Welding is a popular profession with a lot of opportunities! But welding can also be a fun side-hustle or hobby. Welding classes for hobbyists are a great way to find out if you really enjoy it.
So, read and find out more about what to expect in a hobby welding class.
What Are Hobby Welding Classes?
Hobby welding classes can be found in your local area or online, and are focused on teaching welding basics.
These beginner classes are perfect if you want to get a true feeling of what welding would be like. Why spend your time going to a long-term welding program if you do not even like welding right?
While you will not learn in-depth welding, you should gain enough knowledge to help you understand if it is interesting enough to invest more time and money into learning it on a deeper level.
A hobby or beginner welding class is the perfect way to test the water before you make the leap to become a welder professionally if that is something you are considering.
Why Take A Welding Class As A Hobby?
Learning a new craft is the main reason! Many people who invest in a hobby welding class usually want to do art or basic home maintenance and repairs.
Maybe taking a hobby welding class makes you fall in love enough to consider precious metals as a career too. Learning to weld can be helpful for so many reasons.
What Is Taught In A Hobby Welding Class
This may vary a bit based on the hobby welding class that is nearest to you since each teaches different things.
Some types of classes you might be able to take as a hobbyist include:
Wire Feed. Wire feed welding can also be called metal insert welding (MIG) or gas metal arc welding (GMAW). A class in wired feed welding provides hands-on practice with welding equipment. Learn about the different shielding gases and the types of wire that are commonly used.
Other things you might learn include:
- Reading and welding symbols and codes
- Electricity principles
- Identification of welding defects
- Setting up and caring for welding equipment
Remember, what you learn will be dependent on the welding school you attend. We scoured a few different schools that teach hobby welding and found the course outlines to be unique for each.
The above is a compilation of what different schools offered.
Finding A Welding School
First, you need to decide if you want to attend a local welding school or an online school. Yes, online welding schools exist!
If the idea of learning online and using your own tools to practice is appealing, then there are options.
Some community colleges also offer courses that are geared towards hobbyists.
In some areas, there are also welding-specific schools that might offer some type of hobbyist class.
Preferred Welding Programs
So ready to answer that question, is there welding hobby classes near me? The search below can help you find a welding class for hobbyists, or for professional skill building.
Simply request more information and kick off a new hobby – or maybe even a new skilled trade career!
How Much Is Welding School For A Hobbyist?
We did some digging to try and see how much a basic welding course would cost and found that there is definitely a range.
Many of the schools offer a few options from a one-day program to a multiple-day program. Of course, the more in-depth education you want – the more you will pay.
Fees for classes we found ranged from $50 for a half-day course to as much as $1200 for a multi-day program.
Not all schools offer flexibility, some charge a flat rate for a certain time frame (one day, 3 days, etc). So you need to consider the time investment as well. Others offer several options so you can only take what you want to learn.
Some of the things that may affect how much you pay include:
- Location is a big factor in how much you can expect to pay for a hobby-based welding class.
- Whether you attend online or in person will factor into the cost as well.
- Online welding schools may be a bit cheaper – but you do have to add in the cost of the equipment you will need to purchase.
- You will pay more if you decide you want to take additional welding courses and earn certification.
- The length of the program you want to attend.
What Happens After Your Welding Class?
Well, that is up to you!
Maybe you just want to have some fun and do things for yourself. Maybe you want to create metal masterpieces or be able to fix your own metal repairs in your home. We have a great post on welding projects to make money from home if you are looking for some inspiration!
Car enthusiasts will love the ability to do their own repairs during rebuilds.
If you really fall in love with welding, then it is time to rethink your future with it. Take a peak at our article “is welding a good career?” and see why it may be just what you are looking for.
If you are not happy in your current career, this might be time to make a change. Enrolling in a more advanced welding program can have you a certified welder in no time. This will then lead to a new and exciting career path doing what you love.
Or, maybe you can become an artist! You might be amazed at some of the amazing welding artists that are successfully selling their welding ware.
Take a look at Richard Hunt.
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Born in 1935 in South Side Chicago he worked with a variety of metals including copper, iron, steel, and aluminum.
His amazing metal artwork has been showcased in places such as the Museum of Modern Art, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Fine Arts and so many other places.
