Welding I & II

This semester course serves as a comprehensive introduction to the basics of structural steel welding with a little touch of art metal-working. Our primary goal for each student is to safely and competently handle all of the welding and cutting machines available in our shop for the purpose of building or repairing tools used in agriculture, landscaping, or materials handling. Roughly thirty five specific skills are practiced, completed and evaluated for strength or correctness in the areas of Shielded Metal Arc, Gas Metal Arc, Flux core Arc, Oxyacetylene, Oxy-fuel cutting and Plasma Arc Cutting. Each laboratory skill reinforces the study guide materials for position welding and cutting. A “Steel Rose” project is used to introduce hot metal and blacksmithing work for those who complete the basic skills.

Earning a B or better in Welding 1, or with instructor permission, students may choose to take this welding course designed for those who are interested in pursuing welding or metal fabrication as a career, or need to continue to improve welding skills for agriculture or industrial repair. Along with learning “out of position” welding in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and OAW, students will learn to use the Gas Tungsten Arc machines for mild steel, stainless and aluminum, as well as learning braze welding techniques. We also use this course as an introduction to machining techniques with laboratory experiences on grinders, drill presses, milling machines and lathes. With an acceptable grade, and completion of a SMAW multi pass 7018 weld on 3/8 mild steel that passes the bend test, students can gain MATC credit in welding.