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Ok, here's the deal. I'm looking for ideas for really cool welding projects that are simple and not material intensive. I am the welding instructor for a community college, and I need some ideas for projects that will attract high school students to the program, without breaking the bank when it comes time to buy materials.So, any suggestions? Keep in mind that I looking for stuff to impress high school students. Welding tables and fixtures may be useful, but definitely not going to get their attention. I need something I can demonstrate to groups of 5 - 50 students at a time and have them get immediately interested... We're actually going to try building some very small mini pulse jets in my GTAW class this summer; it's just several pieces of different sized tubing welded together. Simple, doesn't require a fortune in materials, and lighting one off for a group of students should get their attention.Things like the Skills USA welding competition boxes = BORING. Bend tests = BORING. Shop stools = BORING. Welding tables = BORING. Get the idea?I'm also looking for projects that are boring as far as the high schoolers, but good, low material use projects for the actual students...Thank you!
Reply:Maybe something like a chain lamp?A lamp may be a bit boring, but they may think it's cool that you are using chain. Or make something else with chain. (chain isn't always cheap though)
Reply:Stuff that makes loud bangs, moves fast, or stuff thatis plain annoying to adults. That's what hounded to look at.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Damn I was going to say chain lamp lolTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Pulse jets -very cool! Do kids still have posters? Why not make some frames - round tube, square tube, or better, square on the diagonal (turned 45*) and challenge them not to have them "warp in"? Stepped corners are cool and a challenge too - like that frame in the background. All were 16ga or 14ga tube and cheap. Cube, rectangle or pyramid frames, end table size, for display pedestals (furniture) are actually useful. Give them a chance to learn about finishing too - gun blueing, or maybe that old brown oil finish - maybe on their own time. Even a little step stool can be a "keeper". Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabStuff that makes loud bangs, moves fast, or stuff thatis plain annoying to adults. That's what hounded to look at.
Reply:I forgot about Reebs' stuff. I haven't had much time to get on here lately, so I must have missed most of them. The last one I remember was the levitating person one that everyone seemed to like the female teacher in better than the project. I like the science tie-ins, so his stuff would be good. My intro to welding class covers history and electrical theory, so I have a carbon arc lamp in the classroom and neon sign transformers to "play" with arcs outside of the lab. Thanks for the ideas guys! Keep 'em coming!
Reply:If you are at all artistic, go for scrap metal art stuff. also for material, check with automotive repair, heavy equipment, 4x4 places etc. they scrap a lot of metal in interesting designs and shapes, cogs gears, chain springs etc. if you are connected with a college they will probably let you have it for free. provide a letter of donation from the college if needed. also cutoff scrap from welding shopsTiger Sales: AHP Distributor www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P, Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma. For Sale: Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun. Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Yeah I know that cutting through a set of cyl heads, engine block or something with O/A is always cool. Try workin out a deal with a salvage yard to loan some steel that is not sellable for kids to cut on, they could then réclame it after cutting and still get scrap value for the stuff. the don't loose money snd you get kids intrested in metal working. It's a win win win type of deal. Have you thought about having them build boxes like the thread here has they appear to be fun to make, just come up with a creative way to use them. Maybe as a Pan to see how diffrent chemicals react it would give you a fire proof box to test things in.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Not welded, but I blacksmithed a ~14" crowbar back in the day in middle school shop class. I still have and use that crowbar to this day. I vote for something cool that they can take home and use.
Reply:Go to you local steel business and with the schools tax Id # and see if they would donate to the program. You get some steel and the get a tax deduction or tax write off. And David R's thread on buid a box is pretty cool for beginners.Will Supports Autism Awareness My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:I've always thought a nice desk organizer a simple project.. if they are good, make it out of aluminum diamond plate, if not, steel is real. If made of steel, spray paint silver or black, etc...Have a few 'containers' welded together.. pencil bin, note bin, slots for incoming mail, perhaps a holder for a stapler, place to store stamps, etc... for hints, look on the shelves at your local office supply store. Lots of ideas there. ( do a google image sort on "metal desktop organizer" ) A couple of ideas:Maybe have one seam oxy/acet welded, one seam stick, one seam MIG, add a braze joint or two, etc... Might be a good way to standardize the project so folks have to weld a multitude of different joints and techniques, and they have something to bring home. You could also have a few bent seams in there, give folks a reason to use a brake / bender, shear, etc...the key is they have something to bring home.. --zipLast edited by zipzit; 04-26-2012 at 01:43 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by kcb37Maybe something like a chain lamp?A lamp may be a bit boring, but they may think it's cool that you are using chain. Or make something else with chain. (chain isn't always cheap though)
Reply:Bistineau I think your actually where the idea came from.Gonna be making one for myself here well probably this weekend. Just need everything but the chain. I do have a thought for you though. I recall reading about one someone else had put together, or maybe a table (irrelevant anyway). Using something to wrap the chain around start with the base laying flat on the ground/table/whatever. Tac/weld it all in place, and work your way up. Should be stable as long as the base is big enough.
