Complete noob from Utah

As you might notice from the join date, I've been lurking here off and on for quite awhile. I'm finally almost ready to buy a welder, but decided to take a welding course first. The classes start next month so I'm excited for that. Most likely buy a moderately priced everlast when I have a better handle on which type to get.

I'm a computer programmer by day, have some basic woodworking tools(router, miter, table saw, sander, etc.), but have yet to do any work with metal. Love looking at some of the projects here. Hopefully I can do something half as good as those one day.

Welcome, Glen! Good on ya for taking a welding course- what kind of course is it? It would be great to get the exposure to different processes to help in the buy decision.

It's a community education course taught at nights. It's once a week at night for 4 hours for 8 weeks, so 32 hours total for $170 which includes the class + class materials. I don't have a lot of info on it, but none of the adult ed programs near my house did welding. It was all art stuff or woodworking. The description doesn't really get into much detail, but I heard it was good and they covered the different types.

That sounds perfect- reasonably priced, covers multiple processes. A lot depends on the instructor, but it sure could turn into some formal instruction with generous access to machines.

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Originally Posted by Glen

It's a community education course taught at nights. It's once a week at night for 4 hours for 8 weeks, so 32 hours total for $170 which includes the class + class materials. I don't have a lot of info on it, but none of the adult ed programs near my house did welding. It was all art stuff or woodworking. The description doesn't really get into much detail, but I heard it was good and they covered the different types.

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If you get a good instructor you can't go wrong at that price. Even being able to practice on your own will give you a better feel for what welder you will want to get.

I too am a Software Engineer currently and have experience in wood working and construction. I learned welding and auto work along with metal working as a hobby. My education is actually Networking and Information Technology but yet I ended up as a Software Engineer building DLP solutions... I would think that you will catch on quickly. :)

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Originally Posted by Jason

I too am a Software Engineer currently and have experience in wood working and construction. I learned welding and auto work along with metal working as a hobby. My education is actually Networking and Information Technology but yet I ended up as a Software Engineer building DLP solutions... I would think that you will catch on quickly. :)

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Must be something about software engineering that makes welding attractive. Woodworking too apparently for that matter. Maybe the creative side of things? Yeah, I think you'll do very well.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcome

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Originally Posted by Mr120

Must be something about software engineering that makes welding attractive. Woodworking too apparently for that matter. Maybe the creative side of things? Yeah, I think you'll do very well.

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Yeah. My wife thinks I have too many hobbies, but I just like knowing how things work. Jack of all trades, master of none(or one) kind of thing.

Welcome to the forum Glen.

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Originally Posted by Mr120

Must be something about software engineering that makes welding attractive. Woodworking too apparently for that matter. Maybe the creative side of things? Yeah, I think you'll do very well.

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Probably just engineering in general. Actually fabbing something adds a level of satisfaction to the design process that just isn't there when you hand off the plans to some else. Wood, metal, cement, ???, all just different materials that you can create cool stuff with.

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Originally Posted by Glen

Thanks for the welcome

Yeah. My wife thinks I have too many hobbies, but I just like knowing how things work. Jack of all trades, master of none(or one) kind of thing.

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You can never have too many hobbies.... I actually finished an apprenticeship to be an Envelope Machine Adjuster and made pretty decent money at it. My brother still does that and only makes a few dollars an hr less than I do at my current job.. Having many skills opens the doors to many career paths should you need to change. I went from IT to envelope machine adjuster to software engineer. Software Engineering was never a focus in my education but has been a hobby for ~10 years and combining that with my IT background allowed me to get to where I am.. Besides, hobbies are fun and with many you never have a dull moment waiting on a single one :)

I totally agree with you. :D I may just have focusing problems. I bounce back and forth between different(expensive) hobbies all the time. Keeps things lively as you said.

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Originally Posted by Glen

I totally agree with you. :D I may just have focusing problems. I bounce back and forth between different(expensive) hobbies all the time. Keeps things lively as you said.

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Expensive yes and the todo / project list never seems to get any shorter. With my short attention span, I tend to wander from project to project so I usually have a half dozen projects in a semi-completed state ....

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Originally Posted by Mr120

I tend to wander from project to project so I usually have a half dozen projects in a semi-completed state ....

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How do you keep that number so low? :O :D I think there are at least that many incompletes in each catagory, automotive, yard, house, and metalwork, piled up around here.

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Originally Posted by redbeard

How do you keep that number so low? :O :D I think there are at least that many incompletes in each catagory, automotive, yard, house, and metalwork, piled up around here.

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I low-balled the number. Too embarrassed to say more than that! LOL

oh don't mention expensive :P I just spent $5700 on parts for my daily driver in 2 months and still plan on another 1800 - 2400 by the end of next month and that doesn't touch the trans :O 500-550 WHP in a 2900lb car = :D I posted my other project on here awhile back and the goal there is 550 AWHP in 3400 lbs.. Two very expensive projects with that one probably in the range of $15000-$20000 in the last 2-3 years.. I also just spent ~$400 on my nitro RC truck.... Hrm.. I guess a house needs to come soon and that piece of metal that fits around a finger. One thing I have found though is to stop doing all the projects friends have. That list never seems to end and doesn't allow for your own to get started/worked on.

On a side note, anyone here ever get into tuning standalone engine management? I am debating on going standalone or just going with a chip for my daily driver.