Took the beginners tig welding class with Bill yesterday. He's great and really knows his stuff. Does a great job of teaching. Lots of 1 on 1 time and having never welded anything before (I work in front of a computer all day), it helped me understand a lot quickly. He was always on it with guidance and what I can do to improve in real time as I'm welding (lifting too much, slow down, etc). Was absolutely a great experience and I will be taking his other classes once I can. He also gives great guidance on equipment, where to spend, options, gear, etc. Super helpful, very passionate. Great guy! If you're looking to learn how to weld, I'd absolutely recommend taking a class with him. Class sizes are kept really small so you get a ton of 1 on 1. read more

Gearhead Workshops - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

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First of all, I would like to say how rare a place like this is. I have lived in Los Angeles for about 5 years now and finding somewhere to work on your projects is a near impossible task in my experience. Space is extremely limited and organization can be frustrating, but I haven't found another place like this. There are tons of machines; but it's a DIY shop, so the member needs to be familiar with the equipment they are using. If you choose the membership route, I would recommend budgeting time (at least 30 minutes) to cleaning up before/ after your project. Bill (owner) is an excellent resource and always makes time to answer questions, even when he is not at the shop. I highly recommend taking one of his welding classes, or becoming a member and finishing that project your SO has been bugging you about! read more

I took the welding class and I have to say Bill Needham is a phenomenal teacher. I had zero experience in welding, and he gave me the confidence to learn with his patience and experience. read more

Had a very enjoyable time in the beginning MIG welding class. Bill is an excellent instructor and great communicator. He has a deep understanding of the subject, as well as a really good grasp on how to positively motivate students who may become easily discouraged by not obtaining instant perfection (or something approaching it) in their early efforts. The shop is very well equipped, offering a wide variety of equipment and tools, allowing students to find what really works best for them. Even though we were all strangers, the environment in the workshop fostered comradery between the students, creating an instant support group. I definitely plan on taking additional classes in the future! read more

Just finished Bill's Motorcycle Survival workshop. Loved the class. Bill is a huge wealth of knowledge and experience (like 50+ years). He practically had an answer to everything and explained it in a coherent, fundamental, well-paced way everyone in the class could understand. You can tell he loves to teach and it's not about making a quick buck for him. He's an incredible resource and also extremely welcoming. I'm a fairly new rider, don't know much about vehicle systems, and also am not mechanically inclined. After class I still wouldn't be able to become a mechanic because I think that takes years of training and experience, but I definitely am more knowledgeable and have a basic understanding of how my motorcycle works. Most of the class was lecture style, we had a couple hands on demonstrations. What makes this class special is his way of explaining things, that he has real world motorcycle parts you can hold in your hand, he can answer your questions in a thorough manner, and that you have the beginnings of a support system for future motorcycle work/projects/advice. Definitely want to take his Engine rebuilding class one day and also do some work out of his shop! Great class! read more

The class was very informative starting with type of welding, strength of the different techniques MiG, Tig and Stick. The difference between wire fed with gas vs stick and or flux core wire. As well as the different in machines and the settings for wire size, speed and amps/volts. Also went over welding flat, vertical and techniques. Bill the instructor is very knowledgeable, thorough and detailed and covered everything I wanted to know and more. Very satisfied with the class and would totally recommend to anyone interested in learning to weld. read more

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I took the beginners TIG welding class and thoroughly enjoyed it. Bill is incredibly patient and passionate about teaching all he has to offer. Each 2.5 hour class flew by and I left feeling confident enough to continue practicing on my own. Bill offered advice on how to correct challenges I was having based on his own experiences when he was learning to weld. Bill let us know he was always available to answer any questions. I would strongly recommend taking this class if you are interested. read more

I'm so glad I came across these workshops! I've been working on classics and hot rods for ages and have always had metal shops and welders handle that work for me. I got to the point where I really felt like learning this was necessary for these builds. I actually had started looking just before the pandemic hit and everything was shut down so a few years later I started Yelping and came across Bill's classes. Bill, as others have mentioned, is a wealth of knowledge. Not only that but he's an incredible teacher and that can't be said for everyone who's a master at their craft. I signed up for the Sunday MIG class and there were just a handful of students. This was great because it gave us a lot of hands on time, question time, and hands on practice. By the end of the class you'll be welding a variety of pieces and try different best practices. After the course I felt confident to tackle some work at home but am going to sign up for the TIG course soon. What I think is really incredible is that I've been in contact with Bill after the class. I've been able to ask questions about purchasing my welding set up, general questions, and tool set up. He's been so helpful in getting up and going at home. I find that so unique in a class and instructor. Definitely worth the investment in your skillset and a great person to learn from! read more

