3-Hour Taster: MIG Welding

3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. After a basic introduction to metal inert gas (MIG) welding, plasma cutting, and fabrication processes, create a small metal sculpture to take home. Take a Taster and meet new friends or give the gift of creativity to someone special.

3-Hour Taster: Stick Welding

3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. After a basic introduction to stick welding, try your hand at creating a welded, geometric paperweight to take home or give as a gift. Take a Taster and meet new friends or give the gift of creativity to someone special.

3-Hour Taster: TIG Welding

3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. After a basic introduction to Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding and fabrication processes, create a small metal sculpture to take home. Take a Taster and meet new friends or give the gift of creativity to someone special.

Exploring Welding

Can’t decide what type of welding to take? Explore the varied possibilities of oxy-acetylene, arc/stick, metal inert gas (MIG), and tungsten inert gas (TIG). You will get the chance to try all four, gaining an understanding of which type of welding is most appropriate for the projects you want to complete.

Metal Furniture Fabrication

Fabricate one-of-a-kind metal furniture for your home! Going beyond basic MIG welding, this course focuses on designing and fabricating functional and aesthetically interesting benches, coffee tables, flower stands, cabinets, wheeled furniture, shelves, coat racks, and just about any other piece of furniture you might like to fabricate. Projects will be evaluated for feasibility and cost, given the time frame. The Crucible has limited material available for students, and students are responsible for acquiring additional materials if their project requires it. Upon registration, The Crucible will provide a list of acceptable materials, sources, and suppliers. Be prepared to weld and cut on the first day as a review.

PREREQUISITE: MIG Welding I

MIG and TIG Welding Lab

Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided during lab sessions, but a lab monitor will be present to answer questions, manage safety, and provide overall support. You are free to come and go at your convenience during open lab hours, however you must provide your own materials.

PREREQUISITE: MIG Welding or TIG Welding I and Crucible membership

MIG Welding

MIG (metal inert gas) is the most common type of modern welding. It is a process by which a welding machine focuses electricity along a moving metal wire that is fed through a hose to a handheld torch. Student welders manipulate this torch as the electricity melts the wire and creates a weld. You will learn about the fundamentals of MIG welding, such as metallurgy, preparation, joints, technique, and safety. We will also cover plasma torch cutting. The class begins with a basic, technical welding exercise, then transitions into a small creative project.

Oxy-Acetylene Welding

Welding with heat produced by burning gases is one of the oldest methods of welding, dating back to ancient Greece. In this course, students will be introduced to the gas burning torch, learning to control gases and use heat to cut, braze, and weld steel. The class begins with a collection of technical exercises and finishes with a small creative project all in mild steel.

Sculpting with Steel

Learn how to weld steel sculptures in this creative skill-building & project-making class. Using the MIG Welder, the Plasma Cutter, and the Oxy/Acetylene Torch you will bring scrap metal (provided) to life. Create garden ornaments, wall hangings, freestanding art, or that puppy dog sculpture you’ve always wanted. Learn how easy it is to bend, cut, fold, or roll steel using our entry-level fabrication equipment and develop your feel for steel with instruction in hands-on techniques and power grinding and finishing tools. Three weeks of tool and skills instruction followed by five weeks of project building.

Stick Welding I

Learn to join pieces of metal using arc welding, also known as stick welding. Instructors teach you to slice through metal with the hot flame of an oxyacetylene torch, and to use power and hand tools to finish your work. You’ll make a small sculpture to take home.

Stick Welding II

In this course, students will learn advanced joints, welding positions, and techniques in arc welding and oxy-acetylene torch cutting to take their sculptural ideas to the next level. Students will also be introduced to new fabrication tools and finishing techniques to give their sculpture a more polished and professional appearance.

