Welding Classes Chicago - Intro To Welding

Intro To Welding

with Vincent Hawkins

77 Have Dabbled

ABOUT THIS EVENT

Event Category

Arts & DIY

Event Overview

In this class, students will learn basic techniques for welding steel.

A standard vocational welding course takes 6 months to a year to complete. However, it is possible in a 3-hour class to gain enough information to safely operate simple welding equipment. Once armed with this knowledge, students are free to explore the subject on their own. Students will get a chance to try their hand in arc welding processes. We will also talk a little about metallurgy, shop setup, and purchasing welding supplies.

What to Bring

A lot of information will be covered so students need to bring a notebook. Students should also wear heavy cotton clothing. (blue jeans and long sleeve shirt. ), leather shoes or boots (leather not pleather.. check it), and long hair should be tied up.

Minimum age

All ages welcome

What's Provided

The Fire Arts Center will provide welding gases, arc welding equipment, and safety equipment

Cancellation Policy

Location

There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this Dabble. Log in to an account message the host or add to your bucket list to be automatically notified when new dates are posted.

MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST

Vincent Hawkins

Vincent has been a figure sculptor and instructor for over 20 years. He has worked as an instructor at the Evanston art Center and the Fire Arts Center in foundry, figure sculpture, metals and furniture design.

He received his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and BFA from Tyler School of Art. He received the Polochak Figure Sculpture Award in 1987 for his work. He also has experience as a army medic, survival training expert and martial arts instructor.

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EXPERIENCE REVIEWS

Paul M.
Reviewed on 09/26/19

Fire Arts was a little hard to find; there’s no sign for their business and their entrance is around the corner from the street address . But once I got that sorted with the cider people (who share part of the building), it was time to get welding! Well, not quite: first a discussion on types of welding (interesting) and safety (always good). Then finally the fun part, hands-on. The instructor really knew his stuff and was always ready to offer advice on how to improve. I’ll never be a welder, but it was time well spent.

Fire Arts was a little hard to find; there’s no sign for their business and their entrance is around the corner from the street address . But once I got that sorted with the cider people (who share part of the building), it was time to get welding! Well, not quite: first a discussion on types of welding (interesting) and safety (always good). Then finally the fun part, hands-on. The instructor really knew his stuff and was always ready to offer advice on how to improve. I’ll never be a welder, but it was time well spent.
Catherine B.
Reviewed on 08/26/19

Great class with interesting discussion of the chemical aspects of welding PLUS cool hands-on experience. This'll make you appreciate the skill it takes construction workers to weld! The instructor is knowledgeable and is interested in the tie-ins between welding and art (lots of interesting conversation there). I definitely recommend this class.

Great class with interesting discussion of the chemical aspects of welding PLUS cool hands-on experience. This'll make you appreciate the skill it takes construction workers to weld! The instructor is knowledgeable and is interested in the tie-ins between welding and art (lots of interesting conversation there). I definitely recommend this class.
Donna M.
Reviewed on 04/04/19

Great class. I wanted just an overview of the welding process for me and my son and it was just how I expected. (You will need to practice to become proficient.) I felt that the class was just right in time, as the teacher went over the technical aspects of the welding process and then we got to weld. Know before you go that the entrance to get in is around the corner of the building's address (off Cortland Ave) where you go up some stairs to the steel door. My son went with me and could not stop talking afterwards about the tricks he did to get his welds started. I am going to buy a home welding unit just for us to practice. Don't bring something to try to repair there, you will not have the time. We only had three students in our class and everyone got a chance to weld. I will be signing up for another class with Vincent. Oh yea, it is very dusty and dirty there, so wear jeans and clothes you can get dirty in.

Great class. I wanted just an overview of the welding process for me and my son and it was just how I expected. (You will need to practice to become proficient.) I felt that the class was just right in time, as the teacher went over the technical aspects of the welding process and then we got to weld. Know before you go that the entrance to get in is around the corner of the building's address (off Cortland Ave) where you go up some stairs to the steel door. My son went with me and could not stop talking afterwards about the tricks he did to get his welds started. I am going to buy a home welding unit just for us to practice. Don't bring something to try to repair there, you will not have the time. We only had three students in our class and everyone got a chance to weld. I will be signing up for another class with Vincent. Oh yea, it is very dusty and dirty there, so wear jeans and clothes you can get dirty in.