Advanced MIG Welding

Take your welding skills to a hobby level in this advanced MIG welding course designed for experienced welders who are comfortable with basic and intermediate welding techniques. Through hands-on instruction and challenging fabrication projects, students will refine their welding precision, expand their technical knowledge, and develop the skills needed for more complex fabrication.

The instructor will guide students through advanced MIG welding processes, including welding in multiple positions, controlling distortion, advanced joint design and preparation, material-specific techniques, and optimizing machine settings for a variety of applications. Students will further develop their fabrication skills using shop equipment such as the plasma cutter, grinders, and layout tools while working on projects that require a higher level of accuracy and craftsmanship.

Emphasis will be placed on weld quality, efficiency, troubleshooting, and industry-related best practices. Students will learn to evaluate their own work, identify weld discontinuities, and make adjustments to achieve structurally sound, visually appealing welds. Each participant will complete an advanced fabrication project that demonstrates their welding proficiency and can be taken home for use or display.

Students must wear appropriate work clothes, including leather, closed-toe shoes or boots, a long-sleeved cotton or wool shirt or jacket, lightweight leather work gloves or gauntlet welding gloves, and safety glasses. No synthetic fabrics are allowed. A welding cap or suitable lightweight cotton head covering under the welding hood is recommended. Equipment and supplies will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own welding helmet if desired (a limited number of loaner helmets are available through our tool room).

By the end of the course, students will have the confidence and technical ability to tackle complex welding and fabrication projects while producing quality welds that meet advanced workmanship standards.

Note: Prior to the first day of class, an email will be sent out containing the Weld Shop Safety Agreement. Students will be using the BTC Weld Shop for their learning experience.