PREREQUISITE: ARC Welding I

TIG Welding I

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) or GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) is the type of welding commonly used for delicate work and non-ferrous metals. It uses an AC/DC power source, a non-consumable tungsten electrode, and inert gas to form an arc and create a weld. Using cold-rolled steel, this course starts with a series of small exercises and progresses into a challenging technical project, giving students a foundation in basic metallurgy, preparation, joints, technique, and safety.

TIG Welding II

This class expands on the basic skills taught in TIG Welding I. Students will be given a series of technical exercises designed to improve their focus and control, review joint types, positions, and beads, and introduce them to new fabrication tips and techniques. Students will venture into TIG welding other types of metals, with an emphasis on aluminum and stainless steel. This class prepares you to work on your own.

PREREQUISITE: TIG Welding I

Wind Chimes

Create your own welded wind chime! Students will weld a metal rectangular wind chime box, plasma cut their unique design on the sides, and hang steel chain, hooks, and cut metal pieces to create a unique and eye-catching wind chime. Then all you need is wind for a gorgeous visual and tonal work of art.

Women’s MIG Welding

Learn welding taught by women, for women! We will teach you the fundamentals of MIG welding and plasma torch cutting, including metallurgy, preparation, joints, technique, and safety—all the same skills and techniques as MIG Welding I, but in an all-female environment. Come with ideas for a simple project.

Women’s TIG Welding I

Learn welding taught by women, for women! TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) or GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) is the type of welding commonly used for delicate work and non-ferrous metals. It uses an AC/DC power source, a non-consumable tungsten electrode, and inert gas to form an arc and create a weld. Using cold-rolled steel, this course starts with a series of small exercises and progresses into a challenging technical project, giving students a foundation in basic metallurgy, preparation, joints, technique, and safety. This class is an inclusive, welcoming environment for women and gender-expansive individuals.

Youth Exploring Welding (ages 12-18)

Youth can explore three different types of welding: metal inert gas (MIG), arc/stick (ARC), and oxy-acetylene. During this introduction, students will gain an understanding of which type of welding is most appropriate for the projects they want to complete.

Youth MIG Welding (ages 12-18)

MIG (metal inert gas) is the most common type of modern welding. It is a process by which a welding machine focuses electricity along a moving metal wire that is fed through a hose to a handheld torch. Student welders manipulate this torch as the electricity melts the wire and creates a weld. You will learn about the fundamentals of MIG welding, such as metallurgy, preparation, joints, technique, and safety. We will also cover plasma torch cutting. The class begins with a basic, technical welding exercise and transitions into a small creative project.

Youth Stick Welding I (ages 12-18)

Learn to fuse, cut, bend, and shape metal. This intensive introduction to stick welding, also known as arc welding, and oxy-acetylene torch cutting is taught by a technical pro. In-depth demonstrations and guidance will be given on the safe and effective operation of welding equipment as instructors help you create a small welded sculpture or project.

Youth Stick Welding II (ages 12-18)

Dive deep in this continuing level youth workshop. Students take an immersive step into weeklong study, becoming young artisans along the way. Learn to fuse, cut, bend, and shape metal in this intensive introduction to stick welding, also known as arc welding, and oxy-acetylene torch cutting. Guidance will be given on the safe and effective operation of welding equipment. You will also be exposed to theory, principles, and extensive techniques that let you design and create your own independent projects.

PREREQUISITE: Youth ARC Welding I (formerly called Youth Intro to Welded Sculpture)

Youth TIG Welding I (ages 14-18)

TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding is a highly precise method of welding that makes clean and focused welds on everything from super-thin to very thick materials. You will learn the basics of TIG welding by working with mild steel. You will create sculptures that allow you to put your creativity and welding skills to use!

Youth TIG Welding II (ages 12-18)

Dive deep in this continuing level youth workshop. Students take an immersive step into weeklong study, becoming young artisans along the way. TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding is a highly precise method of welding that makes clean and focused welds on everything from super-thin to very thick materials. You will continue developing TIG welding techniques by working with mild steel. You will also be exposed to theory, principles, and extensive techniques that let you design and create your own independent projects.