Kilmarnock College Course

[MM6CMC]

Hi folks, looking for a bit of advice - I'm on week 5 of a 13 week course at Killie College. The course has no real structure, and there's no real theory - which suits most of us, I think.

I have been using mainly the MIG welder so far, but have access to gas, TIG and stick machines as well. I'd prefer to get my MIG as good as I can in the 13 weeks but would like to know is there any one type of welding which it would be worth putting some time into? For example, would doing some gas welding give me a better grounding for the other types? Any advice much appreciated....

 

[matt1978]

Hi,

It depends on what you would like to use your welding skills for in the future??

Gas welding is seldom used in industry now and as such is a dying skill. However, if you can gas weld, then you will be more likely to pick tig welding up easier.

Mig welding is mainly used on heavy production, especially structual steelwork. It is also used a lot in automotive construction/repair aswell as run of the mill sheet metal fabrication.

Tig and MMA welding are still regarded as the highest skilled processes and are used extensively on pipeline construction, powerstations and oil industry etc etc.

So if you are looking for a carear in welding, I would suggest concentrating on Tig and MMA.

If you are looking for a skill to help with your DIY projects, concentrate on Mig.

 

[malcolm]

I've never got on with gas, but Arc and TIG are both worth playing with - get the hang of them and your MIG should improve. So worthwhile giving them a shot while the machines are available.

TIG will allow you to play with the weld pool without having to throw wire in all the time, and helps develop a steady hand. Arc helps develop consistency, speed and control.

Neither will give nearly as much freedom as MIG for torch angle and position so are good discipline.

 

[runnach]

Personally, and you have ideas/perversions to rebuild an old rust bucket get as much time possible using oxy-acetylene welding process, failing this, cram as much time possible trying out the various other processes.........

Cheers............

 

[MGB82]

How you finding the night classes?

Have you thought about the full time Fab/Weld course? I say full time, if it's anything like what I'm doing it's only three days a week!

 

[MM6CMC]

Aye, its going well. Instead of 13 weeks of the basic course, then 13 weeks of advanced, if I do both I'll get my "Advanced Welding" Certificate, and my BS whatever it is certificate.

I'm a steel detailer to trade, so should look good on the permanent record that I can weld as well as draw steel.

I'm hoping it might recession proof me a bit too - could do with getting some work experience though....

 

[English Lad]

How you finding the night classes?

Have you thought about the full time Fab/Weld course? I say full time, if it's anything like what I'm doing it's only three days a week!

I don't think any of the fulltime courses at Kille are more than 3 days. I know mine isn't and thats in engineering too.

 

[Tigman]

I was trained in oxy acetylene pipe welding , once the course was over never used the process at all that was nearly thirty years ago , ive brased and silver soldered and weld cast iron and Ali with it but not mild steel , as for car work its hard work , once i had the mig that was that , now I would say that it stands you in good stead for tig welding , very similar process only the tig is so quick heat wise . I would learn as much as you can try all the processes , enjoy

 

[runnach]

I was trained in oxy acetylene pipe welding , once the course was over never used the process at all that was nearly thirty years ago , ive brased and silver soldered and weld cast iron and Ali with it but not mild steel

Interesting comments Tigman. I'm involved training H&V app pipe fitter/welders. 3rd year covers O&A practical & theory, 4th year same, except MMA, both cumulating with a provisional weld test to their industry standard (TR5).

Provisional ticket valid for one year (both processes) I have found it rare now to see these lads return to resit their full ticket, which lasts three years. If one off my lads does return when provisional expires, normal for me to hear lad has not touched O&A since he sat provisional. I wonder if the day will arrive when we see the demise of O&A? If such a day does happen, then we are the lucky ones, lucky for the fact we have practical skills and knowledge of O&A process.

H&V industry (which is not my industry) there are installations up and down the UK where certainly up to 4" carbon pipe is crimped, no fusion process at all is used, thus eliminating another trade skill.

Such is progress, or is it?

Apologies for going off topic a tad...........

 

[MM6CMC]

I've got 4 weeks left at the end of my course to have a play with the other welders - I've done my test pieces on MIG, and had a wee shot at TIG, but it was a hassle to keep going and asking the storeman to sharpen tips for me every five mins. Probably best learnt at home, sat next to the bench grinder...

It's looking like 2 weeks on gas, and 2 weeks on stick to try and get a feel for them. Probably get a soft spot for gas - I dabble in signwriting, and would like to try and keep another dying art on its feet....

