Welding 101

A word about tanks

Interested in tooling up for oxyacetylene brazing, gas cutting or MIG welding? You need to understand the world of compressed-gas cylinders.

The first and simplest approach involves owning your own cylinders and having them filled (or exchanged for full ones) at a welding-supply outlet. This is usually possible only for the smallest cylinders (up to about 24″ tall). These are easily portable, but they run out quickly. If you want to go larger, you’ll need to rent cylinders as well as pay for the gas that fills them. Cost of shielding gas for a MIG welder runs about $60 to $90 for 49″-tall cylinders (plus about $85 per year for the tank rental). Oxygen for this size of tank costs $40, and $90 for a corresponding tank of acetylene.

Where to learn to weld

My first welding experience came in Grade 8 and, to be honest, I wasn’t so keen. The shop was hot and smelly, and my mind was boggled by the tools. Translation? I ruined my plantholder by holding the tip of the torch for too long in the same place. However, it was a different story 20 years later, when I signed up for a night class in art metalwork. I wanted to make some functional art, and over nine weeks, the easygoing instructor helped me to realize my vision–a coat rack in the form of an alien spine.

Whether you want to make artwork, build furniture or do repairs, a course in welding can give you skills to apply to projects. Here’s a sampling of places where you can learn how to bend, shape, cut and bind metal. And if you don’t live in one of the following cities, your best bet to find a beginner welding class is to get in touch with your local community college or the continuing education department of your district school board. –Bob Sexton

Vancouver
British Columbia Institute of Technology
604-434-1610
www.bcit.ca

Calgary
Chinook Learning Services
Calgary Board of Education
403-777-7200
www.chinooklearningservices.com

Sasktoon
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
866-467-4278
www.siast.sk.ca

Winnipeg
Winnipeg Technical College
204-989-6500
www.wtc.mb.ca

Toronto
Toronto District School Board
Continuing Education
416-338-4000
www.learn4life.ca

Montreal
Institut Technique Aviron de Montréal
514-739-3010
www.avirontech.com

Moncton
New Brunswick Community College
800-664-1477
www.nbcc.ca

Halifax
Nova Scotia Community College
866-679-6722
www.nscc.ns.ca

Charlottetown
Holland College
800-446-5265
www.hollandc.pe.ca

St. John’s
College of the North Atlantic
888-982-2268
www.cna.nl.ca

If you want to be prepared for class, there are a few items you can gather for your first day:

– Locking pliers
– Work gloves
– Welding goggles
– Measuring tape
– Needlenose pliers
– Safety boots
– 100 per cent cotton coveralls