ADVANCED METAL SHAPING WORKSHOPS
In response to requests from students, we developed an Advanced Metal Fabrication Workshop for people who wish to continue to develop and expand skills learned in Metal Fabrication Workshop I. The workshop quickly became popular, and continues as an annual offering. In this workshop we take the skills learned in the first workshop and apply them to a more challenging project similar to those found in an actual shop. The parts are shaped using a buck and then gas welded and metal finished.
Due to the nature of the craft and the need for continual practice and skill development, we encourage students to attend the Advanced Workshop on multiple visits to enhance and continue their professional growth.
Course prerequisite: we require that the student attend Metal Fabrication Workshop 1 prior to attending the Advanced Workshop. It is also essential that the student has practiced the skills taught in the first workshop in order to gain maximum benefit from the course.
Benefits Include
- Four-to-one student/teacher ratio provides valuable one-on-one attention and mentoring;
- Increased technical ability and productivity;
- More efficient use of shop tools, supplies and equipment;
- familiarity with the design, construction, and use of bucks;
- A more effective approach to intermediate and advanced metal fabrication projects.
Advanced Metal Shaping Project
Students will fabricate a small, aluminum car fender from multiple pieces using a buck. If the student would like to bring their own buck to work off of instead it is allowed. Any outside student projects must be approved by the instructor before the class.
Welding
Continuation of demonstration, exercises and practice in gas and some TIG welding. Students will achieve a higher level of welding expertise in this course for use in the automotive, motorcycle, aircraft or metal sculpture industries.
Pattern Development & Layout
How to create and transfer patterns for finished metal components. Marking, fitting and transferring patterns are the foundation of high-quality body panels. Significant time is devoted to the thorough explanation and demonstration of these skills.
Advanced Metal Shaping
Shaping metal with specialized equipment such as: shrinkers and stretchers, shot bags, forming/flanging heads and English wheels are demonstrated, taught and applied in a hands-on environment. A variety of English wheels, including full-size and custom-designed wheels are available for students to use for practice and project development periods.
Large Sheet Metal Equipment
Sheet metal brakes, sheet metal rollers and beaders, bandsaw and metal shear are available for use and discussion.
Workshop Design
To ensure individual attention for every participant, we enroll a maximum of 4 students per workshop. The workshop meets three consecutive days from 8:30 am until a good stopping point is reached, with a one hour lunch break. Workshops are held at our facility in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
|