orton1966
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| posted on 21/4/09 at 08:25 PM |
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MK Engineering – Welder Training
Couldn’t think of anywhere on this site better to post this recommendation:
MK Engineering – Welder Training www.mkengineering.co.uk £60p/h
Martin, as I’m sure others on this site can testify, is a top bloke and very knowledgeable.
As for the specifics of the training: I’ve never personally enjoyed the fixed pace course type instruction offered in group environments as I always
feel they get dragged down to the lowest common denominator of the group and I get bored and loose concentration. So when I wanted to brush up on my
welding prior to starting my own project I opted for a couple of hours of one to one with Martin. I had done a very small amount of mig work about 20
years ago but had no confidence in my ability to do structural welding. Whilst after 2 hours I’m no expert I am confident I can now produce
structurally sound welds, what’s more he has given me the pointers needed to practice and improve further on my own.
Whilst I spent the majority of my time on the MIG, I was curious about the TIG process so within my two hour session I also managed some time tig’ing
both steal and alloy.
Whilst the welder training was exceptional value, picking his brains about things that will help me on my own project can only be described as
priceless!
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omega0684
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| posted on 21/4/09 at 10:50 PM |
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£60 p/h 
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MikeR
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| posted on 21/4/09 at 10:54 PM |
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I got a 14 week course, 3 hours a night, 6 or 7 in the class, each in individual bays with the instructor coming round all the time. Also he was about
before class to chat too and discuss stuff with.
Ended up with C&G qualification and I'm sure it didn't cost 2 hours of martins time.
Not claiming I learnt more in my 14 weeks ..... but it was continual learning and i got to practice stuff at home in between lessons + felt good value
to me.
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dhutch
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| posted on 21/4/09 at 11:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
I got a 14 week course, 3 hours a night, 6 or 7 in the class, each in individual bays with the instructor coming round all the time. Also he was about
before class to chat too and discuss stuff with.
Ended up with C&G qualification and I'm sure it didn't cost 2 hours of martins time.
Not claiming I learnt more in my 14 weeks ..... but it was continual learning and i got to practice stuff at home in between lessons + felt good value
to me.
Was that at the local collage? How much where you paying?
60p/hour seams worth a punt.
I did a 10week (20h) oxy-ace welding course during my GCSEs (6 years ago now) and then self taugh myself mig.
And then also last year a half day at work welding heavy gauge plate (8-10mm).
To that end i can do tollerable mig welds down to about 2/3mm steel, and slightly neater oxy-ace welds.
- But will im happy to mig on a few brackets to the trailer, im certainly not up for welding my own rollbar or chassis.
Daniel
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Paul (Notts)
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 05:29 AM |
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£90 for 15 two hour sessions at the local colledge.
so far have spent 2 sessions solidly stick welding -getting good at this.
last night started on the mig for 2 hours and will spend the next 4 hours on the mig
then on to te Tig
Paul
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orton1966
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 03:56 PM |
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Quality over quantity
I guess it all comes down to what’s important, welding I see as a means to an end and whilst I could have spent several weeks doing the
night-school-coarse gig that’s not for me, obviously it is for many and there are obviously social benefits from group learning.
I’m also happy to differentiate between learning and practice, I have my own welder so I can practice further at home, the pointers martin gave giving
me confidence to decide if I’m heading in the right direction or not.
As for picking his brains, this went way beyond welding especially as his current project is a zx12r midi and I am starting a 12r powered one off midi
project.
At the end of the day, value is relative, could I have had more training hours for my ££££ elsewhere, yes, would the quality have been better
elsewhere, I don’t believe so, would anywhere else have been as tailored to my needs, probably not.
So I paid my money and made my choice and for me it was the best value two hours I’ve had in a long time!
[Edited on 22/4/09 by orton1966]
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 04:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by orton1966
So I paid my money and made my choice and for me it was the best value two hours I’ve had in a long time!
[Edited on 22/4/09 by orton1966]
Guess you never been to Amsterdam then ?
Sorry couldn't resist, Martins a top bloke I have nothing but admiration for his skills. The guy as never done anything other than been helpful
well beyond the norm to me personally and I know for sure others to, if anything he is to "soft" for his own good at times.
He's to old and round to be riding that dirt bike though........
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mr henderson
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 06:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by omega0684
£60 p/h
I would pay that happily, if only he was a bit closer........
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 06:15 PM |
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Yea I thought about it a short while ago reading a post on piston heads, VX dealer quoting £90+ hour labour, brings it into prospective ?
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Peteff
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 06:19 PM |
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It's Martin's time, machinery and materials not subsidised by an education authority or local government so I think he is entitled to ask
what he wants and if people are willing to pay for his knowledge that is a good trade. While he's doing that he is not doing something else
which could be making him money unlike a college instructor who is being paid solely to teach a class ( usually very handsomely as well )
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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iank
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 08:02 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by omega0684
£60 p/h
My charge out rate 5 years ago was £160 per hour and I booked a solid 40 hours a week for 2 years to our main customer. Not that I saw anything like
that kind of money 
£60p/h for one-on-one personal tuition isn't extortionate IMO. Courses are always going to be cheaper, but less valuable.
To put in perspective main stealer hourly rate is higher than that for tin-top repairs.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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mr henderson
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| posted on 22/4/09 at 08:10 PM |
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Welding (and presumably a bit of fabrication etc) lessons from Martin Keenan would be like having a guitar lesson with David Gilmour, with him
providing the studio, guitars, amplifiers etc.
John
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