12 Days of Deals: See Thread Expired

Project Farm rated these as very poor.

Average cost at a community college would be around $7000 plus equipment fee ($500 to $1500). Even the most basic training will cost around $3000. Proper degree certifications cost anywhere between 15K to 40K (even more) because certification expects you to know everything like underwater welding etc. So, it is not worth if this is just going to be a hobby.

Optionally, picking a simple welder, and, learning from YouTube videos is doable but at your own risk.

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfr...raincheck/

"The coupon said while supplies last so normally we wouldn't do a rain check but basically every store sold through them so fast that HF sent out an email around lunch time that because of how many stores were sold out so quickly so they said we can write rainchecks for them now."

As usual everything in life is YMMV

Just buy your batteries from Costco when they go on sale. I would avoid sticking cheap batteries into any expensive ($50+) electronics.

Optionally, picking a simple welder, and, learning from YouTube videos is doable but at your own risk.

My comment was in relation to my previous comment. I don't know what kind of community college you have, but a local CC near me is $46/unit. A 3 unit intro to welding course is $150, metallurgy $150, specific type welding $150, which is everything a hobbyist should need, and nowhere close to even $3k. You don't have to take a complete 18-24 month program. I've also found local off-site CC extensions to be even better for lower instructor to student ratios. I have to assume your "average cost" of $7k+ is certification/complete CC programs, of which nobody on this thread is probably searching for, given it's yet another HF shill thread.

As for youtube, I've watched my share and continue to do so, but I've found when it comes to detailed trades like this and getting things right, even for a hobbyist, nothing beats hands on with a professional looking over your shoulder, helping one gain and retain knowledge, rather than the general information transfer from youtube. Obviously the sacrifice is time and some additional money. But I understand most people don't want to do that these days. Guess I'll just go outside yell at the clouds.

How's the US General Cart on sale tomorrow?

I also thought CC only charges $46 per unit so it is cheap. However you have to read in full details, here is what a CC near me says -

a) Tuition for the California Community College system is $46 per unit.

b) For metal fabrication certificate of achievement (note : its not a degree or diploma !!!), a Students will need 39.5-42 units of completion for this certificate, or a total of $1817-1932 in tuition costs.

c) Additional costs are for the Materials and for the Health fee, Student ID, parking pass, etc. Total Estimated for fees and materials: $477.46. Cost of books is extra and it is variable since there are several books recommended by the CC

d) The Welding Technology certificate requires all students to have their materials prepared and purchased by the second week of classes. In addition, Technology Requirements are A Dell Precision laptop (or equivalent) or Desktop (8 GB and 500 GB storage) with Microsoft Windows 10 Operating Systems

e) Each Welding and Fabrication certificate is designed to deliver 3-4 courses for a total of 12- 15.5 units, over a period of nine to eighteen weeks for each course. Typical this can occur over a two-semester period.


So, even though its only $46 per unit, it is kind of misleading to think that you can simply pay for one or two units and learn the basics. You have to take admission to one of their certificate course, and the above cost breakdown is given on their website.

Yep. And what you quickly learn is if you're not certifying, many of those costs can go down.

Looks like Elk Grove CA is cheaper than other places, but for everyone's benefit, please do let us know how much you paid once you complete it.