Metal and Minors! $180.

This is an intro class intended for complete beginners and novices.

Young adults and adolescents are often interested in welding. We are willing to teach clients between the ages of 13-15 if they are accompanied by a parent. 

This class is a kid+parent activity. Tickets are 1 per  each parent+kid pair. 

Kids 13 and up are welcome in this class, older kids can attend most of our classes, including welding  for noobs, so long as a parent signs a waiver on their behalf.

Class is three and a half hours. 

Please have a sketch or image or URL of a project you would like to make, complex designs may require additional sessions.  It is a good idea to have some kind of plan. Spoiler alert: Kids basically always want to make swords and weapons, some parental guidance may be required. 

A 2-d figure or figure with 20 or fewer components is a good idea. 

This is a fun sculpting class, it is as hands on and non-technical as it can possibly be. 

We will supply completely random scrap materials and 3/16th 1/4" rod and 16 guage sheet metal.  You are welcome to bring your own junk. Steel (magnetic) materials only please. 

We make absolutely no guarantee that you will complete a project of your own design in this class. If asked "how long will this project take?" we cannot reliably answer, we do not know your skill level, work drive, or what problems may be encountered. 

Welding is a great way to introduce the core concepts of electrical and mechanical engineering.  Welding is a safe, interesting and entertaining activity as well as a rewarding career path that is surprisingly unconstrained.

In this class, parent kid-teams will learn core concepts in metal. About 20-30% of the class will be lecture, the bulk of the class will be spent hands-on. We will be using a variety of MIG machines running a GMAW process.

We will discuss the following in a brief non-technical way:

Welding safety,  How the helmets work, electrical safety, personal protective gear, how to not touch hot metal.

MIG Machines; The basics of the GMAW welding process, Heat input, material input, shield gases.

Welding incorrectly; How NOT to weld, with demonstrations.

Welding correctly; The importance of posture, helmet maintainence, voltage and wire feed settings, shield gas coverage, torch angle and distance to work, heat input, material input, travel speeds and torch angle.

Having Fun with the machines; Tacking and welding, out of position welding.

We can also supply a variety of kits for clients to work with.

We will not be using angle grinders in this class.  We may use pedestal grinders and sanding equipment as these are safer.