Reply:First thing that came to mind was a nicely formed and welded slingshot made using tubing.Downhill derby racer (no motor/propulsion, just gravity) would be cool if you could scrounge together parts.High school students (especially guys) tend to be pretty excited about having their first crack at driving and in some cases owning a car. What about showing off replacing rusted out sheet metal with new sheet metal to inspire any of the kids hoping to turn their old hand-me-downs or seen-better-days muscle cars into cool rides.
Reply:More good ideas... Thanks! One of the areas I have been planning on expanding in my program is the ornamental iron worker certificate we offer. I just got a large roof built outside our shop, and am going to set up a forge and iron working area out there. I never had the covered space to do it before. What I really need is to find someone willing to donate a small power hammer - a little giant would be perfect! (Any takers?)I do have some materials connections, but in this economy they're pretty tight with them. Most of what I get is drops from laser tables, or really damaged sheets from steel shops.
Reply:Need a power hammer? Build one. I know I came across plans for them several places. Overall they didn't look all that hard to build. I'll look around and see if I can't dig up a link or two later.I forgot about the sling shot. I bent and welded one up in metal shop in Jr high. Not sure if you can do one now days with the ban on "weapons" in most schools..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:How about a vortex cannon: http://www.wimp.com/vortexcannon/ Relatively simple to make, gets attention and is safe since there are no projectiles fired.Miller Dynasty 200 DXBuildPro TMA52238 (38" x 22")Miller MP-10 & Jackson Nexgen EQC20 Ton Press & Swag HD Press Brake
Reply:Originally Posted by kcb37Bistineau I think your actually where the idea came from.Gonna be making one for myself here well probably this weekend. Just need everything but the chain. I do have a thought for you though. I recall reading about one someone else had put together, or maybe a table (irrelevant anyway). Using something to wrap the chain around start with the base laying flat on the ground/table/whatever. Tac/weld it all in place, and work your way up. Should be stable as long as the base is big enough.
Reply:Teams of 3-4 kids each, building "soap box" racing type frames. Have a competition at the end for a shop made trophy that gets their names letter stamped into for all time. Or build trophies. One of the guys in my weld class made a trophy from a broken piston and gave it to the one that spent the most amount of their student loan on booze. It was the "Pi$$ed and Broke" award. Swinging shooting targets. Hunting tree stand. Compressed air/water bottle rocket thingy that someone posted on here a while ago. Rifle by-pod.Tadpole trike( three wheel, recumbent bicycle, look up at www.atomiczombie.com)Forged bbq tools.Tool boxes.Land yacht ( us a tarp for a cheap sail)Mini canon ( shoot a 1/2" bearing)Trebuchet Catapult Rolling ball machinelounge chair.Desk and chair. sling shotwater bong(whoops.....inside voice......)coffee tablecandle abra hunting or folding knife from old files or car springsfishing downrigger or pot(fishing......) puller.clay duck target throwerelectric scooterbar stool racerand this is just a sample from my "to-do" list.........200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:I am the welding leader for our local 4H, the kids in my group are younger than yours, but here is a partial list of projects over the last few years'Bootjack, made of old horseshoesBootscraper, made from an old disc blade for the base, sucker rod and scrap flat for the scraperHorseshoe napkinholdersVarious "animals", horseshoe armadillos, rebar snakes, horseshoe butterfies/birds, etc.Lawn ornaments, rebar tractors,hubcap flowers,horseshoe treesFirewood rack made from a salvaged hayfeederWinebottle rack from railroad spikesThe common element I push is recycling/repurposing. In 5 years of doing this, none of the kids have spent over $10 for their project, and that was on paint. We dig through my scrap pile, and when we ask local farmers, farriers, and shops, they are more than glad to help the kids out. ALL comment "at least they are not on the computer/tv/playing video games." It has been my experience that any useful trinket will build confidence. Good luck!
Reply:Originally Posted by dhemHow about a vortex cannon: http://www.wimp.com/vortexcannon/ Relatively simple to make, gets attention and is safe since there are no projectiles fired.
Reply:do they ride bikes where you live? some places like at the beach bikes are still very popular with the young crowd. if so make some some custom bikes with small front wheels and ape handle bars and low slung framesbobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:A lot of high school kids are into BMX. Designing and building BMX bikes might interest them.
Reply:how about a cold air intake system for a car?bobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welderI've got a project in mind, simple yet challenging. I'd like to make some simple lights for the gate entrance at my ranchita. I've got AC 110 out there and I'm thinking a piece of thin sheet material, plasma cut a design to let the light out, hand roll it up into a cylinder of maybe 8-9" diameter and about a foot long and add a base and fixture to attach it to the wall. I've not made any of these yet, but it doesn't look too hard... base could be a horseshoe or two Always add a horseshoe or two if ya' can.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by TubularFabOk, here's the deal. I'm looking for ideas for really cool welding projects that are simple and not material intensive. I am the welding instructor for a community college, and I need some ideas for projects that will attract high school students to the program, without breaking the bank when it comes time to buy materials.So, any suggestions? Keep in mind that I looking for stuff to impress high school students. Welding tables and fixtures may be useful, but definitely not going to get their attention. I need something I can demonstrate to groups of 5 - 50 students at a time and have them get immediately interested... We're actually going to try building some very small mini pulse jets in my GTAW class this summer; it's just several pieces of different sized tubing welded together. Simple, doesn't require a fortune in materials, and lighting one off for a group of students should get their attention.Things like the Skills USA welding competition boxes = BORING. Bend tests = BORING. Shop stools = BORING. Welding tables = BORING. Get the idea?I'm also looking for projects that are boring as far as the high schoolers, but good, low material use projects for the actual students...Thank you!
