Hey Guys...so I've been kicking around the idea of getting some welding equipment and learning how to weld. I've got a book and read most of it and I'm just wondering where I should start. What type of outfit should I invest in? Should I enroll in a course or can I manage without? I'd like to be able to do some small time fabrication possibly up to body work type stuff. Whadda ya think?? Thanks.

Free advice sometimes being worth what you pay for it, I would suggest you enroll in a welding course at a local community college. That way you can speak with someone that has lots of experience in the subject ( most of the instructors in the CC system are still working in the area of expertise) and they can advise based on their experience. Often times this can lead to avoiding some traps and mistakes. This is a rather long-winded way of saying, "Take the instruction". Good luck.

RMDV

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Carl Zeamer. an old guy, please be gentle.

I'm lucky to be in a trade so I get to play with every other companies 'favorite' welder. Taking a course at a community college is worth the $$ since you get to try things out with out having to make the big investment, and if you can get a 'rounded out' course that lets you play with everything from brazing, gas, MIG, TIG, ARC...you'll get the feel for what you like and don't like. Depending on the course, our local community college lets you bring in a welding project and you can 'weld it up' over the next 10 weeks for credit (not the beginner course...).

go for it!

-D.Idiot