Anyone know of a good welding class in So Cal? I would prefer something between Monrovia and Rancho Cucamonga. Looking to get serious about my welding and don't want to learn through trial and error. Learning to stick and TIG would be nice too...

Check out your local community college for classes. Nothing wrong with trial and error, I'd venture to say most people learned that way or at least had a buddy or neighbor show them the ropes.

Check out your local community college for classes. Nothing wrong with trial and error, I'd venture to say most people learned that way or at least had a buddy or neighbor show them the ropes.

I have been doing the trial and error thing for a couple years now, but I really want to learn to lay down some professional beads without wasting a bunch of material. I have checked the local community colleges, but the only welding classes they offer are part of a full on auto shop class, which I don't need.

what part of the socal are you in?

While taking machinist classes at PCC...Pasadena City College... I visited the welding lab and it looked good.

what part of the socal are you in?
I work in Monrovia and live in Alta Loma, next to Rancho Cucamonga. So I would prefer something in between if possible.
While taking machinist classes at PCC...Pasadena City College... I visited the welding lab and it looked good.
I'll have to look into that, but it's kinda the wrong direction for me. But still a possibility. Thanks!

I am interested in taking a good welding class myself. Keep it posted if you find a class.

i know rcc offers welding classes but they are in riverside, next i was going to suggestion the fab school but they are in riverside.

mt sac aint far and last i heard they offered welding

sbvc:http://www.valleycollege.edu/eSchedule/Online/Schedule/V/2009SM/Welding_Technology.html

Check for ROP programs locally. ROP is Regional Occupational Programs, I know they offer welding in San Diego, it's free, you pay for material I think.

VVC has a very good, in depth set of welding classes. They have classes for MIG, TIG, SMAW, and Oxy welding and brazing. I have learned a lot from the classes I have taken so far, and the best part, they are pretty cheap!!

what is VVC? Victorville???


VVC has a very good, in depth set of welding classes. They have classes for MIG, TIG, SMAW, and Oxy welding and brazing. I have learned a lot from the classes I have taken so far, and the best part, they are pretty cheap!!

Hey fellas,

I know its a drive from where you are at, but Cerritos College has the best welding program going in the State!

Here is a program outline:

http://cms.cerritos.edu/browse/browse.asp?WID=200315&DID=200372

Here is their course offerings:

http://cms.cerritos.edu/welding/

I went through their 5 semester TIG night school program. Aerospace certifications in both aluminum and stainless in all positions. The students that go through the program have been picked up instantly for work at a few local big name aerospace fabrication facilities that work with the college and make regular donations of materials in turn for a steady flow of welders. The program received a grant last year and purchased 21 Miller Dynasty 350's for the TIG program. :eek:Thats right, 21 $7,000 machines which students get a crack at the 2nd night of class. No material fees.

I picked up a L.A. City Structural Welding License for Stick and NR232 too. Working on Pipe certs right now. The instructors are being switched around for next semester to make up for cutbacks so no telling who you'll get, but they are all good.

Most of the classes get full quick. If you can transfer classes you may have taken years ago somewhere else for anything it will bump you up the list as they take those with the most units first. I've met people in class that have came from south O.C., all over L.A., San Berdu, and Riverside.

Good Luck, J.D.

Orange coast college in costa mesa has a good program as well.

Sorry, I guess I should have made that clear. VVC= Victor Valley College. A lot of people up here in the desert go there. I have also heard a lot of people bash it because it is a community college. VVC has a lot to offer, they even have an extreme on and off road suspension class.

I have taken the intro to welding, and now I am in the SWAW (arc) class. Even though I have been welding for a couple years, I learned a lot even in the intro class. The courses are usually 8 weeks, 2 days a week for 4 hours, all depending on which sememster you take them in.

Check for ROP programs locally. ROP is Regional Occupational Programs, I know they offer welding in San Diego, it's free, you pay for material I think.

What Todd said is true. ROP is an excellent program. I did unlimited plate cert through them 25 years ago.

Had a friend do the Mt Sac deal about 10 years ago and he said it was good. there is also a class in Covina off of citrus right around the police building that I heard is really good to but more money.

I am currently going to the welding school in covina. I go to the Sat. morning class, 8am to 12pm, and drive out from Lake Elsinore every week. It cost $75 a semester and that pays for everything minus your certs. You are started off with stick, 6010 to weed out all the quiters, then move on to 7018 and once you finish you structural cert you can do whatever the heck you want. I'm finishing up my structural mig right now. There is absolutely no book work and you start welding from day 1. Now the hard part, all the unions send apprentices to the school and they only allow a limited number of students into the class, so getting in is hard.

Alright now anyone interested, pay attention because the timing is very good right now. This Saturday is registration, I believe it starts at 8am but you have to get there early, I showed up at 2 a.m. and I was the 4th person in line and they only took 7 people for the am class. There is another class on saturdays from noon to 4 pm. The schools name is Tri Community Welding Center and it is part of the Covina School District adult education program. If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll send you the head instructors phone number.

WOW! I seriously didn't think I would get this many responses! Thanks for all the info guys! Keep em coming!

Yeah, welding is one of those buzz topics among most of us.

I am currently going to the welding school in covina. I go to the Sat. morning class, 8am to 12pm, and drive out from Lake Elsinore every week. It cost $75 a semester and that pays for everything minus your certs. You are started off with stick, 6010 to weed out all the quiters, then move on to 7018 and once you finish you structural cert you can do whatever the heck you want. I'm finishing up my structural mig right now. There is absolutely no book work and you start welding from day 1. Now the hard part, all the unions send apprentices to the school and they only allow a limited number of students into the class, so getting in is hard.

