You know, all the classes I looked at we're geared for certification and expensive. I'm sure there's something out there more geared to hobbyist. I know General Air has classes on Saturdays including TIG welding. They are relatively short though and not progressive I think.

 

General Air - Call them up and ask. I took some classes from them after purchasing a mid-end 220v Lincoln wire feed, and it was all I needed for steel welding. The motor mounts I built from that teaching are handling 250hp/700 lb/ft torque (cummins) after 5 years and 20K miles in an old Ford pickup. I took the class in Colorado Springs, but they are all up and down the front range. If they don't teach bike frame specific welding (lighter metals, alumn, scandium, etc) check with race car builders, especially those racing up Pikes Peak. Or find a bike frame builder - they are in the Springs, and certainly parts up North. Find some old free busted frames to practice on too!

Jon.

 

here's some old stuff I found in my archive.

Carbon Fiber Info

Bike Tech Articles
The Metalurgy of Brazing Pt1
The Metalurgy of Brazing Pt3
The Metalurgy of Brazing Pt4

pt2? IDK

cheap jig

 

UT- Thanks for these. I'll start reading tonight...

 

General Air has classes in Denver, Greeley and Co Springs. I just registered for a class online O/A brazing on Feb 9th. Hyped. 4 hours- 2 classroom and 2 hands-on. Limited to 3 students, so good attention and only $50 (I think there might be another $65 charge the day of for some materials, but still, that's reasonable in my book).

I also checked out ClubWorkshop.com and they have some local, one-installment, relatively inexpensive options for TIG and MIG.

 

If you've got a CU connection there's a welding class you can take at the Physics building. There's a machine shop there with welding equipment. A few years back it was $200 for welding which included acetylene as well as tig and arc basics. After that, you have lifetime access to the facilities. Same for machine shop. Can't think of a better deal anywhere.

_MK

 

There's an artist in Berthoud that does great classes. I took a 3-day class, and id brazing, TIG and MIG. He also does forging classes.

David Norrie Studios

 

Thanks for all the info everyone. Lots to look into.