Awesome Intro to TIG Welding class with Bill. I highly recommend taking one of his classes. He is a wealth of information and experience and is a very patient teacher. I will be taking another class with him as soon as my schedule opens up. read more

Just finished up the MIG I workshop and had an absolute blast. Our teacher, Bill, is so knowledgeable and manages to keep the atmosphere fun and light. I walked out more confident in my abilities and he lets us know the realities of welding which is very insightful. Absolutely worth the money and time and will be taking more classes there soon. read more

Bill is a great teacher with such an array of experience. If you can dream it Bill has probably made something like it or parts of it so nothing you want to make is outside the realm of possibilities. He is also very patient and teaches you to be patient with yourself as you learn. Especially in the welding class. I took welding for creatives and learned the basics of TIG welding. It was challenging for me but with more practice and patience with myself I know I can learn it and do it well. I am going to take more classes with them. Patrick the assistant teacher is also amazing and would highly recommend classes by him as well. read more

I've learned to gas, stick, and MIG weld, but always wanted to learn TIG. I have physical issues that make it more difficult, but Bill was full of great ideas on how to make it work. I have since taken advanced TIG (highly recommended) and have become comfortable with the process. Now it's just a matter of practice. Great classes!!! read more

I came across the Mig welding class when I was trying to brush up on welding through YouTube. I get the concept and made two pieces of metal stick together before but it wasn't pretty and comes with a lot of grinding ..... I was really happy that I took the course course because having the instant feed back as little as trying different hand placement or down to scoring the area you are preparing to weld was great. The instructor to student ratio plus Bills life long experience and knowledge on welding and metal fab gave me the confidence and reps during the class. Thanks Bill and I'll see you again when I level up to MiG read more

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I want to get better at making things, and I've always wanted to learn how to weld (among other things). Bill's MIG welding class was a perfect place to start. Just enough theory to understand a bit of what you're doing and how the equipment works, and how not to get hurt. After that, it was all practice. The second session is where most of the fun happens, and it's extremely satisfying to see yourself improve just in a few short hours. Bill is a great instructor. Patient, supportive, and super experienced, and he adapts his teaching to each student's level. I will be coming back for more classes in the future for sure. TIG welding is next. Highly recommended. read more

I was looking online for a place I could learn how to weld in just a few hours of class time when I stumbled upon Gearhead Workshops. I applied for a MIG welding class and after taking I can say it was one of the best experiences I've had as a student. The teacher, Bill, was a fantastic guy with lots of motivation and enthusiasm. He did not have many students in the class(4), but was completely invested in the success of each and every one. He was always happy to help and always knew exactly what was wrong. The class was a unforgettable experience, and made me a decent welder in just a few hours. read more

Gearhead Workshops - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

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I just finished a month-long 1 day a week motorcycle maintenance and repair workshop with Bill who runs this group. I gotta tell you, it's one of the best classes I've ever taken. I highly recommend it. Bill is a great guy and a great teacher. He is a kind and deeply knowledgeable man who can teach you how a motorcycle works and how you can repair and maintain yours properly. As a fan of the physics behind the bikes I especially enjoyed how Bill distills complex knowledge into easy to understand sentences. You would definitely be doing yourself a favor by taking one of his classes. read more

I signed my son up for MIG welding class. He loved it! Highly recommends! He now knows enough to practice on his own. Thank you!

