College restoration courses- go on one they area really good

Post by **chickenjohn** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:02 am

I've been meaning to make this post for a while- a big thumbs up to Oakwood park college Maidstone for their evening class restoration course. You can still join and do a part year on the foundation evening course. Monday nights and Thursday nights.

I've learnt so much on this course, now I'm back as an "advanced student" (read has done the foundation- not an implication of skill level), I've repaired rusty wings rather than just binning them and buying new. Learnt skills that have enables me to better shape and make my own repair panels and sections- make more of my own repair sections and shape them to fit.

The value of accuracy is one thing I learnt. All repair sections should be butt- welded in, much better than the laps I was doing before. Or plugged.

Gas welding is a pleasure to do.

The range equipment they have at the college is excellent, as is the access to materials- big sheets of steel of various grades, ali, zinc primer, filler etc and of course the expert help of the tutor who can sort out any problems.

All in all, excellent and I'd thoroughly reccommend anyone who is interested in restoration to go on a course, even if you've done a car or three it will be a real eye opener!

Post by **246gts** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:35 pm

Thanks for that John. I would love to go on such a course but am unaware of any local to me in Cheshire. Does anyone know of a list of colleges offering such courses.
Dave

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:26 am

All I can suggest to find a course is trawl through college sites on the web :-
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/universities ... eshire.cfm

Phone a college and ask them if they know of any such courses.
There must be one within reasonable driving distance. Mid- kent college is about 1 1/4- 1 1/2 hrs drive from me (depending on traffic and on which car I take) but its well worth the weekly trek.

Its enabled me to look at the "restoration" of my Minors in an entirely different light!

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:40 am

http://members.aol.com/restoredclassic/england.htm

try here also

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:50 am

I don't know how close in Cheshire you are to Liverpool, but here is a course I just found!
http://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/esp/result.as ... tion_id=34
Vehicle Body Repair (Evening Only)

Course Description

The course concentrates on the refurbishment of classic and cherished vehicles. All aspects of vehicle body repair and refurbishment are covered including replacement of panels, joining processes, preparation prior to refinishing and forming processes. The students are encouraged to work on components belonging to their own vehicles.

What the course can lead to

Units towards City & Guilds Progression Awards Vehicle Body Repair.

Qualifications available

City & Guilds level 2 Units

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements. Tutors will discuss details of the course with you to make sure that it is suitable.

When the course is available

This course runs in the evening for 3 hours per week, 36 weeks per year and will take 1 year to complete.

How to apply

Direct contact with tutor or through Learner Services. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.liv-coll.ac.uk.
Click here to apply on-Line

Fee Details

All courses have a fee attached to them. Some learners may qualify for a fee reduction of either 100% or 80% depending on their personal circumstances or age. If you qualify for a reduction you will be asked to make a contribution to the college fund.

Location/Tutor
Vauxhall Road, Howard McLeod, 0151 252 4712

Post by **246gts** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:31 am

Thanks for that John
I have tried to contact the tutor but he is on holiday so New Years Resolution No 1 is.....................
Thanks
Dave