In addition to the drawing class, I’m also taking a welding class. It’s a lot of fun – we’re learning both oxy-acetylene torch welding and MIG welding. Using the torch is just like soldering…but much hotter :) The MIG welder is an arc welder with a shielding gas blowing around the weld point, and it has an auto-feeding rod…it uses a pistol grip, and operates just like a hot-glue gun.
This class is focused mostly on technique and metal-working skills – cutting, bending, grinding, and welding. There is time to work on individual projects at various points in the class – the first project was to make a box with a lid, so there was lots of latitude to make what you wanted. I don’t know what the next project is, but I already have ideas for what I want to make when the class is over.
The class is held at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in the central district in Seattle. You can also rent studio access at an hourly or monthly rate, so once you know what you are doing you can keep doing it without needing to invest in all your own equipment. This saves you about $20K in toys that you don’t have to buy to setup your own metal shop ;)
I’ve some photos of us welding with torches, I’ll post them soon.