Western Welding Academy

This course teaches Shielded Metal Arc Welding for beginners. Students learn the following skills:

Use and care of welding tools.
Intro to Shielded Metal Arc Welding.
Proper electrode storage.
Proper electrode sizing and selection.
Arc strikes, shielding gas, hydrogen cracking.
Base metal grading and selection.
Amperage/Voltage ranges, Travel speed, Heat inputs.
How to read and understand a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
Welding machine set-up for the Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process.
Proper base metal preparation for welding.
Body positioning techniques when welding with SMAW.
Fillet weld measurements, fit-up, and welding techniques.
Weld defects and acceptance criteria for AWS D1.1 structural steel code.
Intro to V-groove welds, electrode selection, and industry uses.
V-groove welding techniques for all positions.
Oxy-fuel torch set-up and cutting techniques.
Destructive Testing techniques of V-groove welds, industry methods, and specimen preparation in accordance to the applicable code or standard.

More Courses

Welder 2 – SMAW Pipe Welder Course

Students are provided all the basic tools needed to complete the course, however, students are expected to bring all of the tools that are required for Welder I as well. Students learn how to weld pipe with SMAW on all sizes of pipe, from 8” to 2” in the booth and in the pipe rack simulator. Upon completion, students are certified to AWS specifications in accordance with ASME Section IX and receive a course completion certificate.

Welder 3 – GTAW Pipe Welder Course

This course teaches Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/SMAW)COMBO welding on pipe. Students are provided all the GTAW welding tools needed (including TIG torch) to complete the course, however, tools that are not stated on their Welder III tool list must be purchased by the student. Students learn how to weld pipe with SMAW on all sizes of pipe, from 8” to 2” in the booth and in the pipe rack simulator. Upon completion, students are certified to AWS specifications in accordance with ASME Section IX and receive a course completion certificate.

Welder 4 – Advanced SMAW DOWWN HILL & GTAW STAINLESS Pipe Welding

Students are provided all the welding tools needed to complete the course, however, any other tools needed that are not stated on their Welder IV tool list must be purchased by the student. Students learn how to weld pipe with GTAW and SMAW on all sizes of pipe, from 16” to 2”. Upon completion, students are certified to AWS specifications in accordance with ASME section IX and receive a course completion certificate.

WELDER 5 - OUR Professional Pipe Welder Course!

Our most popular course! No experience required. This combined course is a 6-month training program of “Welder 1-4”, tailored to people interested in a pipe welding career. This is our main program that shapes and builds the next generation of pipe welders. This includes: Work ethic, job site safety, communication skills, and financial training to build top-notch, solid employees.