Alright now anyone interested, pay attention because the timing is very good right now. This Saturday is registration, I believe it starts at 8am but you have to get there early, I showed up at 2 a.m. and I was the 4th person in line and they only took 7 people for the am class. There is another class on saturdays from noon to 4 pm. The schools name is Tri Community Welding Center and it is part of the Covina School District adult education program. If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll send you the head instructors phone number.


this is the one I was thinking of, very good from what I hear.

I think this is the one I will look into. I also want to take an offroad suspension class. I would love that..


Sorry, I guess I should have made that clear. VVC= Victor Valley College. A lot of people up here in the desert go there. I have also heard a lot of people bash it because it is a community college. VVC has a lot to offer, they even have an extreme on and off road suspension class.

I have taken the intro to welding, and now I am in the SWAW (arc) class. Even though I have been welding for a couple years, I learned a lot even in the intro class. The courses are usually 8 weeks, 2 days a week for 4 hours, all depending on which sememster you take them in.

I've heard some not so good things about the fab school. I think the community college would be a good way to go. I took regular and advanced vocational classes back in high school, but often go years without welding. I find that staying in good practice makes a big difference, I suck when I'm rusty but do decent after some practice. My long time friend that took the same classes welds frequently at work and at home and is way better than me.

yeah, I just want to be able to weld up brackets and make mounts and stuff for my rig. I have a friend that does all the good stuff for me. I would love to learn the theory behind the technique as well as the technique. I only own a little wire feed as of now. Not even gas shielded

This won't be of much help to the OP, but for others looking to learn to weld in "so Cal", and since it's a big place -Ventura and West LA counties more specifically ;)

the Simi Valley Adult School has a great work at your own pace welding program. You can do whichever type you want and work towards whatever cert you want, and then test when you are ready, not when at a "set interval" or semester driven timeline.

:usa:

This won't be of much help to the OP, but for others looking to learn to weld in "so Cal", and since it's a big place -Ventura and West LA counties more specifically ;)

the Simi Valley Adult School has a great work at your own pace welding program. You can do whichever type you want and work towards whatever cert you want, and then test when you are ready, not when at a "set interval" or semester driven timeline.

:usa:

Now that's what I'm looking for, just a little farther East...

Check out COC college of the canyons in Santa Clarita california they have the best classes in the southwest. I have been in class there since 2007 and I have certs for aws and la city. This is the best shop I have ever seen and you need to drive up and just walk through this schools shop. The instructors are also able to test for aws and la city in all aspects of welding. one other thing the girls that go here are HOT. this school was voted the best for hot girls

I am currently going to the welding school in covina. I go to the Sat. morning class, 8am to 12pm, and drive out from Lake Elsinore every week. It cost $75 a semester and that pays for everything minus your certs. You are started off with stick, 6010 to weed out all the quiters, then move on to 7018 and once you finish you structural cert you can do whatever the heck you want. I'm finishing up my structural mig right now. There is absolutely no book work and you start welding from day 1. Now the hard part, all the unions send apprentices to the school and they only allow a limited number of students into the class, so getting in is hard.

Alright now anyone interested, pay attention because the timing is very good right now. This Saturday is registration, I believe it starts at 8am but you have to get there early, I showed up at 2 a.m. and I was the 4th person in line and they only took 7 people for the am class. There is another class on saturdays from noon to 4 pm. The schools name is Tri Community Welding Center and it is part of the Covina School District adult education program. If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll send you the head instructors phone number.


this is the same one i go to.

its cheap and you pretty much get to do whatever you want.
all machines are top of the line millers and lincolns

how can you beat the price idk how you pay 75 i pay 120 a semester and i go on mon and wed nights from 7 till 10 and i weld non stop and all material is provided all you have to buy is your saftey equipment

i didnt see it list but wizard fab school is down in that area isnt it. he came here for a while and seemed straight up.

Any new info? I think I just missed the Cerritos college sign in.

this is the same one i go to.

its cheap and you pretty much get to do whatever you want.
all machines are top of the line millers and lincolns

how can you beat the price idk how you pay 75 i pay 120 a semester and i go on mon and wed nights from 7 till 10 and i weld non stop and all material is provided all you have to buy is your saftey equipment

I also took this class in covina and I believe it was 120/semester. The instructors are great and you work at your own pace I did 6010 7018 and they let me play around on the tig and mig welders as well.

How is Joe Velosa and Erv doing?

Give this guy a call. Can certify you in just about any type of welding.
Randy at Welding Service Co, (909)390-9899. He is just north of Ontario Auto Center on the east side of the 15 and just south of the 10.

Thanks for that info

riverside city collage used to have a good class for certifications at moreno valley high school a couple nights a week

bob

www.extremewheelers4christ.org

There was a company in Ontario, Ca that was teaching a welding class, basic, mig, tig and it was a 2 or 3 week class 6pm-9pm Mon-thru it cost around $800. It was a bit pricey (the reason i never went) but it looked top notch. I will look for the paper that had all the info. I had meet the instructor about 8 years ago and he was doing microscopic (sp) welding on gears for compaines all over the world. I don't know if he was still doing it but i will check.

I think drnut and I are talking about the same guy. He is in business and teaching. He showed me samples of that microscopic stuff, crazy stuff!

I didn't read the whole thread but I took a class in Covina. It was a decent class and gave lots of time to mess around and practice and the teacher was very helpful. They have like 3 classes a week. Mon wed and sat I believe. It was pretty cheap too. It was thru tri community adult education. Hope that helps.