Best Welding Classes Near Me
Welding is a commonly-used technique that combines metal under intense heat. It’s often used in construction and manufacturing. In addition, it’s used to create sculptures, rings, and other fine materials. There are many uses for welding, and the best way to learn how to weld is by taking a welding class.
Welding classes are available to beginners, intermediate students, and experienced welders to help you refine your skills, learn new techniques, and hone your craft. Since welding can be dangerous without the proper equipment, taking a class gives you the right tools, guidance, and supervision to learn welding in a safe environment.
Why You Should Learn Welding
Welding is a valuable skill used in construction, manufacturing, engineering, metalworking, and art. Some industries, like construction, see welding as a valuable and sought-after skill. By learning to weld, you can open up a wide range of career options.
Here’s how you can use welding in a career:
- Welding inspector
- Engineering
- Construction
- Structural steel welder
- Jeweler
- Plumber
Welding is a great hobby as well. You can use welding to create DIY projects in your home, create gifts for families, and fix simple metal objects. If you enjoy problem-solving, then welding will be a satisfying skill to learn. In addition, you’ll be able to save money by repairing and building projects on your own. It’s a unique skill that’s worth knowing.
5 Ways to Learn Welding
Welding is a rewarding skill, and there are many ways for you to learn how to weld. Here are some of the best ways to learn to weld.
- In-person classes: Taking an in-person class is a great choice if you want to learn it as a hobby. You’ll get 1-on-1 instruction from a professional welder who will help you safely learn the skill.
- Online classes: You might not be able to find many online classes that teach welding. However, if you’re comfortable learning welding independently, then online classes will help you learn from the comfort of your home.
- Trade schools: If you want to begin a career focused on welding, then going to a trade school is your best option.
- On-the-job training: Another good option for those who want to learn welding for their career is on-the-job training. You can start as an apprentice and learn the skills directly.
- Self-taught: You can find tutorials through online videos and teach yourself how to weld. Before teaching yourself, make sure you have the right equipment and take safe approaches.
There are many ways to learn to weld. You’ll get the best experience by attending in-person classes or a professional school. However, the end decision depends on your welding goals. For example, if you want to learn to weld as a career, starting as an apprentice or attending a trade school is a good choice. On the other hand, if you want to learn to weld as a hobby, then take a one-time class to learn the basics.
In-Person Welding Classes
Taking an in-person welding class is a great opportunity to learn the essentials of welding from a professional. This ensures you have the proper equipment and learn safety skills. Course Horse offers in-person welding classes in New York City, Atlanta, and other cities. Here are some of the welding classes you can take.
New York City Welding Classes
There are several in-person welding classes in NYC. For example, you can take the Introduction to Oxy-Acetylene Welding course through the Michelle Greene Sculpture. The class meets once for two hours and has an average class size of only two people for those ages 18 and up. Since the classes are so small, you’ll get 1-on-1 instruction and demonstrations from expert instruction.
You’ll learn to light a torch, set a flame, and run a bead during the class. You’ll also learn how to braze and create a small sculpture to take home. With the sculpture, you can display jewelry or hold candles. The class is open to beginners, but those with welding experience will also learn new skills or refresh skills they already know.
Michelle Greene Sculpture also offers a Mig Welding class for ages 14 and up. Similar to the other class from Michelle Greene Sculpture, the Mig Welding class has seats for two people. Students will have hands-on experience learning how to use a mig welder. In the class, you’ll learn to set the machine, tack, and run a bead. Then, you'll create a unique small sculpture as you learn to use the materials.
Since you’ll be handling burning metal and flame during the class, you’ll have to be conscious about what you wear to the class. The class description requests that you wear closed-toe leather or suede shoes, cotton socks, and a long-sleeved shirt. In addition, the class provides welding gear and gloves.