Bill is an amazing teacher and guide if you want to learn to weld. I had never welded before and he helped me get used to, and understand, the real world feel for it. Highly recommended! read more

Had a great time at the MIG intro class. Very informative and lots of one on one instruction. It has been years since I've welded and this really helped to make me feel like I can weld again. Lots of practice during the class and actually had some nice beads! I'll be back for the TIG class read more

Gearhead Workshops - My practice welds - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

I'm an automotive hobbyist who was looking to learn TIG welding. I really enjoyed and definitely improved my skills from the instruction. Bill has a large shop that will blow your mind with all the different tools, machines, and workstations. He is a great instructor and pays close attention to students and explains fundamentals and basics very well. I had a great experience, and I plan to return for multiple sessions. Here's a pic of my work. I'm still a beginner! read more

Gearhead Workshops - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

MIG welding class with Bill was great. My brother and I had no previous welding experience but by the end of the class felt very confident in not only ourselves but the process. Bill was very good at explaining each step of the process in a cohesive way so that we were always feeling in control. I've also signed up for the TIG class next week. read more

Gearhead Workshops - One of my welds at the end of the class - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

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I just finished my 4 week course on engine rebuilding with Bill and I must say the class was amazing, I learned so much in 4 weeks. Bill's a great teacher, very patient and knowledgeable. If you're looking to learn about the inner workings of an engine, I highly recommend this class. Now I'm ready to tear apart my own engine at home. read more

Gearhead Workshops - Engine rebuilding - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

I took the engine rebuiding class and it was excellent. The instructor/owner Bill is extremely knowledgeable and has a lifetime of experience, very friendly and has interesting anecdotes to add to the lessons. My skill level is amateur/hobbyist and I wanted to rebuild an old harley engine with my own two hands, but I needed advice and the experienced eye of someone who actually knows what they are doing. I got everything I was looking for from the class and Bill even put up with my endless annoying questions about every little part of the engine. I really enjoyed it and even made some good friends in the class. If I lived a little bit closer I would probably join the maker space as a member. If you're reading this considering a class I'd say its worth it. read more

Gearhead Workshops - Engine class - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

I had no experience with welding before the MIG class and TIG class I took but I learned a lot and came home with some nice welds. The teacher is very helpful and my ability improved a lot in a short amount of time, so I highly recommend to anyone considering one of the classes. read more

I took Bill's MIG welding class and it was fantastic. Bill gives you a technical foundation in welding, advises on equipment and protective gear, and then guides everyone through making different types of welds. I got lot's of hands on practice making different types of welds, tried various welding machines, and received lots of 1-on-1 instruction and guidance. Bill's a great teacher, his lectures are captivating and fun. He is generous with this knowledge and experience, is very encouraging, and is great communicator. I highly recommend taking this class if you want to incorporate welding into your practice. read more

I had the best time learning some welding basics. Bill is super knowledgeable and a very patient teacher. I will definitely be back for more! read more

I took a Saturday MIG welding class with Bob Needham as the instructor and it was a great experience. The small class size was perfect for getting feed back on what I was doing wrong, and what I was doing right. Bill's teaching style is focuses on the positive and he very good at communicating those small tips that help the student grow. Everything was provided so there is no need to bring anything. I highly recommend Bob's class and I am planning on signing up for a TIG welding class soon. read more

I took the MIG welding class a few weeks ago and it was fantastic. Bill is a patient, encouraging and extremely knowledgable teacher. The class was a perfect mix of theory and practical experience and being able to receive instant attention and feedback made me progress all the more further and faster. 100% recommend this class for anyone who wants to learn how to weld or improve the welding skills they already have. read more

Took the MIG and rolled right into the TIG! So glad I found this place! I've always wanted to learn how to weld and have had a need to weld, having old cars and motorcycles. This place was right under my nose and turned out to be the best place to learn how to weld. Lots of instruction and, thanks to the limited size classes, there is a great of individualized instructions. You cant get lost in the back row of the class here! Well worth it, especially if you don't have time for weeks of instruction and you are more of a "hands on" learner! read more

This is a great class for all lever riders and mechanics!! Bill is great at pointing out the finer and often overlooked details needed to keep a motorcycle running at peak performance. I highly recommend taking this course and it is well worth it! read more

Gearhead Workshops - Makerspaces Near Me - Harbor City, California

Bill is so full of knowledge. He's like a walking book motorcycle repair. I took the survival class and learned a lot. I already signed up for the engine rebuild class! If you're looking to gain experience learning and wrenching on bikes. This is a great program for you. read more

