Homeschool Enrichment: Introduction to Welding (SMAW WELDING)

Cost: $159

Date and Time:

Date: February 24, March 3,10 and 17
Time: Tuesdays 1:30 - 4:00 PM

Location: Fairhope Academy

Ages 12 - 18

*Registration information must be the students information, not the parents.

** Deadline to Register is February 17. (Non-Negotiable)

Course Overview:

 This class will require student provide their own auto darkening welding helmet and premium welding gloves. Location: Academy at the Fairhope Airport Course Overview This 4-week introductory welding course emphasizes hands-on skill development while maintaining essential safety and cutting knowledge. Safety orientation, oxyfuel cutting, and plasma arc cutting are completed in Week 1, allowing the remaining weeks to focus heavily on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) using E6010 and E7018 electrodes. Students will develop proficiency in running beads and producing fillet welds through extensive lab practice. --- Week-by-Week Outline Week 1: Welding Safety, Oxyfuel Cutting, & Plasma Arc Cutting (Short classroom sessions / extended lab time) · Welding processes overview and shop orientation · Welding safety: PPE, hazards, ventilation, fire prevention · Welding terms · Oxyfuel equipment setup, operation, and safety · Hands-on practice: oxyfuel cutting (ferrous and non-ferrous metals) · Plasma arc cutting (PAC): setup, operation, and safety · Hands-on practice: plasma cutting · Comparison of oxyfuel vs. plasma cutting Outcome: Students safely operate cutting equipment and demonstrate proper shop safety before arc welding. --- Week 2: Introduction to SMAW & E6010 Welding (Majority lab time) · SMAW equipment and machine setup · Polarity, amperage, arc length, and electrode angles · Introduction to E6010 electrodes: characteristics and applications · Proper electrode handling and storage · Hands-on welding: o Striking and maintaining an arc o Running straight stringer beads o Restarting welds · Troubleshooting common E6010 defects Outcome: Students run consistent E6010 beads with proper penetration. --- Week 3: E7018 Welding & Bead Control (Heavy welding lab emphasis) · Introduction to E7018 electrodes · Differences between E7018 and E6010 · Proper use of E7018 for fill and cover passes · Heat control, bead profile, and slag removal · Hands-on welding: o Beads using E7018 o Multiple-pass welds o Position practice as time allows · Troubleshooting bead appearance and fusion issues Outcome: Students demonstrate controlled, clean welds using E7018. --- Week 4: Fillet Welds & Final Practical Project (Maximum hood-down time) · Fillet weld theory and joint preparation · Fillet weld techniques and positioning · Hands-on welding: o Fillet welds using E6010 (root) and E7018 (fill/cap) o Practice on T-joints and lap joints · Final welding project integrating all skills · Review, evaluation, and preparation for advanced welding coursework Outcome: Students produce acceptable fillet welds and complete a final practical assessment. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with foundational welding knowledge, practical skills in different cutting methods, and the ability to perform basic SMAW tasks with confidence and safety.