Another class from Michelle Greene Sculpture is the Introduction to Tig Welding on Steel course. It meets one time for three hours and is open to two people. The class takes place in a studio with a wall of open windows and excellent ventilation. During the sessions, students will learn to use a TIG machine, focusing on technique. Some of the skills that you’ll learn include:
- How to choose the right tungsten for the job
- Set the gauge
- Use the foot pedal
- How to weld
You’ll also learn how to set up a welding shop and the pros and cons of TIG welding. Although this class is open to beginners, it’s recommended that you take a prerequisite class beforehand. Some class options include Mig Welding.
Craftsman Ave in NYC offers a class called Make a Steel Planter Box (Welding/Metal Fabrication). The course is open to anyone over the age of 18 and is best for beginners. In the class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of metal fabrication and welding as you build a metal planter. The course is open for one evening, but you’ll learn all the skills needed to create a small minimalist planter. In addition, you’ll practice your skills and create custom art to take home.
You’ll get hands-on time with the MIG welder, angle grinders, and other hand tools. The class lasts for four hours. In addition, all of the tools and supplies are provided in the class. Simply come ready to learn.
If you’re interested in using welding to create small and precise art pieces, consider taking the Weld a Steel Rose course from Craftsman Ave. During the workshop, you’ll learn how to create a delicate metal rose from steel. You’ll start by preparing the metal petals and engraving them if you’d like. Then, you can etch notes on the petals or leave them plain.
Next, you’ll use MIG welding to attach the rose’s petals to the stem and use an open-flame torch to shape the petals. Each student will be able to take home one rose. If there’s time, you can try creating a second rose. The class is open to beginners from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Craftsman Ave also offers a Date Night: Make a Steel Planter Box class. This four-hour class is open to beginners. You will join the class as a couple and get a pizza and a bottle of wine to share during the workshop. You’ll learn how to build a small metal planter during the class. The class offers a hands-on introduction to metal fabrication as you practice cutting, welding, and grinding to create a small minimalist planter.
Atlanta Welding Classes
Those living in Atlanta, Georgia, can take a Beginning Welding Workshop. The class has an average size of seven people, which means you’ll get 1-on-1 instruction from the two teachers. In the course, you’ll learn introductory welding skills. When you enter the class, you’ll be given a pre-cut angle iron and weld them using the Oxy Acetylene Welder and MIG Welder. During the course, you’ll create a cell phone or tablet holder.
The class provides safety glasses and work gloves and requests that you bring a water bottle and work apron. You’ll also need to wear comfortable clothes, such as jeans or sweatpants, as well as a light long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes.
Corrina Sephora Studios offers a Weekend Welding Workshop that includes three sessions. Over the course of the three sessions, you’ll create a small sculpture. You can join the class even if you don’t have any prior experience with welding. If you’ve already taken the welding class, you can use the time to create more advanced sculptures and projects. Here’s what you’ll learn during each of the three sessions:
- The first welding session: During the first class, you’ll be introduced to the instructor and watch a welding demo. You’ll also come up with welding ideas for
- The second welding session: The second class will have guided studio work time, demos, and learning new techniques.
- The third welding session: During the final class, you’ll complete the projects and show off your work to the rest of the class. You’ll also discuss the creative process.
You’ll need to bring a water bottle and a work apron. The studio will provide safety glasses and work gloves.
Classes Similar to Welding
Course Horse offers classes that teach skills similar to welding. For example, in LA, you can take a Beginning Sewing class from The Workshop @ Haley Solar. It has an average class size of four people, so students will get lots of 1-on-1 help. You’ll learn how to thread, how to unthread, and how to sew a tote bag from start to finish.
In Chicago, you can take a Stained Glass Workshop to learn to create beautiful stained glass art. You will cut and break glass as you create your project using the copper foil method. During the class sessions, you will learn about the type and quality of glass, appropriate tools, and how to assemble it. At the end of the class, you’ll leave with a completed project.