Reply:You might be able to figure something out from this. Lots of ideas here. Some cheap, some not so cheap.Cool welding projectsMillermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Was wonderin' when IronHeart, the KING of SCRAP was going to chime in! Print ALL his pics and tape them to the wall - seriously(!) - who knows WHAT the kids will come up with! Heck, he's even inspired ME! And I don't have any of that kinda scrap.Bert has a GR8 list, but not enough pics to inspire. And Rancher76's comment "... they are more than glad to help the kids out. ALL comment "at least they are not on the computer/tv/playing video games." is even true around here! Neighborhood kids ages 5-15 keep asking me to "play" with them with my "toys"! Love to make stuff!
Reply:Simple..E-Z..No filler needed..http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ighlight=dudes...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:The best thing we did in welding class was boxes about 2" along each side. We then drilled and welded a spigot onto one side and pressurized them with water. The contest is to see what pressure your box can get to before it yields. The boxes bow out a lot if you've done it right then you get a tiny water jet from the first point to yield.The refinement is to make one box like that, fully airtight, then another larger box (about 30% larger) which you put the smaller box into. You then weld on the spigot and see what pressure your boxes can hold. If it goes well, the outside box bows and swells, the inner one gets crushed inwards.It's safe, the students get a hoot out of whose box holds the greatest pressure and the materials are cheap. The biggest thing though is it gets across the concept of performance welding. I'll dig out my crushed inner box and take a pic of it today.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fabn4FunBert has a GR8 list, but not enough pics to inspire.
Reply:PERFECT!!! Originally Posted by zapsterSimple..E-Z..No filler needed..http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ighlight=dudes...zap!
Reply:weight bench and/or squat rack
Reply:Like extra credit? That's what this one got me in general cultural anthropology class. Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by kazlxA lot of high school kids are into BMX. Designing and building BMX bikes might interest them.
Reply:How about something useful, not as artistic as others, but useful..........A crank handle to raise/lower the headstock on a RF-30 round column mill. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Most of those projects look good for the existing students, but not sure they have the cool factor for metro Atlanta high school students... Need something with serious wow factor, and the art isn't going to do it. Actually, I guess a good idea is to build a bunch of the projects mentioned to hav on display as the students tour through on their visit days. I get on average 5 minutes to tell them how cool welding is before they are pulled from my classroom to visit another such as Motorsports, where they fire up a petty racing stock car and pull off the wow factor... My point when talking to these kids is stress how many directions welding can take you - so maybe a display of a wide array of such projects is the ticket.Thanks for all the input! Keep them coming if you think of others!
Reply:Why not use the motorsports theme? A decent running motor, can't be too hard to cOme by. Build a run stand for it, build a crazy exhaust, and beat the auto shop at their own game. Especially if they come to you first. Exhaust tubing is cheap build some zoomies and have the motor belching fire out of the exhaust. Explain that a welder built the exhaust, the run stand and add in some decretive gussets and such. Once my CNC plasma is running I would not mind donating a few gussets, or even a flange to build the headers off of. I could use the practice anyway.I know budgets for schools are tight, but talk to torchmate and plasmacam, and see about getting a machine donated. Have it pre set up to run a gusset used on the run stand and fire it off and cut it while the students are comeing in to see what you have to offer.I know it's a little over the top, but with donations it could be possable.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Another idea, how big of a Stick welder do you have? Carbon arc is cool, or maybe a thermal lance through an engine block. Just tossing out ideas. Kids love destroying stuff. (my slogan is "kids distroy everything") make a big production of it, and they will be hooked.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by TubularFab I get on average 5 minutes to tell them how cool welding is before they are pulled from my classroom to visit another such as Motorsports, where they fire up a petty racing stock car and pull off the wow factor... My point when talking to these kids is stress how many directions welding can take you - so maybe a display of a wide array of such projects is the ticket.Thanks for all the input! Keep them coming if you think of others!
Reply:Originally Posted by AngusdogThe biggest thing though is it gets across the concept of performance welding. I'll dig out my crushed inner box and take a pic of it today.
Reply:Originally Posted by AngusdogThe attached photo shows the inner box, crushed by the hydraulic pressure. As mentioned before, the outer box bows outwards substantially while this one goes inwards.It's a simple exercise (rather than a project) which we did in one evening class, but as mentioned before, there's a bit of competition as to whose boxes reach the highest pressure before failing. Mine did alright; I think there was one bloke whose boxes reached about 10% higher pressure before failure. I think it would be great for students of any age.
Reply:How about a 4 inch monster trailer lift? Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:24:37