 

[Tigman]

I think it boils down to the fact that mma is quicker on site than oxy acetylene and the insurance for carting gas around and storing all adds up , I may have a go at some pipe welds with the gas see if I can still do it !

ive been keeping my eye on the new crimping systems , looks very clever but like you say not a lot of skill required , have`nt had a chance to try it yet, copper , plastic , stainless and black iron pipework all crimped , ive tryed the pushfit systems very simple ! Skills will be lost !

 

[English Lad]

I've got 4 weeks left at the end of my course to have a play with the other welders - I've done my test pieces on MIG, and had a wee shot at TIG, but it was a hassle to keep going and asking the storeman to sharpen tips for me every five mins. Probably best learnt at home, sat next to the bench grinder...

It's looking like 2 weeks on gas, and 2 weeks on stick to try and get a feel for them. Probably get a soft spot for gas - I dabble in signwriting, and would like to try and keep another dying art on its feet....

Hi mate,

If you have a go at stick use the Fronius machines (DC Inverters) booths 1 & 2. They seem to be really good machines. Never welded before in my life and I have already completed outside corner and lap joint with not to many problems on mma. 2 more to do on mma and then 4 on mig.

What days you in?

 

[Gerry]

Very interesting to hear about the course at Kilmarnock. I hope to start next session. I would prefer to do the full time course but unfortunately the day job pays the bills.

Co-incidentally, the local paper has an ad for a Fabrication and Welding course for 16 to 19 year olds - and they get paid to do it. Ad placed by CEiS Ayrshire in 'The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald'. I have already e mailed them to see if old b*ggers (read those of more mature years) can get a foot in the door. I may have to buy a track suit and a baseball cap and lie about my age.

 

[MM6CMC]

English Lad - I'm in on Thursday nights. Been using the big Miller MIG machine mostly, its a cracking machine.

Gerry - who did you see about that course - I'll call them and put the pressure on too. (Mind you I still get ID'd for drink and cigs at 25, so might manage to get in...)

 

[English Lad]

If your over 25 your stuffed if you want to be an apprentice.

Under 25's the employer gets paid a reasonable amount of funding, and the government are not interested in us oldies I'm only 40!

I know the mig you are on about the Fronius mma machines are in the other workshop.

 

[Gerry]

MM6CMC - I e-mailed Marie Bracaglia (Marie@ceisayrshire.co.uk). She replied saying she hoped I could attend an information day on 2nd December. Just my luck, I'm working but I'll try to find out if they are open late. Nice of her to reply.

English Lad - If 25 is the limit, then I've passed it twice and then a bit. Too old to die young and too young to give up. It's not just the government who don't care about us oldies. I didn't realise how difficult it is for the over fifties to get a foot in the door for an interview, never mind get a job. I may not be as fit as I was but I'll match anyone for effort.
Rant over for today. I'll need to go for my nap now nurse.

 

[MGB82]

There's two types of apprenticeship you can apply for.

First one is the 16-25 apprenticeship, but if like me you're older than 25, you can apply for a mature apprenticeship for 25 and over.

So if you're applying for jobs and stuff, best bet is to let them know your age, that way if they take you on they know which apprenticeship funding to apply for.

 

[MGB82]

What level are you doing at the college English Lad?

I'm starting way at the bottom on the SVQ, that way it covers a bit of everything and see what I like from there.

The electrical side is'nt as boring as I first thought it would be, but years of working on Land Rovers and dodgy Lucas electrics helped me get some experience there.

Did'nt have the patience for the welding to begin with, but I've started to get right into that now.

 

[English Lad]

What level are you doing at the college English Lad?

I'm starting way at the bottom on the SVQ, that way it covers a bit of everything and see what I like from there.

The electrical side is'nt as boring as I first thought it would be, but years of working on Land Rovers and dodgy Lucas electrics helped me get some experience there.

Did'nt have the patience for the welding to begin with, but I've started to get right into that now.

I'm doing the SVQ as well! Next Year I am going straight for an HNC or (HND if they offer it).

Have the exp but no papers.

 

[English Lad]

There's two types of apprenticeship you can apply for.

First one is the 16-25 apprenticeship, but if like me you're older than 25, you can apply for a mature apprenticeship for 25 and over.

So if you're applying for jobs and stuff, best bet is to let them know your age, that way if they take you on they know which apprenticeship funding to apply for.

Companies are not interested in mature apprentices as the pot of funding is way smaller

They can get funding for under 25's and they can also claim other money from other government pots!

Hence why companies mainly only take under 25's