learning body work

wikdsvt

wikdsvt

Club Member
I think I want to learn how to do body work. not as a career, but as a hobby, so i can work on my own cars in the non-existent free time that I have.

I live in Milford. Do any of the community colleges have a body shop program? what about any tech schools in the area? Obviously, I will have to go part time and begin at the beginning as in "learn how to weld" and go from here.
 
I heard Baker has a good program on the East Side. Anyone go there? Been wanting to learn how to paint...

-Geoff
 
WhiteHawk said:
I heard Baker has a good program on the East Side. Anyone go there? Been wanting to learn how to paint...

-Geoff
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They might be good. I hear their STEM programs are pretty much crap, but the rest of what they offer is supposed to be good.
 
I know Schoolcraft has a welding course. My Dad took it several years ago in retirement and really enjoyed it.
 
wikdsvt said:
where?
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I'd check with the community colleges in your area. I know MCC has a pretty good autotech department. Ive wanted to take some welding classes there but haven't had much free time to dedicate to it.

As far as learning how to do paint and bodywork...I'd personally just buckle down and jump in and do it if you really want to learn. There are plenty of forums around that can answer all of your questions as you go.

Knowing the correct process is the main thing, and knowing what materials you need for a specific project is key. That can be summed up pretty easily for the DIY guy. Doing the labor portion and "learning" just takes time with the tools. I'm not sure paying for a class and getting limited exposure to it in a class filled with other students will really do anymore for you than just picking the tools up and giving it a go.

Mark468 went through the baker college for autobody, maybe you can PM him and get his opinions on the whole deal.
 
orangejuiced86 said:
As far as learning how to do paint and bodywork...I'd personally just buckle down and jump in and do it if you really want to learn. There are plenty of forums around that can answer all of your questions as you go.

Knowing the correct process is the main thing, and knowing what materials you need for a specific project is key. That can be summed up pretty easily for the DIY guy. Doing the labor portion and "learning" just takes time with the tools. I'm not sure paying for a class and getting limited exposure to it in a class filled with other students will really do anymore for you than just picking the tools up and giving it a go.

Mark468 went through the baker college for autobody, maybe you can PM him and get his opinions on the whole deal.
Click to expand...

This.
 
I contacted Baker in Auburn Hills about a welding program this past March. Just like Mark, I want to just learn to be a better welder and it isn't going to be my profession. Just to get into the welding part, I would have had to take several pre-requisites even before I got to turn on a welder. English is one of the pre-requisites but since I already have a degree I would be allowed to test out of it. All in all, the classes would have cost $3,000+ and 2 years...

I understand practice is one of the keys to be a better welder, but if you (me) keep making the same mistakes over and over and don't know how to fix them, then you'll never be a good welder......

I just want to know the basics and while some theory and reasoning is good to know, but English isn't required for me to be a better welder. These classes are geared for you to get a degree in welding and not for the casual welder....

Just my .02....grr
 
I took three welding classes at Macomb Community College on the East Side. They were cheap, even for out of district it was only $200-$300 for a 16 week class meeting once a week at night. The instructor was all over the place, showed us some stupid videos, and gave us a couple random written tests. Other than that, we spent about 50% of our time in the lab welding. The intro class was stick and torch. Second was Mig, third was Tig. A buddy of mine took the intro class a year alter though and hated it. It depends who you get. I would recommend not getting your expectations too high though.

-Geoff
 
If you're truly interested check out Washtenaw C.C. I have a few contacts over there and I also have a few employees going there now. It's not really a "pick it up quick" hobby though. I wish there were more younger folks going into the field, not enough body techs, plenty of "painters" though. Pre-madonna Painters like OJ :lol:
 
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