gas prices are very much higher than US prices.

So, in short, I find it very good value, the apprentices etc who also attend get more attention than I do, but if I have a question or issue, I get help as and when needed. So a thumbs up for Bremer TAFE from me. I want to finish the Cert IV courses in MIG and TIG by mid next year with the main aim being to feel satisfied with welding my own roll cages and chassis work.

From one new member to another, welcome. I think you'll find much of interest here. I sure have

Welcome to the forum Garry.