About

BARN member: $50
Non-member: $55
Open to 14 years and older

Get an introduction to a welding process that gives you more control over weld quality than you can get with some other welding methods.

This class will focus on gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as  tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. It is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area is protected from atmospheric contamination by an inert shielding gas (argon or helium), and a filler metal is normally used, though some welds, known as autogenous welds, do not require it. A constant-current welding power supply produces electrical energy, which is conducted across the arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapors known as a plasma.

This type of welding is often used to join thin sections of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals, including aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys.

In this Safety and Basic Use class, you will learn how to:

• Safely operate the TIG welding machine.
• Prepare metal and perform basic weld beads on mild steel with the TIG welder.
  

A $15 materials fee is payable to the instructor the day of the class. All equipment and materials provided. The class is suitable for beginners.

INSTRUCTOR: Jeremy Loerch, owner of Monkeywrench Fabrication LLC, is an experienced metal fabricator and teacher who makes everything from ornamental ironwork and lighting fixtures to custom motorcycles. He uses a wide array of tools and techniques, including turning on a lathe, forming sheet metal, blacksmithing, and welding. His welding expertise includes TIG, MIG, oxyacetylene, stick/arc, and flux. He also does plasma cutting, oxyacetylene cutting, brazing and gas soldiering.