Skip,
Don't know why it's so expensive here. Perhaps because this is a very small place and there is only one machine / welding shop in the area. They have the market cornered.
I took them the large piece with two broken places and they quoted me $70.00 to weld the two places. I want it done, but haven't been able to put the money back for that yet.
As for schools, I'll check it out. But I doubt there's any that teach things around here other than rap, drugs, mugging, drive by shootings, and how to breed, claim welfare, wics, food stamps and pay for brand new Cadillacs.
Oh my, I'm being a bit sarcastic aren't I?
Joe