Going back to school!

[48willys]

Here I am at 41, my 18 year old daughter signed up for the local community college yesterday. My wife was with her, after he determined she qualified for fafsa, he tells my wife you could get it too and go to back to school, your husband too. Well driving a school bus and not working another job right now, well I said why not. I've been a self taught weldor for along time, been turned down on jobs cause no certification, well in about 18 months, that won't be there to hinder me. Now I guess I'll finally learn to weld. Seriously though I'm looking forward to learning more, especially TIG, I always figure if you're too old to learn more then ya must be dead!

[PilotDan]

That's Awesome!!! Congrats! Have a good time and keep us posted on anything cool you work on while welding in school. I've always wanted to take welding courses, maybe one of these days I'll sign up for one..
Daniel

[Craig in Denver]

You're just a puppy. I started welding classes in 2007, at 59. Dang kids in class call me 'ole man'. Where's da respect? But I kin TIG and set it up for stick, TIG steel and TIG alum.

[specter]

Wow!! Just deal on the training for the whole family.

[48willys]

Thanks for the well wishes guys, I'll keep yall posted as things progress. I kinda did a practice test for the Compass test I have to take before I start classes, after being out of high school for 23 years, I still suck at algebra LOL. Geometry and shop type math well after working as a machinist for 15 years, that comes easy! Guess ya loose what ya don't use, or maybe never had!

[john.mooretech]

that's outstanding 48willys! always admire folks going back to school, good for ya. what school are you going to? and if i can help in any way, just let me know.
john

[PilotDan]

Don't worry about the algebra, you'll pick up whatever they want you to know quick enough! There's a really good book out there called "Practical Algebra: A Self Teaching Guide", When I started going back to school (10 years out of high school), I used that book to help get my math skills back up to par. Now I'm working on a math degree along with my business degree.. Don't get side tracked from the welding stuff tho!! lol

[all10fingers]

I've been back in school 3 weeks now.Doing pretty good so far. I started out torch welding. did that for the 1st 2 weeks. worked w/ 16 ga,and was getting the hang of that when we ran out,and had to go to 10 ga. took some adjusting for a few hrs. sounded like a rivet gun convention for a couple days! started arc welding this week.I like it alot. at 1st,didn't have the slightest clue Couldn't lay anything close to a decent weld the 1st 2 days.Finally had a couple ah ha moments. I still have a long row to hoe. tried to do some overhead welds yesterday,just to see what was up. had the amps way up.Maybe I should've read that chapter before I tried that. Not doing that without a hat again! But, I'm steadily progressing.I only caught myself on fire once yesterday! I hope you're having as much fun as I am. I just turned 37. I'm living with my in laws,and goin to school full time,and I can honestly say I haven't had this much fun in years.

[48willys]

Well I've been stick welding for several years, and I know what ya mean about the hat. I worked in a welding shop in the past couple years, yeah I caught myself on fire too. I got to mig there and liked it alot. I know its gonna take a while but I'm gonna try and learn all I can. Once again thanks for all the replies and John I'll definately remember your offer, I'll be at Rowan Tech, through Maysville Community College.

[Crickertj]

I Just got done with the second week of my 2nd year of college. The whole second year for us is pipe. So were doin Stick welding Pipe now. Im on the 5g position.

TJ

["High Idle"]

I've always heard "It's never TOO late to insulate!!" I kinda use that analogy with most things, and for this topic I've used it in the recent years for myself and it is working good. An old-timer told me "Got to WELD to be a welder, son...." He means you don't learn to weld without get'n out there and weld'n "...and you'll never stop learn'n and the best learn'n, is on the job where your get'n paid to do it"