A great resource for anyone who owns motorcycles,is interested in motorcycle, or wants to increase their knowledge of engines and their support systems. Bill Needham is a wealth of knowledge on motorcycle engines and a great instructor! He really breaks down the everything that relates to the different system that you are learning about and all the information around that system from how it works, the other systems it interacts with, repair, maintenance, etc. I have taken the engine class and the maintenance course and I found both very informative and have already used what I learned in this course to diagnose and correct some issues on my 16yr old sport bike. I will definitely be taken another class with Bill at GearHead Workshops! Probably the welding corse next. read more

I just took the Tig Welding class at Gearhead Workshops and am so very glad I did! To start with, Bill is an exceptional teacher with extensive knowledge that he passes on to his students in an easy to understand manner. His setup at each station is fantastic and the equipment is all water cooled Tig machines! He is very hands on, and really is with you to observe how you are applying what has been thoroughly discussed - and guides you along with expert advice he gives to you based on what he is closely watching you do. I am beyond happy with what I have gotten from his instruction and look forward to the next time I get to work with him. If you're thinking about where to go to learn Tig welding (or Mig for that matter too)...think no more. Gearhead Workshops is your answer! read more

I went and took the beginning tig class. Learned about some great starter mechines and equipment. Learning the techniques i can go home and practice was invaluable. If you want to learn to tig this is the place. read more

I recently completed the intro to Tig welding with Bill. This was a great experience covering the science and process behind making welds with great analogies to grasp the concepts and techniques. I really appreciated the classroom examples breaking down the steps and felt prepared and comfortable when we sat down to run some beads! I really feel like I have the core techniques and understanding to continue to progress in my metal work thanks to Bill's knowledge and patience! read more

I just took the TIG welding class last week, and I really wish I had done it a long time ago! This class gave me tons of one-on-one attention that allowed me to understand the process quickly. Bill is an amazing teacher with a wealth of knowledge and patience. Once he gets you welding, he spends a lot of time analyzing your work and showing you what you did right, and what to do so you can improve. This is waaaay better than just watching youtube videos, which give you information, but no hands on experience. The direct and personal feedback was invaluable, and there is no way I would have understood what I do now by just watching videos. Another good thing is that I had the opportunity to try a few different helmets. Having this opportunity was a great way to better understand which helmet was right for me, as there is no real way to do this unless you actually use them. If you want to learn how to weld, don't hesitate and sign up for this class! read more

Awesome! I learnt a lot and gain confidence in tinkering through the "Surviv­al Course in Motorcycle - Entry level". Bill is super knowledgeable and clear in its explanations. I really don't regret taking this course, it is very worth the price. read more

Just finished my class yesterday, and I couldn't be happier with Bill and his program. A master mechanic with many years under his belt, Bill distills that knowledge down into 5 classes designed to take away the mystery of all things mechanical. He breaks the bike down into component systems and discusses what can go wrong, what to look for and most importantly how to fix it yourself. From changing fluids to pulling and cleaning your carbs, changing your clutch or tackling an electrical issue, Bill gives you the understanding and confidence to tackle these and other tasks, saving you money and giving you the comfort of knowing the job was done right. The best part is, you become part of this community of gearheads who have taken the course, and share a passion that you have as well. And Bill is always available to offer advice, give you a refresher or even do some one-on-one teaching to help you with a specific project you might feel is over your head. I'm so glad I found this course! read more

I took the intro to mig welding going in with no knowledge other than what I had seen while searching YouTube. Bill is very knowledgeable and a great teacher he explains everything in detail. Another great thing is that his classes are always really small so he really has time to watch and critique your skills to help you become better! I was very happy to have taken this class and would recommend to anyone interested in welding read more

I wanted to drop a yelp to express my extreme satisfaction regarding this class. It was much more than I expected, both from a practical as well as academic perspective. The instruction contextualized the evolution of the systems covered, explained the function, appearance and variation of the parts and functions, and gave real world, understandable advice as to most common problems and fixes. Since the class, I've had the occasion to wrench on my bike as well as have it serviced at a dealer (warranty), and in both cases I felt much more familiar, comfortable and empowered in the endeavor. On top of the practicality, I found a great appreciation for the internal combustion motor as an amazing invention and a constantly improving human endeavor. Bill's same appreciation really shows and animates the explanation of the complex yet simple systems in the motor. I unconditionally recommend the class to anyone interested in motorcycles, automobiles or technical endeavors generally. The cost of the class is remarkably small given the amount and quality of the time involved, as well as the generous attitude in instruction. read more