In Boston, Scott’s Stone Carving Classes offer Stone Carving Saturdays. The class starts at 9:30 am and ends at 2:30 pm, giving you half the day to start and finish your stone carving. In the class, you’ll be guided through the process of finding inspiration, carving the stone, planning a carving, and using stone carving tools. In addition, the instructors will demonstrate the skills that you’ll learn and discuss stone carving lore. There is also a bring-your-own-stone option if you have a past project that you want to finish.
In New York, you can take a Craft a Side Table (Woodworking/Furniture Making). The class is open to beginners, and you’ll learn how to craft a contemporary and minimalist side table from oak and classic half-lap joints. Learning to craft your own furniture is a fun and valuable skill. You will also get hands-on experience with a miter saw, a router table, a table saw, and a belt sander.
Course Horse also offers classes in Nashville, Seattle, San Francisco, and other cities. If you need help finding a welding class in your area, reach out to Course Horse. Course Horse will help you find the best classes for your interests.
Virtual Welding Classes
Welding classes are better when taken in person since you’ll be in a studio specific to welding. The class will also provide the tools and materials you need to safely perform the task.
Course Horse offers a wide variety of online classes. However, Course Horse doesn’t currently offer virtual welding classes. Instead, consider taking a class like Hammered Earring (Virtual Private). It takes place in a virtual classroom and has an average class size of just two people. You’ll have a private class where the instructor will show you how to make a jump ring, how to forge, solder, and make findings for the earring and finishing.
You will attend a live demonstration of how to make earrings. There will also be an open forum for questions and answers. During the class, the instructor will discuss materials and techniques.
Check back regularly with Course Horse to find upcoming welding and jewelry-making classes. You can also find a class that you want to take in the future and add it to your wish list. Then, when the class becomes available, you’ll be notified.
Private Group Welding Classes
Businesses and organizations can provide private classes as team-building events. For example, if your group is interested in learning to weld, check out Course Horse’s welding classes for private groups. If Course Horse doesn’t currently have the class you’re looking for, you can reach out through the contact form on their site and learn about the options available.
Course Horse offers some classes that are similar to welding. For example, your group can take the NYC In-Person: Glass Etching course. You can book the class for up to 60 people and create how to etch glass. During the class, you’ll learn the following:
- How to make creative and cool designs on glass
- How to create stencils with an x-acto knife and a cutting board
- How to transfer designs permanently on glass using etching solution
The beginner-friendly class will provide all the necessary materials, including two glasses, etching solution, brushes, and stencils. You’ll leave with both of your glass creations at the end of the class.
Another class is the Virtual Clay Hand Building (Materials Included). This class offers a private, interactive workshop that is led by a private instructor. You will learn basic pottery hand-building techniques to create a planter or a candle holder. The clay will air dry so you won’t need to wait for a kiln to fire the clay.
The course is completely beginner-friendly and perfect for groups as a team-building event. The class provides all of the materials, including two pounds of professional grade, air-drying clay, a modeling tool, a wire clay cutter, a needle tool, a sponge, and other clay-molding tools.
You can contact Course Horse if you have any questions about classes that are available for private groups.
What Will I Need to Learn Welding?
You will need several tools to learn to weld. If you aren’t sure whether welding is something you want to pursue, take a one-day welding class. This will help you learn the basics of welding and help you decide whether to commit to a longer welding class. To begin welding, you’ll need several tools, calling the following:
- Welding helmet with auto-darkening
- Welding gloves
- MIG welding pliers
- Welding magnets
- Chipping hammer
- Welding framing jig
- Metal brush
- And more
If you take an in-person welding class, the instructor will provide all the necessary materials and tools. You’ll also be shown how to use the tools safely.
Is it Difficult to Learn Welding?
Learning welding can be difficult, especially if you have no experience. However, with practice, patience, and a willingness to learn, you’ll be able to become more familiar with the roles and equipment.
The initial learning curve of welding requires learning new terminology, safety procedures, and techniques. To learn these new skills, it’s best to take a course from an experienced instructor. The instructor will be able to guide you with 1-on-1 help to help you learn how to weld in a safe and forgiving environment.
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